Why it matters: Alan Mison, a local resident, was enjoying a regular get-together with friends at the Coffee Cat café in the James Hehir Building when he suffered a cardiac emergency. Rosita Nibi, a third-year Dental Hygiene and Therapy student, quickly stepped forward and performed CPR until paramedics arrived and transferred him to hospital, where he had emergency surgery to fit a pacemaker.
What they're saying: Alan said: "I would like to offer a huge thank you to Rosita for stepping forward and helping me. Her quick thinking, as well as the confidence and skills she demonstrated undoubtedly contributed to the positive prognosis I have been given."
Having lived on the waterfront for 20 years, Alan says he feels the university is part of the local community. "Rosita's actions are a testament to the University and the skills they are providing, and I am glad that it is here and a part of our community," he added.
Rosita spoke about the experience: "I have been in medical environments for a number of years before I started my course at the University, and I have had regular refreshers on first aid and life saving skills, but this is the first time I have had to put my knowledge into practice. My reaction to help Alan did come naturally and I did my best to administer CPR while the ambulance was on its way."
The bigger picture: The pair met back on campus the following week once Alan was out of hospital, after he contacted the university to thank Rosita in person.
Professor Paula Kersten, executive dean of the School of Health, Sciences and Society at the University of Suffolk, said: "We are incredibly proud of Rosita, who is one of our Dental Hygiene and Therapy students. She stepped in to perform CPR on a visitor during a medical emergency on campus. Her quick thinking and bravery likely saved a life. Rosita is an amazing example of the skill, compassion, and professionalism of our students."
For context: The incident occurred less than a week after 52 Paramedic Science students at the university completed a 24-hour CPR marathon, performing over 170,000 chest compressions to raise awareness of public defibrillators. Despite 72% of people performing CPR when witnessing a cardiac emergency, fewer than one in 10 use a public access defibrillator.
The bottom line: Rosita's actions are a powerful reminder that CPR training saves lives, and that the skills learned in the classroom can matter far beyond it. The yellow and green defibrillator boxes found outside pubs and shops across Ipswich are there to help, and anyone who calls 999 will be talked through how to use one step by step.
