A Vanderbilt University Medical Center doctor has been credited for helping save an elderly woman's life.
Dr. Rick Miller, Chief, Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, was on his way home Friday morning when he noticed an SUV driving erratically.
The driver lost control, veered off the road, and crashed into a pole at Blakemore Avenue and Natchez Trace near the hospital.
"It was quite a crash," Miller recalled. "The vehicle went backwards into the air and landed in the middle of the road."
In front of him were other witnesses, some in the medical field, including Miller's second year surgical resident.
Miller immediately responded and saw 73-year-old Ruth Root stumble out of her vehicle and drop to the ground unconscious.
"She had no pulse, she was pale and looked like she was having a seizure," Miller told NewsChannel 5.
73 y/o Ruth Root broke 12 ribs after a crash. She is alive thanks to a doctor who saw the crash. @NC5 pic.twitter.com/L6ftnYpd5t
— Matthew Torres (@NC5_MTorres) September 5, 2016
Miller and the other witnesses immediately performed CPR to resuscitate Root. Once paramedics arrived, and she was shocked twice to get her heart rate back to normal.
Root had been at VUMC since the crash being treated for twelve broken ribs and some bruises. She was driving to her cardiologist when she suffered a heart attack that morning.
"I remember thinking something was wrong and I didn't feel right and needed to pull over," Root said.
On Labor Day, she met Miller for the very first time with some of her family members by her side. Both talked about the incident for several minutes since Root could not remember much.
"He is a remarkable man," Root said to describe Miller. "Emotionally I feel wonderful because I'm blessed to be here. I am so grateful."
Miller was also credited for saving a man's life from drowning by performing CPR during his vacation on the Gulf Coast in 2015.
Miller has been set to meet the man again in New Orleans in a couple of months.
"I think things happen for a reason," Miller said. "It wasn't their time."
Other people were involved to help resuscitate Root, but not everyone was immediately known. Nevertheless, Root has hoped she would get to personally thank them soon for giving her a second chance in life.
