ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
It was just a typical afternoon for one Team Andrews member headed home after a day's work on July 16. However, an ordinary day turned out to be an extraordinary opportunity -- an opportunity to save someone's life.
"Around 5:30 p.m., I was driving home on U.S. 50 east and witnessed a rollover motor vehicle accident," said Dr. (Maj.) Kristina Money, 79th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight deputy commander. "I came up right as it happened. The car was flipped over onto the guardrail and partially into the westbound highway."
Without any hesitation or doubt in her mind, Major Money immediately stopped her vehicle to render assistance to the accident victim. "I pulled over as did three other civilian bystanders and witnessed the victim trapped in the vehicle as the engine was on fire," explained Major Money.
"The civilians were attempting to extinguish the fire by beating it with a blanket and were unsure whether to move the victim. I directed them to pull the young male out of the burning vehicle which they did, but they set him down right beside the car, face down on the ground. I was concerned for everyone's safety given the proximity of the fire and stated we needed to move, but the by-standers were hesitant to move the victim. I announced that I was a doctor and that we needed to move the accident victim to safety. That's when three civilians and I moved the victim about 30 yards." At that point, Major Money rendered critical medical assistance.
She gave the civilians on hand a quick lesson in providing medical care. "One civilian held the victim's cervical spine while I assessed his ABCs, that is, his airway, breathing and circulation. He had gurgling respirations and by now, a pediatrics nurse was on the scene and helping me get his pulse," said Major Money. "He was bleeding profusely from his left ear, nose, and had head lacerations. I monitored his ABCs and applied pressure to the bleeding until EMTs arrived."
Upon the EMTs arrival, she continued to assist in any way possible. "I notified the EMTs of the victim's injuries," explained Major Money. With her instruction, she and the EMTs tried various ways of saving the accident victim's life until the med evac helecopter arrived and the patient was flown to the University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.
"Major Money displayed all of the best characteristics of an officer and a clinician," said Maj. David Dickey, 79th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight commander. "She took charge of the accident scene, provided life saving medical care at risk to her own health and well being, and without her guidance at the scene the patient would probably have died. Consistent with her performance in the med group, she excels in everything she does."
In the family's blog updating friends and family of their son's condition, the accident victim's parents called Major Money, "an angel," to their young son. The accident victim's father said, "Thank God for her willingness to help, her skill, and for serving our country!"