Sympareotis receives state, city citations for saving a life

March 12, 2016

Last week, newly retired Sympareotis Dr. Panos Voukydis received citations from Gov. Baker, the state senate, the state house and the Boston City Council in recognition for his saving the life of a Boston police officer.

Voukydis said he did not “think this event was anything very unusual.”  In his professional life, he said, “I have done resuscitation many times in the various hospitals where I served.  The difference this time was that it happened in a public place and the subject happened to be a police sergeant.”

As he was dining with his wife in a restaurant in Allston Dec. 16, 2015, the officer became unconscious and fell on the floor, Voukydis said. As 911 was being called, Voukydis started chest compressions and before the EMTs arrived, the sergeant was breathing on his own, had a pulse and a “good blood pressure,” Voukydis said.

The officer is now fully recovered and back on duty, Voukydis said. As for this  outpouring of public expressions of gratitude, however, Voukydis said he thought it might have been, “somewhat excessive.”

In any case, Sabbatoparea is proud of him.