Chatham HSHS clerk honored for actions during army vet’s time of crisis
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — A Chatham woman is being recognized by her employer and the Chatham Police Department for her actions in helping a veteran during a time of mental health crisis.
Lisa Holquist, a desk clerk at Chatham’s HSHS clinic, was presented a “Good Catch Award” on Tuesday for helping Kevin Campbell, a 45-year-old U.S. Army combat veteran whom she encountered two weeks earlier. Campbell was on hand for the presentation along with Officer Adam Hahn, who also assisted Campbell.
Chatham Police officials said that on March 13, Campbell walked into the clinic and spoke with Holquist, who was sitting behind the front desk at the time. Campbell appeared confused and disoriented and told Holquist that he was looking for a local hospital; he also said that he “needed to get back to his soldiers at Fort Riley.” Campbell then turned around and walked out of the clinic.
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Holquist didn’t know at the time, officials said, that Campbell had served in the Army, seen combat and suffered a traumatic brain injury during his service. He had taken a new prescription medication earlier that day; when he walked into the clinic, he was having a very adverse reaction to the medication.
Chatham Police officials said Holquist recognized that something was not right and had a gut feeling to make a call to check on Campbell. She contacted the Chatham Police Department and gave them a description of Campbell and what direction he had walked off in. Officer Hahn received the welfare check request and when he found Campbell, Hahn determined that he did in fact need help.
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Hahn stayed with Campbell until his family arrived at their location. The Chatham Fire Department was also contacted and they transported Campbell for further treatment.
Campbell said Holquist’s actions likely saved his life that day.
“She could have easily watched me walk out of that facility and started helping the next patient in line. I wasn’t a patient at her clinic, and she was under no obligation to help me. But she didn’t, and her calling police to check on me saved my life,” Campbell said. “I have no recollection whatsoever of this incident, and Lord knows what would have happened to me if she didn’t care enough about me to make the call. I would have wandered up Route 4 and could have walked out into traffic or ended up who knows where. I am grateful to live in a community where people truly care about one another.”
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To show his appreciation, Campbell presented Holquist with a U.S. Army challenge coin. He also thanked the Chatham Police and Fire Departments for their patience with him on March 13.
“Their caring response to me in my moment of crisis shows the true professionalism of both of these public safety agencies,” Campbell added.
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