CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — A Charlotte nurse was named the Registered Nurse Hero of the Year after she saved her 5-month-old patient from his burning home.
Cathy Akbari traveled to Philadelphia last weekend to receive the award in front of more than 1,500 of her colleagues from Bayada Nurses, a national home care agency.
"This is a tremendous honor," Akbari said as she accepted her award. "Thank you for praying for me, visiting me, and sending me cards and letters. I believe that's why I am here today."
Akbari has worked for Bayada Nurses since 2002, specializing in the care of children with profound physical and developmental disabilities.
While caring for the 5-month-old patient, a fire broke out on the first floor of the family's two-story home. The stairway caught fire, trapping Akbari and the baby upstairs. She realized the only way to get the baby out was through an upstairs window, so she tossed the infant into the waiting arms of a neighbor standing on the ground.
"Miss Cathy saved my son's life. I thank her and I love her," said Summer London Moss, the baby's mother.
Firefighters had to rescue Akbari from the home.
The baby suffered only minor injuries. Akbari suffered second-degree burns to 35 percent of her body, and has made a complete recovery.