{"id":8667,"date":"2026-10-24T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8667"},"modified":"2026-10-24T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T20:30:00","slug":"crisis-in-the-pews-off-duty-va-nurses-step-in-to-save-a-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8667","title":{"rendered":"Crisis in the pews: Off-duty VA nurses step in to save a life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2026-10-24T20:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Amazing grace: Two VA nurses save a life during Sunday service<\/h2>\n

On a quiet Sunday morning, sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows of a small Birmingham church while hymns of praise echoed gently throughout the sanctuary.<\/p>\n

The congregation held a quiet reverence as Pastor Roy Peterson stepped into the pulpit at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church to deliver his sermon.<\/p>\n

Among those present was a 93-year-old founding member and proclaimed mother of the church. What began as a peaceful morning took an unexpected turn, however, when she became unresponsive during the message.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The service came to a halt, prompting immediate concern and fear.<\/p>\n

Right place, right time<\/h2>\n

Two Birmingham VA<\/a> nurses, Ann Woods and Theresa Turner, were in attendance that morning for worship. Without hesitation, they quickly assessed her condition before initiating CPR.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral people had gathered around her, and I immediately went to assess the situation,\u201d Woods said. \u201cAfter determining she was unresponsive and being unable to palpate a pulse, Turner immediately initiated chest compressions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Working as a team, they alternated responsibilities to provide continuous and effective care.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter one round of compressions, we were still unable to detect a pulse, so Ann relieved me and continued,\u201d Turner recounted. \u201cPrayerfully, after the second round we were able to palpate a pulse, and she regained consciousness.\u201d<\/p>\n

When emergency medical personnel arrived, they found she had been sustained through the nurses\u2019 skilled efforts. Their timely intervention made all the difference, creating a crucial window for advanced care to step in.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod placed Ann and Theresa exactly where they were supposed to be that morning, and I\u2019m so grateful they answered his call,\u201d Pastor Peterson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Amazing grace<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The beloved church matriarch was transported to a nearby medical facility for further evaluation and is currently in good spirits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This encouraging outcome is largely due to the swift decisiveness of Woods and Turner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither of us hesitated when it came to rendering aid,\u201d Woods said. \u201cMy experience as a registered nurse, combined with the quarterly Resuscitation Quality Improvement VA training, has prepared me to recognize when someone is in distress and equipped me with the skills needed to respond effectively in emergency situations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI just did what I knew to do,\u201d Turner said. \u201cPlease learn CPR, and always be ready for the opportunity to save a life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The events of that Sunday morning gave a clear demonstration of how essential it is to both receive and maintain proper training. Whether in a place of worship, at home or out in the community, having the skills and confidence to act quickly can make all the difference in an emergency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was something we never imagined or expected to face,\u201d Pastor Peterson said. \u201cWitnessing Ann and Theresa respond right away was truly inspiring. After learning about their training through Birmingham VA<\/a>, we were motivated to begin offering CPR certification classes so our congregation can be better prepared in the future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A 93-year old church elder became unresponsive during service. Two Birmingham VA nurses answered the call, reviving and stabilizing her.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":327,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-health-care"],"yoast_head":"\nCrisis in the pews: Off-duty VA nurses step in to save a life - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A 93-year old church elder became unresponsive during service. 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