Emergency

A Concordia University Wisconsin physician assistant student has been honored by the Caledonia Police Department for performing CPR on a motorcyclist involved in an accident.


Last month, Thomas Spangenberg, a second-year PA student, received a Citizen Public Service Award, which is given to civilians whose “actions are examples of heroic deeds and courage to help a seriously injured individual.”

On Sept. 11, 2017, Spangenberg was driving to Concordia when he witnessed cars lined up near Highway 38 at 7-Mile Road in the Village of Caledonia. He continued to drive forward, past the traffic, and found an individual had been thrown from his motorcycle and that no one had yet arrived to provide medical assistance.

Spangenberg immediately began to administer medical attention and CPR to the motorcyclist involved in the accident, performing these measures until Caledonia first responders arrived on scene. Unfortunately, the victim did not survive the incident.

Spangenberg received a certificate, signed by Police Capt. Brain Wall, to honor his selfless acts in assisting a fellow citizen.

Learn more about Concordia’s physician assistant program here. 

— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.

If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.