MARLBOROUGH – Marlborough resident Brian O’Leary is being called a hero at the New Horizons retirement community. The 21-year-old recently performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving the life of Phyllis Bagdasarian, a 93-year-old resident.
O’Leary has worked part time at the Hemenway Street independent and assisted-living community since 2018. He began as a dining room server while attending Marlborough High School. Now a senior at Worcester State University, he returns to New Horizons during school breaks and has been promoted to dining room supervisor.
When O’Leary saw Bagdasarian choking on a piece of meat during dinner earlier this month, he sprang into action.
“My training just took over,” said O’Leary, who is also an Eagle Scout. “I felt capable. I’m hopeful that others here will be able to do the same if that situation happens again.”
New Horizons requires all its dining room supervisors and senior staff to undergo choke-saving procedures training every year, according to Tony Sosa, associate director at New Horizons and a professional chef.
“Brian has been through the training so many times that he knew exactly what to do,” said Sosa. “He acted so quickly that the whole episode was over in about five seconds. We could not be prouder of how he handled a frightening situation.”
New Horizons’ on-site nurse attended to Bagdasarian immediately after the incident and determined that no further medical care was necessary. The senior community has a nurse scheduled on site 24 hours a day, according to Sosa.
“I’ve always thought fondly of Brian,” said Bagdasarian. “My tablemates and I really like him now!”
For information abut New Horizons, visit www.countrycommunities.com.
