Right Place at the Right Time | Employee Recognition

One day last October, Alexa Hall was in the right place at the right time, and she has been honored with one of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s most prestigious honors for her quick actions.

Alexa, a nurse in Open Heart Recovery at UF Health Flagler Hospital, was recently presented with the Abe Schneider Award for heroism by St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick.

Alexa rightfully earned this honor for her actions last October when her quickness in helping a gentleman in distress helped save his life. Alexa pulled into the parking lot at Publix when she overheard the lady beside her asking her husband if he was okay. Alexa looked over and could tell the gentleman was in distress, so she started walking toward him. As she approached, he fell backward, and by the time she got to him, he didn’t have a pulse. Alexa performed CPR and had a passerby go into the store and ask for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). After using the AED, his cardiac activity returned, and Alexa waited with the couple until the ambulance arrived.

"I truly believe it was one of those being in the right place at the right time kind of things that God puts you in," says Alexa. "It's a moment I will never forget. I'm so happy I was there and able to help."

The Abe Schneider Award is an elite award given to citizens of the community entailing exceptional courage involving grave personal danger in rendering aid or assistance to a law enforcement officer. During the presentation, Sheriff Hardwick reported that the gentleman she helped that day survived and is living a full and happy life thanks to Alexa.

UF Health St. Johns is proud to have nurses like Alexa and their dedication to the community, not just in the hospital but everywhere they go in our community.