Meghan Farley worked as an RN at the New York Presbyterian-Queens Emergency Department for five years before being selected for a newly created position to staff the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit covering the borough of Queens. Meghan trained to incorporate her ED knowledge and experience with her Neurology ICU training. To further her knowledge of EMS operations, Meghan joined the Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps. On the morning of September 18th, 2017 at approximately 6AM, NYP Queens received a notification from EMS Dispatch advising of “many red-tags” from a nearby bus crash. A few blocks away, a charter bus had crashed into an MTA bus, which then went through a nearby building. Minutes later, EMS crews began arriving, filling the ED with critical patients.
More 3 hours and a dozen ambulances later, combination of ED and EMS staff had treated and stabilized more than a dozen patients from the accident. In the days following, Meghan was recognized by both EMS supervisory staff and ED administration for her ability to take a leading role in the coordination of care for the arriving patients. For five years, Meghan’s work as a registered nurse in New York Presbyterian-Queens allowed her to interact with arriving EMS crews. Each crew was greeted by a professional who met them with a smile and truly listened to their patient presentation. When there were lessons to be learned from these interactions, Meghan was always the first to lead a conversation that resulted in a positive outcome for patients, crews and ED staff. Transitioning into the EMS world as an MSTU nurse, she continues to bring experience and undeniable passion to the care of our city’s patients.