ESU Student Ryan Kately Honored with Safety Award for Having Performed Heimlich Maneuver

Posted by: admin on January 28, 2014, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University’s Ryan Kately, a junior from Nazareth, Pa., majoring in health and physical education, was honored with the institution’s safety award on Tuesday, January 28, for having performed the Heimlich maneuver on a fellow student last semester. From left to right are Pete Kately, Ryan’s grandfather, Scott Kately, Ryan’s father, Ryan Kately and Robin Kately, Ryan’s mother.

The quick reaction and training of East Stroudsburg University junior Ryan Kately helped save the life of a fellow student when he performed the Heimlich maneuver on him last semester.

Kately, a 21-year-old majoring in health and physical education, received the Safety Award for his heroic efforts from Assistant Chief of University Police James Flannery on Tuesday, January 28, at the university’s monthly safety committee meeting in front of friends, family and administrators, including President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.

“I didn’t expect all this attention,” Kately said. “It was just something that had to be done.”

Kately, a Nazareth High School graduate, was in his room in Hawthorn Suites when he heard a student in the computer lab just across the hall choking. Kately used his training from high school health class and his “Health Emergencies” class at ESU to perform the Heimlich on October 30, 2013.

“It reaffirms that we have conscientious, caring people here at ESU,” Flannery said.

Kately’s parents, Robin and Scott, and Ryan’s grandfather, Pete Kately, couldn’t hide their pride at Tuesday’s ceremony the university police conference room.

“I was at work when my husband called and told me what Ryan had done,” Robin said. “I couldn’t believe how he stepped up to help. I announced it to everyone around me and couldn’t wait to see him and give him a hug.”

It was the first time ESU had honored a university community member with a Safety Award since 2008.