When Taylor Clayton and Julia Riordan stepped out for a short walk amidst their intense study session, little did they know they would become heroes. Strolling alongside Tampa’s scenic riverwalk, they transformed a casual pause into a life-saving mission, confronting an emergency situation with courage and clarity.
An Unexpected Turn
It was supposed to be a routine study break, earbuds in, absorbing their physician assistant exam prep podcast. But when they saw a man collapse near the Tampa Convention Center, it became a test of their skills and resolve. Surrounded by a small, perplexed crowd, they were the brightest hope in medical scrubs, ready to spring into action. “We’re just students, but we’ll try our best,” Riordan assured onlookers before the two young women began administering CPR. According to University of South Florida, their swift actions revived the man, bringing his pulse back just as emergency services arrived.
The Making of Medical Heroes
Their incredible composure in the face of crisis, despite being mere months into their PA program, left onlookers in awe. Larry Collins, the PA-C associate director, remarked on their exceptional courage, praising their instinctive response as emblematic of the compassionate spirit USF Health cultivates in its students.
Discovering New Horizons
What began as an ordinary day catalyzed a reevaluation of their future paths. For Clayton, it confirmed her passion for emergency medicine, fueled by memories of her mother’s recovery from a traumatic accident. Riordan, initially inclined towards obstetrics, discovered her aptitude for high-pressure medical scenarios, broadening her own career possibilities.
Recognizing Excellence
Their bravery did not go unnoticed. At their white coat ceremony, Clayton and Riordan received USF Health Culture Coins—a testament to their outstanding actions and the values they embody. Dr. Charles Lockwood, the executive dean, lauded their patient-first ethos and cool-headed triumph in crisis.
A Legacy of Action
With a newfound sense of confidence and a special Culture Coin nestled in her white coat, Riordan imparts wisdom from her transformative experience: “Do something. Taking action and having a bit of self-confidence can make a world of difference. You’re more capable than you think.”
Through an extraordinary intersection of education and real-life exigency, these students exemplified what it means to “make life better,” not just within classrooms, but where it counts—in the world outside.
