Upstate nurse Shannon Tilbe named a 'real hero' by the American Red Cross

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Upstate University Hospital nurse Shannon Tilbe, R.N., did the right thing.

Driving home with her daughter from her daughter’s soccer match last May, she stopped to help and provide nursing care to a woman whose motorcycle, only moments before, catapulted off the road into a muddy, water filled creek, causing the woman severe injuries. Tilbe’s quick action and her nursing skills helped save the young woman’s life. It also made her an American Red Cross “real hero.”

Tilbe will be recognized for her actions at the organization’s 16th Annual Real Heroes Breakfast Event of Central New York Dec. 3 at the Oncenter Complex in downtown Syracuse.

Upstate’s Chief Nursing Officer Nancy Page recently spoke with Tilbe about the accident. She says that Tilbe felt that she didn’t do anything that any other health care provider wouldn’t have done. “But we don’t all do the same thing, do we,” said Page. “We don’t all stop when we might be able to provide help and we need to recognize that. Shannon Tilbe did stop and clearly made a difference in this young woman’s survival.” Upstate recently honored Tilbe as a hero by presenting her with a certificate of appreciation.

Tilbe came to Upstate University Hospital as a traveling nurse before signing on permanently in September 2013 as a 6B staff nurse at the Downtown Campus.

Page and Tilbe’s colleagues agree that she is a credit to Upstate and is known to go the extra mile to ensure that her patients’ needs are met. As an example, she recently helped a 103-year old patient, whose only request was to be discharged to her home. Tilbe intervened in the discharge process, assuring staff that the patient would be safe and cared for in own her home. Following the discharge, Tilbe called the patient to make sure that all was well, happily learning that the patient was back doing what she liked best - gardening.

“I was glad to be in the right place at the right time to help this young motorcyclist.” Tilbe said. “It is an honor to be named a ‘real hero’ by the American Red Cross. I am thankful for the opportunity to be in a profession that gives me personal satisfaction while caring for people.”

Tilbe is not the only thankful person. So are the young woman whose life she helped save and the woman’s parents.  Brought to Upstate University Hospital following her accident, the woman recently was paid a visit by Tilbe. “It was so gratifying for me to see her on her way to recovery,” said Tilbe. “To me, this is what nursing is all about.”

Caption: Upstate Chief Nursing Officer Nancy Page, M.S., R.N., left, and Sherria Sparks, R.N., M.S., manager of Upstate’s 6B unit, right, recognize Shannon Tilbe, R.N,  for her heroism at an Upstate ceremony.  Tilbe will be recognized by the American Red Cross for her lifesaving heroics Dec. 3 at a ceremony in Syracuse.