The leadership to make a life-saving difference

Redefining the future of health care is a Truly Ambitious endeavor. It requires leadership that is also Truly Innovative and Truly Compassionate.

Katrina Aronoff embodies all of these attributes. As a Chief Radiation Therapist at Phelps Hospital as well as a United States Coast Guard Reservist, Katrina lives out Northwell Health values in all areas of her life.

Katrina recently received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for Outstanding Achievement. The award recognizes meritorious and heroic service to others. She received this prestigious commendation for actions on two separate occasions within a two-week period, while serving with the Coast Guard in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria.

• Coming off duty on October 28th and returning to her hotel, Katrina noticed a man lying unconscious on the ground. She quickly assessed the situation and had a civilian call 911. Checking the man’s vital signs, felt a pulse and confirmed respirations. She then requested assistance from the USNS Comfort – one of the largest hospital ships in the world – and helped Navy personnel insert an intravenous line and perform an EKG.
• On Nov 12th, as she left her hotel, she witnessed civilians lowering an unconscious female to the ground. She asked one of her shipmates to call 911 while she checked for vital signs. The woman was not breathing and had no pulse. She performed CPR and was able to bring the victim back. As she waited for EMS to arrive, the victim lost consciousness four times and her heart stopped beating. Katrina would not give up on her. Two days later, it was confirmed that thanks to Katrina’s intervention, the victim was alive and well.

Whether in her role with the Coast Guard or as a key member of the Phelps Hospital Radiation Medicine team, Katrina Aronoff is a natural leader. She is always ready to take the initiative and do whatever the situation requires to help others and save lives. She is an invaluable asset to Northwell Health.

If you’d like to learn more about Northwell Health’s exceptional women in leadership and the values that inspire them, we’ll be sharing stories from our Employee Lunch and Learn and providing an inside peek at how women in key leadership roles are making a dramatic impact and driving important change!