Columbus, Ga. (Feb. 16, 2023) – Piedmont Columbus Regional has named registered nurse Gaby Otterness with Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Pediatric Emergency Department the organization’s First Friday Hero for the month of February.

Otterness was driving to work one morning in mid-January. As she traveled down Veterans Parkway in Columbus, she saw a child standing in the middle of the road holding a suitcase, not properly clothed for the cold weather conditions, and disrupting traffic. Gaby pulled over and assisted the child out of the roadway to a hotel lobby nearby.

She quickly assessed the child and noted he appeared dehydrated, cold, and bruised. The boy was also cognitively delayed and could not make safe decisions on his own. Gaby notified police and EMS and stayed with the child, warming him up, offering fluids and comfort until their arrival. He was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Pediatric Emergency Department and received treatment for multiple concerns before being transferred in satisfactory condition.

A ceremony with Otterness and hospital leadership will be held at a later date to commend her for her response. Her story is also featured throughout the hospital on commemorative posters and Piedmont Columbus Regional’s social media pages.

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in mid-2016 to recognize first responders each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Their line of work is often a thankless job and we want to make the community aware of our local heroes and all they do to make Columbus a better and safer place.