ER Mourns Loss Of One Of Its Own

By Steve Alexander Reporter

USA Medical Center staff desperately tried to save the life of an Emergency Room nurse involved in a head-on collision. ER Mourns Loss Of One Of Its Own

Published: Wed, November 21, 2007 - 8:56 pm Last Updated: Thu, November 22, 2007 - 12:06 pm

Steve Alexander

Emergency room workers at USA Medical Center are grieving over the death of one of their own.
22 year old Kelley Powell of Mobile was involved in a head-on collision in Mobile Tuesday morning.
An ambulance rushed Powell back to the USA Medical Center emergency room, which she had just left after working the night shift as a nurse.
Emergency Unit Supervisor Robert Schwan said, "Actually, I had seen her that morning and she was very awake and vibrant like she usually is, and she had actually kind of nudged me that morning and said, "Good Morning.' "
When asked what went through her mind as she was treating Powell, nurse Gina Stewart said, "First and foremost, you're in shock. Then, you have to step forward because you can't fall apart at that point."
Alabama State Troopers said Powell was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Schwan said, "Kellie was a very energetic, vibrant, compassionate nurse."
Emergency Room Secretary Lavoris Cooks said, "She was just one of those special people, and she will be missed."
The emergency room workers also say their thoughts go out to Biju Nair and his son Pranav.
They were in the other car involved in the accident and they, too, were treated by the emergency room staff.