Piedmont Columbus Regional has named McCartney Witsell and Francisco Dominguez-McCraine with EMS Care Ambulance the organization’s First Friday Hero for the month of October.

A hospitalized patient was scheduled to be transported to another healthcare facility for long-term care. The patient didn’t look right to Witsell and Dominguez-McCraine. They voiced concern to staff and advocated for the patient to stay at the Midtown Campus. Soon after, the patient’s blood pressure dropped and became unresponsive. Because of the EMS crew, the patient got much-needed care prior to being transported to another facility.

A ceremony with Witsell, Dominguez-McCraine, and hospital leadership will be held at a later date to commend them for their response. Their story is also featured throughout the hospital on commemorative posters and Piedmont Columbus Regional’s social media pages.

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in mid-2016 to recognize first responders each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Their line of work is often a thankless job and we want to make the community aware of our local heroes and all they do to make Columbus a better and safer place.