Nurses’ evening out benefits injured stranger

Although they work in the same hospital, Molly Hartman and Sarah Hagedorn never crossed paths until a weekend night in downtown Colorado Springs, when they both came to the aid of an injured cyclist who needed immediate care.

When Hartman saw a young woman lying in a parking lot, blood oozing from her head and legs tangled in a bicycle’s wheels and frame, she wondered if she should stop.

She hesitated only a second.

“I saw the crowd and wondered what was going on. Of course, I had to check it out. I’m naturally curious,” said Hartman, a nurse who works on UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central’s surgical trauma unit. “When I saw this woman – she had a head laceration and was very emotional – I saw myself. I had to stop.”

Soon, Hartman, a three-year UCHealth staff member who worked as a CNA and health care technician while earning her bachelor’s degree, was at work. She joined Hagedorn, manager of Memorial’s sexual assault nurse examiner program who was already there. It was Hagedorn who handed Hartman a 4-by-4 gauze pad from the first aid kit she keeps in her car. Hartman pressed the gauze against the woman’s head and the two nurses began assessing the situation.

“She was with a group of friends who didn’t realize how serious her injuries were,” Hartman said. “I knew differently.”

After refusing to let anyone call 9-1-1, Hartman and Hagedorn convinced the woman to get into Hagedorn’s car and take a short ride to Memorial’s Level I Trauma center, staying with her while her injuries, including a concussion, were treated. Hartman stayed with the woman for several hours, consoling and explaining what was happening.

“Molly could have easily walked away or let other people handle it,” Hagedorn said. “But she chose to take time out of her night to make sure this woman felt safe and received proper treatment.”

As they drove to the hospital, Hagedorn and Hartman got to know each other.

“I remember asking, ‘who are you?’” Hartman said.  “Sarah and I had never met. I just remember being impressed she had Memorial’s ED on speed dial, knew who to ask for and was giving a very thorough description.”

For Hartman, the reward for her work are two new friends. The woman she helped has offered to buy her dinner.  And from Hagedorn came an offer to learn more about the SANE program and their shared experiences of completing their nursing education at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

“Molly is caring and thoughtful and it is wonderful to meet someone who cares so much about the people around her,” Hagedorn said. “Thank you Molly for taking great care of a stranger!”