Congratulations to Anna Szymanski on Receiving the Alabama Athletic Trainers Association Life Saver Award

Congratulations to Anna Szymanski!

Anna is an Athletic Trainer with Infirmary Health's Sports Medicine Program and works with Saraland City Schools. Anna was recently awarded the Alabama Athletic Trainers Association Life Saver Award. The ALATA Life Saver Award, created in 2024, is given to an athletic trainer who has represented the profession well and used their training to provide life-saving services or other humanitarian efforts.

In November 2023, Anna was covering varsity basketball games for Saraland High School when she heard the officials stop the game and noticed a crowd of people forming in the stands. Anna ran over and discovered that a parent was unconscious in the stands. She quickly jumped into action and, along with other medical professionals in attendance, began rendering aid. Anna grabbed an AED or automated external defibrillator. An AED is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The AED analyzed the heart's rhythm and advised a shock, which was promptly delivered to the unconscious parent. Chest compressions were then applied to the patient by one of the other parents, a nurse, and a Saraland school police officer.

Thanks to their efforts, the unconscious parent regained consciousness, and the EMS arrived shortly after to transport them to the hospital. Saraland City Schools also recognized Anna for her selfless service.

Congratulations, Anna! We are proud to have you on the Infirmary Health team!