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GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2018 HEALTH CARE HEROES ®

FIRST RESPONDERS

DANIEL LOPEZ, CPL KEITH TYSON
Medical Platoon Vice President, Education,
HHC, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Research and Outreach
Regiment, 53rd Brigade Combat Team Firefighter Cancer Support Network
While serving in civil support operations as a Keith Tyson worked as a paramedic/firefighter for
medic at a shelter during Hurricane Irma, Daniel 34 years with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Six months
Lopez medically treated an 18-month-old girl whose after retiring at the age of 55, he was diagnosed with
life was immediately compromised due to a pre- prostate cancer. He sought and received medical
existing illness. Due to his quick thinking and deci- attention and today is cancer-free, but in the process
sive call to action, he was able to stabilize the child of researching his own situation, learned that fire-
until she could be transported to a higher level of fighters had a much higher incidence of certain can-
care, saving her life. cers than the general public. He began to work with “As a retired firefighter and
Throughout his roles as a 68W (Military “CPL Daniel Lopez repre- other firefighters and fire departments to develop an
Occupational Specialty) Combat Medic Specialist educational program on cancer awareness and edu- cancer survivor, Keith Tyson
and as a registered nurse in his civilian career, CPL sents all that is honorable in cation. Today, that program is delivered through the might be expected to lead an
Lopez has not only demonstrated his knowledge, both his civilian nursing Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), a entirely private life. He has
skills and abilities to perform his duties, but has career and in military service. national organization of firefighters who have had chosen instead to spend his
done so with professionalism and the utmost His actions were deemed to cancer and who volunteer to assist and mentor oth- time and energy in service to
respect for his patients. reflect great credit upon him- ers. Because of his passion and research, Mr. Tyson the cause of fighting the epi-
He is highly respected by his peers and leaders, self, his unit, the Florida was instrumental in developing partnerships with demic of firefighter cancer.”
and is often called upon as a subject matter expert Army National Guard the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center and Santiago Leon
to provide aid and recommendations to soldiers’ and the state of Florida.” also the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office and other Employee Benefits Consultant
injuries or ailments. His assessments are always university research centers. He also helped to pre-
direct, quick and correct within the scope of his role CPT William S. Nogueras pare the FCSN’s 2013 White Paper entitled Taking SGL Insurance, Inc.
and responsibilities. During a natural disaster in Company Commander Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service, which has
service of South Floridians, he demonstrated selfless Headquarters and Headquarters been recognized as one of the decade’s most important documents on firefighter can-
service in performance of his duties, which resulted Company, 1st Battalion, 124th cer. Because of his efforts, resources have now been allocated to examine the issues
in saving a life. Infantry Regiment of firefighter cancer and to develop methods to reduce their cancer exposure.

YOUTH VOLUNTEER RECIPIENT
JULIO PUENTES
Firefighter/Paramedic MARITZA ALLEN-BROWN
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department Student Volunteer,
American Red Cross
On January 12, 2017, the crew of Ladder 17 was
dispatched to an incident at a construction site. Student,
They were advised that the call involved the rescue Coral Reef Senior High School
of a submerged construction worker, a dive rescue
emergency. The only diver on the unit, FF Julio Maritza Allen-Brown is currently a junior in the
Puentes, would be the key to this person’s survival. Health Science Academy at Coral Reef High School,
Several attempts to rescue the worker by his where she is an active member of the school’s chapter
coworkers had already failed, and bubbles from his of HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America)
underwater breathing equipment were no longer and engages in service to the community, including
visible. “FF Julio Puentes displays making blankets for pediatric cancer clinics.
The dive was dangerous as it was a zero-visibility the highest level of profession- Outside of the Academy, she is being trained as a “There are students who
environment, forcing FF Puentes to conduct the alism and dedication to the peer health educator, to provide peers with the infor- engage in community service
rescue by feel. Being an unsecured excavation, the mission of Miami-Dade mation necessary to make educated decisions about because it is required for
threat of a cave-in or trench wall collapse was a Fire Rescue and the their bodies. In this role, she will be giving monthly graduation, and then there
possibility and would be fatal. community we serve. With his presentations to freshmen and helping to create an are students who engage in
With no back-up divers present, FF Puentes selflessness and the willing- environment where health prevention and a healthy
understood that he would be executing the rescue ness to sacrifice his safety lifestyle are an essential part of the school’s culture. community service because
alone with limited chance of being rescued himself under overwhelming odds, he She is an activity coordinator for the Special they are drawn to it.
should he become trapped. After four minutes of defines the true nature of Melodies program, which provides music therapy to Maritza Allen-Brown
searching, he found the victim, whose foot was students who are developmentally disabled. In this is the latter. She is always
wedged underneath a large rock. He freed the vic- a hero and service above and role, she coordinates the music therapy schedules, willing to go the extra mile,
tim and resurfaced, and the man was removed from beyond the call of duty.” guest volunteers, and coordinates events with other wishing to leave the world
the water in respiratory arrest. Nicolas Morgado clubs in school. a little better than
Rescue 28 began resuscitative efforts and suc- Captain She is also a dedicated youth volunteer with the she found it.”
cessfully resuscitated the patient, who otherwise Miami-Dade Fire Rescue American Red Cross. During Hurricane Matthew, she
would not have survived. Department participated in disaster preparedness activities as well Jessica Cabrera-Sarduy
as prepared shelters for those affected by the storm. Health Science Academy
Through this experience, she was named a co-manag- Lead Teacher
er of a local Red Cross shelter during Hurricane Irma. Coral Reef Senior High School

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2018 Health Care Heroes® TASK FORCE
Healthcare Committee Chair
Matthew I. Pinzur - Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Jackson Health System
Healthcare Committee Vice Chair
Cliff Bauer - Vice President, Government Relations, Miami Jewish Health, President – Florida PACE Centers, Inc.
Health Care Heroes® Task Force Chair
Charles Felix - Publisher, South Florida Hospital News & Healthcare Report

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