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EMT, college student recognizes professor’s stroke during class

EMT Luke Vayder, a Hillsdale College sophomore, helped to transport Dr. Michael Jordan, his English professor, to the hospital

By Laura French

HILLSDALE, Mich. — An EMT and college student responded to a medical emergency during his English class last week after he recognized that his professor was having a stroke.

EMT Luke Vayder, a sophomore at Hillsdale College in Michigan, told his professor, Dr. Michael Jordan, that he thought Jordan might be having a stroke after noticing he was slurring his speech, according to The Hillsdale Collegian.

Vayder then asked Jordan to smile and saw the drooping on one side of his professor’s face. He advised Jordan that he should go to the hospital immediately, and after Jordan stated that he did not want to be taken in an ambulance, Vayder helped transport him to the hospital in another classmate’s vehicle.

On the way to the hospital, Vayder stayed in the back with Jordan while another student drove, and they arrived at the hospital within 20 minutes after Jordan began to show symptoms. Vayder then relayed details, including Jordan’s vitals, to a triage nurse.

Jordan learned that he had suffered a transient ischemic attack, and took one week to recover before returning to teach.

Vayder earned his EMT license two weeks after his 18th birthday and credited his experience working for his local ambulance service in Wisconsin for his ability to quickly spot his professor’s symptoms.

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