LAURINBURG — Tuesday afternoon, members of the Scotland Health executive team joined regional leaders from Allied Universal Security Services to acknowledge the life-saving efforts of one of its security personnel.
In November 2020, shift supervisor Nathaniel “Nate” Thompson was presented with the Phenomenal Performance Award from Allied Universal (the company that provides security solutions to Scotland Health) for giving CPR to an unresponsive patient until help could arrive. In addition to the award, Thompson was also nominated for the Lou Ligouri Citizen of the Year Award — which he received at the ceremony on Tuesday.
“The Lou Ligouri Citizen of the Year Award is dedicated to the late Lou Ligouri, the hardworking leader who owned one of the companies acquired by Allied Universal,” said Rick Myers, security director at Allied Universal/Scotland Memorial Hospital. “This award is one of the highest honors one can receive within the company for their commitment, integrity, and service.”
The heroics occurred on the morning of Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 when Thompson was conducting a check in the hospital’s emergency department. While there, a car carrying an unresponsive passenger pulled up to the ED entrance. Thompson followed his training, first checking for vitals before getting into the car and conducting CPR. He also instructed the security team to alert the nursing staff for assistance and continued life-saving measures until help arrived.
According to Daniel Brock, Allied Universal regional general manager, there are nearly 800,000 officers now in the company worldwide and only one receives the Ligouri Award each year.
“Everybody likes to think that they would spring into action when something happens — not everyone does,” Brock remarked at Tuesday’s ceremony. “Not everybody thinks clearly. You went in, took care of business, and saved a life. We couldn’t be prouder of you. Thank you for everything that you’ve done for Scotland Memorial, for Allied Universal, and for the family of the life you saved.”
Greg Wood, president and CEO of Scotland Health also addressed Thompson during the ceremony. “You exemplify the Scotland Way,” said Wood. “You can’t teach ownership. You can’t teach commitment. You can’t teach the pride that you have in your job. You can’t teach someone who sees what needs to be done, to take that initiative and get it done. That’s just the way we do things here – that’s the Scotland Way.”
“That is why Scotland Health is a special place for this community and a special place to work,” Wood continued. “From all of us at Scotland Health and the board of trustees, thank you for representing us so well. We are delighted not just to have you on our team, but to be on your team.”
Thompson, a nine-year employee at Scotland Memorial Hospital, was appreciative of the honor, but credits his training and experience for the life-saving encounter.
“I’ve been working in the medical field for a long time,” Thompson shared. “It was instinct. I didn’t think about it, I just reacted. We do train for these situations. We hope that we don’t have to use it, but if we do, you don’t want to freeze up.”
“I take pride in my job,” Thompson continued. “I thank God for allowing me to have the skill to save a man’s life. I thank God for my team.”
