Natick, MA – Earlier today, first responders who provided immediate, life-saving care for Meghan Roth, a participant in the 125th Boston Marathon who suffered a cardiac event near mile eight, were awarded honorary medals for their exemplary service.
Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) President & CEO Tom Grilk, along with Daniel Dow, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Natick Fire Department, and Dr. David Morris, Medical Control Doctor for Natick Fire, awarded nine first responders honorary medals in recognition of their efforts on Monday, October 11.
“The B.A.A. extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to each and every first responder who came to the aid of Meghan Roth on race day,” said Grilk. “Few other places will you see the community and public safety support as displayed by these first responders during the Boston Marathon. While the world was watching, these first responders rose to the occasion. The Boston Marathon brings people together in numerous ways, and that was true on October 11.”
“There is a lot of coordination that goes into the marathon,” said Deputy Chief Dow. “It is my job to get the right people in the right places in the right time, and we certainly did that at this year’s marathon. I am extremely proud of the work that was done by the men and women of the Natick Fire Department and these individuals. Together with our partners from the Natick Police Department, Brewster Ambulance Service, and the Framingham Fire Department, we all worked as one that day and were able to send Meghan home to her family, which is an amazing accomplishment.”
Among those receiving honorary medals were:
- Captain/Paramedic Eric Williamson
- Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Mullen
- Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Sammon
- Firefighter Jeff Libby
- Firefighter Dan Gould
- Officer Scott Wade
- Paramedic Scott Marcosa, Brewster Ambulance
- Paramedic Mark Jacobs, Brewster Ambulance
- Field Supervisor/Paramedic Ken Reynolds, Brewster Ambulance
First responders also wrote messages and well wishes to Meghan Roth on a Boston Marathon banner, which will be sent to Roth soon.
Meghan Roth was unable to attend the event, but sent a written note to the first responders which can be found at the bottom of this release. Roth did participate in a video call with first responders following today’s event.
Also unable to attend were Dr. Jochen D. Muehlschlegel, Cameron Howe, and Marie Rodgers. Dr. Jochen D. Muehlschlegel was participating in the 125th Boston Marathon when he stopped to administer CPR on Meghan. Dr. Muehlschlegel is the attending cardiovascular anesthesiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is also the Vice Chair of Research, the Director of Cardiac Anesthesia Research, and an Associate Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Muehlschlegel is currently away on a medical mission trip to Rwanda.
Cameron Howe and Marie Rogers were spectating the 125th Boston Marathon when they jumped into action to administer aid to Meghan as well. Cameron is a nursing student at Boston College, and Marie is a retired nurse. The B.A.A. will recognize Dr. Jochen D. Muehlschlegel, Cameron Howe, and Marie Rodgers at a future time.
Message From Meghan Roth to First Responders:
Hi, my name is Meghan Roth. I am a runner, a coach, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a lover, a fighter & a survivor.
On October 11th at 9:44am my life came crashing down… but you were there to save me. From the lifeless moments of despair to the miracle of life, I am so blessed to be here today.
You were there for me when I needed you the most. You revived me, you comforted me & with your heroic actions you brought me back to life.
You brought me back home to my biggest joy & love, my son Jaxon. To my family, my friends & back to doing the things I love the most.
Thank you a million times again and again because I don’t think I can ever truly thank you enough. I want you to know you mean the world to me.
I want you to know I will never stop living my life to the fullest. I’ll never stop dreaming big & pursuing everything I want in life. I want you to know that if it wasn’t for you, I just wouldn’t be here to write this message. I wouldn’t have the chance at the life I’ve always dreamed. Thank you for giving me my life back.
For you I am so truly blessed. I hope I can only continue to share the love & give back to the greater good. I will continue sharing my story & hopefully make a positive impact for a greater cause bigger than me to help give back & save the lives of others.
Thank you for everything you do & the lives you have saved & will continue to save. You are heroes. You are my heroes, guardian angels & I’ll never forget you.
From all the love in my heart. Sending happy tears, many more healthy happy years, so much love, huge warm hugs & my endless gratitude as I always remember the day that you all saved my life.
With so much love,
Meghan