Quick Response Saves Life During Medical Emergency at Milton Hershey School

Had it not been for the swift actions of a Milton Hershey School guest safety coordinator and school nurse during a medical emergency, a fellow school employee might not be planning her retirement.

In June, a training at Founders Hall suddenly stopped when Crystale Strupp, an MHS employee, began experiencing a cardiac event. MHS Guest Safety Coordinator, who was conducting his rounds at Founders Hall, arrived on the scene within moments. Upon assessing the situation and recognizing the medical emergency, Jones started CPR.

MHS School Nurse Kaitlin Sites, who was also attending the training, was quick to jump in and assist Jones in cycling through compressions until an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) arrived. After a series of compressions and with the utilization of the AED, Strupp regained consciousness and began breathing on her own.

When EMS arrived on the scene, they administered additional care and transported Strupp to the hospital, where she made a full recovery.

Through tears, Jones shared how impactful the situation was for him.

“Thinking back to that day, seeing what kind of condition she was in was stressful,” Jones stated. “But from the moment I entered the room to later witnessing her sitting up on the gurney, talking, and now seeing her today, healthy, is just amazing. It makes all the training and the work we do here worth it.”

Sites came away from the experience grateful she was in the right place at the right time, with a strong encouragement to others about CPR training.

“While I am already trained as a nurse, everyone should get CPR trained,” she implored. “It is so important because you never know how fast a situation can change. Frank and I were two of many people who jumped in and helped that day. Everyone who was in that room was really integral in the outcome—an outcome I am so grateful for.”

According to the American Heart Association, CPR can double or triple the chance of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest if performed correctly.

In November, Senior Campus Safety Director Rick Gilbert presented commendations to Jones and Sites, recognizing that their bravery, skill, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of others had saved a life during a medical emergency.

Additionally, Strupp attended the commendation ceremony, humbled at the opportunity to meet and honor the people who cared for her when she needed it most.

“This has meant the world to me,” she expressed. “I felt like I had two angels with me that day. Now, I have a second chance at life and can thoroughly enjoy my upcoming retirement.”

MHS Campus Safety officers take pride in providing around-the-clock patrols, campus monitoring, and emergency planning. MHS is the only pre-K through 12th-grade residential school with dual accreditation status from the Commission on Accreditation for the Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The organization accredits law enforcement agencies that adhere to strict standards of general orders and other safety protocols. The MHS Training and Development Department offers all employees complimentary First Aid, CPR, and AED training.