UT Health East Texas EMS recognized 3-year-old Noemi “Emi” Vatavuk for her remarkable actions during a medical emergency that helped her mother, Aiden Wilkie, receive lifesaving care. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Rusk resident was presented with a certificate of bravery and an EMS challenge coin by UT Health East Texas EMS CEO John Smith and Medical Director Yagnesh Desai, MD. The ambulance crew who responded to the call, Paramedic Caleb Ridgeway and EMT Tim Spurgeon, also presented Noemi with a Build-A-Bear emotional support teddy bear.
The emergency occurred earlier this year when Noemi was at home with her mother in Rusk. Aiden Wilkie, who has been diagnosed with epilepsy, suffered a seizure that left her unable to move or speak. Despite her young age, Noemi remained calm and called her grandparents, who reside near Atlanta.
Noemi’s grandparents then contacted emergency dispatchers. With Noemi's direct assistance, and guided by both her grandparents and dispatchers, UT Health East Texas EMS crews were directed to the family’s apartment. Aiden Wilkie recounted that Noemi rolled her onto her side, rubbed her hair, and spoke to her grandmother on the phone during the incident. Aiden's mother, Ryan McCleod, stayed connected with Noemi via FaceTime throughout the emergency, while Aiden’s father communicated with dispatchers, relaying critical information Noemi provided.
A significant challenge arose when responders had difficulty locating and accessing the locked apartment. Following instructions from both the dispatcher and her grandparents, Noemi dragged a chair from the dining room to the front door, climbed onto it, and successfully unlocked the door. McCleod stated she told Noemi to yell when dispatch indicated they were close, and the child responded effectively. Once the door was unlocked, Noemi went outside with her cat, Nemo, and waited for first responders to arrive. McCleod described her granddaughter as “resilient beyond anything I ever expected.”
Lisa Wingfield, the EMS system status controller who dispatched the call, noted that the unusual circumstances required clear communication and composure. Wingfield, drawing on skills from a previous career as a music teacher, aimed to maintain a calm voice to reassure all parties, despite her own internal urgency. After the call concluded successfully, Wingfield described a powerful emotional release, expressing profound happiness that help had reached them.
Aiden Wilkie credits her daughter with helping ensure she received the necessary care during her medical emergency. She expressed deep gratitude for the teamwork displayed by her daughter, her parents, the dispatchers, and the EMS crews on that day, calling Noemi her personal hero.
