Local woman aids in in-flight medical emergency

On June 20, 2011, Derenda Russell, staff development coordinator at Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau, found herself working on vacation. Russell and her husband were traveling aboard a commercial flight to Las Vegas when Russell was called upon to aid in an in-flight medical emergency. The plane was 100 miles away from Las Vegas when one of Russell's fellow passengers became concerned after her husband had not returned from the restroom. The cabin crew was notified and after knocking on the restroom door, opened it from the outside and discovered the man had suffered a heart attack. The call went out for a doctor or nurse, and Russell, a licensed practical nurse, answered. Russell performed CPR on the man until the plane landed and he was rushed to the hospital. Russell later received a call from the man's wife, thanking her for saving his life and informing her that he was doing well in the hospital and preparing to return home.