Central HS senior honored by UofL Health for help in the ER after Louisville mass shooting

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The future of healthcare is being honored by UofL Health.

Jocelyn Vasquez is a senior at Central High School and will be graduating soon, but on Tuesday, she was honored with the first "Award for Outstanding Service in Trauma Response."

The honor was created by UofL Health to recognize Jocelyn's heroic work in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Old National Bank.

CENTRAL HS STUDENT HONORED BY UOFL HEALTH 5-14-2024 (1).jpeg — Jocelyn Vasquez is a senior at Central High School and will be graduating soon, but on Tuesday, she was honored with the first "Award for Outstanding Service in Trauma Response" by UofL Health. (WDRB Image) May 14, 2024

She was a junior enrolled in Central's Pre-Med Magnet Program. She was in the UofL Health Hospital Emergency Department to observe and learn on April 10, 2023.

There was a lot of chaos as patients started arriving at the trauma center, but Jocelyn stayed calm and helped reunite families with loved ones they didn’t know were dead or alive.

"Being able to see that was just inspiring, but it was also part of the reason why I wanted to be there," she said.

Survivor Darrin McCauley remembers being brought to the ER. "I see a bright future of people, like Jocelyn, who will come to my aid when situations like that happen. So, I say thank you. Thank you to all, and please work hard to help us in our times of need."

She, her family, teachers and fellow students gathered in the school auditorium on Tuesday to present her with the honor.

Kiara James works in the emergency department at UofL Health Hospital. She was brought to tears recounting how Jocelyn showed up for a job shadow that day and displayed such bravery, courage and calm despite all the fear she was faced with.

James said Jocelyn helped her create paper slips, so they could get the information from families and patients coming to the emergency room.

"Me and Jocelyn also were running through the hospital reuniting families together as well as directing police officers where they needed to go," James said. "We both looked at each other, and we said, 'we got this,'"

Jocelyn’s teachers were also emotional explaining the pride they had in educating students like her to make the future brighter.

Jocelyn plans to work in the nursing field and said being in the trauma center on the day of the mass shooting inspired her to want to help others.

"The one time I go to shadow in a hospital, and the one time a month that day was not a coincidence, and it made me want to continue and felt like it gave me an intake of what’s to come and I’m ready for it," Jocelyn said.

The award was created to recognize Jocelyn, but UofL Health plans to continue to honor outstanding youth and adults who demonstrate "remarkable courage, compassion and initiative in the face of trauma."

"I got to see how medical workers aren't just medical workers, they're human as well," she said. "I feel super honored to have this award and be an example of what my school strives for: excellence."

Jocelyn plans to attend Bellarmine University in the fall to pursue a career in healthcare.

Related stories: