When a mid-flight medical emergency unfolded en route to Hawaii, MEMA’s own Dr. Smith stepped in without hesitation.
Rebecca Smith, DO, emergency department medical director and vice chief of staff at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, was on a long-awaited family vacation when the familiar question came over the airplane intercom: “Is there a doctor on board?” After a busy stretch at work, Dr. Smith had been looking forward to disconnecting while traveling to Hawaii with her husband and two young children. But when a passenger became suddenly unresponsive mid-flight, she didn’t hesitate to step in.
An emergency department nurse who happened to be seated nearby had already begun assessing the patient, and Dr. Smith immediately joined her. Working together with limited supplies from the aircraft’s medical kit, they provided oxygen, started IV fluids, checked blood sugar, and performed ongoing assessments. The patient’s condition was initially critical, but with coordinated care and close monitoring, he began to stabilize.
After communicating with medical control through the flight crew, the decision was made to turn the plane around. EMS met the aircraft upon landing, and the passenger, who was awake and improving, was transported for further care. The teamwork between two ED professionals who had never met before was a powerful example of preparedness, collaboration, and commitment to patient safety.
The moment brought Dr. Smith back to her early 20s, when she volunteered at a clinic in Roatán, Honduras, and accompanied a critically ill infant on an emergency flight to the mainland to provide care in flight. Working with limited tools then and again on this recent flight reinforced lessons that have stayed with her throughout her career: remain calm, adapt to the environment and rely on teamwork.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Smith said, “Our patients rely on us in their hardest moments. At Rowan, we care for our community like family, and that responsibility means everything to me.” For her, whether in the ED or at 30,000 feet, the mission remains the same: show up, work together, and deliver safe, compassionate care when it matters most.