We extend a heartfelt kudos to Liz McDowell for her extraordinary response during a crisis call on a Friday afternoon. Liz’s keen clinical instincts, deep compassion, and unwavering dedication made a life-saving difference for one of our members in urgent distress.

The call came from a member who has a history of struggling from substance use, homelessness, lack of family and community support systems. Feeling isolated and alone they expressed a clear intent to end their life that day. Liz immediately recognized key warning signs, including a shift in their language, refusal of help, and new, concerning thoughts about beloved pets. Her ability to listen, assess, and act quickly became critical when the member disclosed a plan to overdose on prescribed medications while under the influence.

Liz swiftly gathered vital information to ensure law enforcement and crisis response teams had an accurate picture of the situation. Unfortunately, law enforcement wasn’t able to initially respond, leaving Liz to continue to manage and de-escalate the situation. Recognizing the urgency, Liz remained calm and focused, using her EMT background to monitor changes in the member’s speech, tone, and breathing. When they became unresponsive and collapsed, Liz provided life-saving details to emergency responders, ensuring they arrived fully informed and prepared.

At the hospital, the member required intubation, but did survive. When Liz followed up with the member, they expressed gratitude for her persistence and care, sharing that for the first time, they were ready to accept help.

Liz’s actions exemplify why we do this work. In the face of an incredibly difficult situation, she demonstrated skill, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to saving a life. We also want to extend our appreciation to our crisis backline team, who played a crucial role in coordinating emergency responses.

To Liz—thank you for reminding us of the impact we can make. Your dedication is truly inspiring.