Newsworthy

When a patient at the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus required emergency surgery and rapidly declined, the care team moved quickly to arrange a transfer to Topeka. Severe weather eliminated air transport, and during ground transport preparation, the patient became unstable and required continuous manual ventilation.

With limited EMS support available and a long transfer ahead, Registered Nurse Preceptor Megan Affolter volunteered to accompany the patient, manually ventilating throughout the 65‑mile transport. With administrative approval, she remained at the patient’s side the entire way, helping ensure they safely reached the higher level of care they urgently needed.

Megan’s actions reflect more than clinical skill; they demonstrate the heart of volunteerism. In a moment of uncertainty, she stepped forward, placing patient safety and community need above all else. Her willingness to go beyond her expected role exemplifies what it means to care for patients wherever and whenever they need us.

Megan is a powerful example of Stormont Vail’s mission in action and a deserving February Person of the Moment.