The NCAA Track and Field Championships is one of the most exciting events in Eugene, but this year took a dark turn when an attendee went into cardiac arrest. Fortunately, a team of highly trained EMTs and paramedics jumped into action.
Of the five-person Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) crew who responded, four were alumni of Lane’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program: Kyle Morris, Beatriz Delos Reyes, Erez Steinberg, and Raleigh Taylor. Taylor now also teaches in the program at Lane.
Reyes described what went through her head at the time: “Initially, my first thought was, ‘What happened?’ I started going through possibilities. When I saw one of the staff working there doing compressions, I started going through the cardiac arrest protocol in my head. My training kicked in, like a light switch. Going through the LCC program and the academy at ESF, the consistency of the training made it really easy for me to switch gears.”
Thanks to their exceptional training and rapid response, the patient, Dan Pritchard, had regained consciousness by the time he reached PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, a testament to the quality of emergency care he received. Once Pritchard recovered, he personally thanked the paramedics (Lookout Eugene-Springfield has a touching story about their reunion).
When they heard the news, Lane’s Health Professions faculty were proud, but not surprised…
“We couldn’t be prouder of our students and alumni in the work they put in every single day,” said Kris Siewert, EMS Program Coordinator. “Our program mirrors the realities of emergency medicine, demanding clinical preparation, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and a commitment to teamwork that truly impacts patient outcomes."
"Watching our graduates step directly into impactful roles with local EMS agencies is incredibly rewarding," Kris continued. "Many of them go on to serve in Lane County, contributing to the same communities where they trained. Their success isn’t just a reflection of their dedication — it’s evidence of the high standards they set and the support network that surrounds them throughout their training.”
Lane Community College educates over 17,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $675 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 8,900 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.