MIA recognizes Employee of the Year who gave life-saving CPR
Aircraft cleaning supervisor reunited with cardiac arrest victim at annual airport gala
On December 13, at Miami International Airport’s annual Employee Rewards and Recognition Gala, Swissport Aircraft Cleaning Supervisor Anabella Zapata was named MIA’s Employee of the Year for helping to save a man’s life just after he had suffered cardiac arrest inside an airport elevator. Zapata was reunited for the first time with the person she rescued – and was rewarded with two round-trip tickets from American Airlines.
Congratulations to Ms. Zapata, and to all of the airport’s monthly winners in 2018, for going above and beyond to meet the needs of our passengers. Ms. Zapata’s efforts exemplify the level of customer service we want MIA and Miami-Dade County to be known for.
On May 30, Luis Ramos collapsed inside an elevator from cardiac arrest while making food deliveries at MIA. Zapata was waiting for the same elevator and once she saw the doors open, she saw Ramos on the ground and barely breathing. Prior to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) arriving, Zapata put her skills to work from a CPR class she took four years ago for an intense 16 minutes of resuscitation.
Upon arrival, MDFR paramedics gave Ramos advanced life support treatment. Because of Zapata’s quick reaction in providing early CPR, the patient regained spontaneous breathing and a pulse, allowing him to survive.
We are extremely proud of all our employee of the month winners, for their compassionate, customer-first actions. As MIA welcomes more travelers from new global destinations, providing excellent customer service to each of our passengers is more important than ever before.
Zapata, who was chosen by a committee of MIA employees and tenants, won a pair of American Airlines tickets good for travel anywhere in the continental U.S., Mexico or the Caribbean.
To request materials in accessible format, Sign Language Interpreters, CART services and/or any accommodation to participate in any Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) public meetings and events please email the ADA Office at ADAcoordinator@miami-airport.com or call the office in 305-876-7747 five days in advance to initiate your request. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).