LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Central High School student has received a special award from UofL Health. She was shadowing a medical professional at the UofL Hospital during the Old National Bank shooting last year.

A surprise ceremony was held for Jocelyn Vasquez, who jumped in to help on the day of the shooting that killed five people and injured eight others. She received the first-ever award for Outstanding Service in Trauma Response.

“I feel super honored to have this award and truly be an example of what my school strives for,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez was shadowing Kiara James, a trauma community health worker, at the hospital on the day of the shooting.

“I’m just tremendously grateful that she was there that day,” James said. “Not only to witness what teamwork looks like, but just to be a team member, a part of my team on that day. She is just going places.”

Pre-medical magnet teacher Shantel Reed, who has been Vasquez’s teacher for three years, spoke during Tuesday’s ceremony.

“I am so proud of Jocelyn because I know we planted a seed here at Central High School with you in our three years ... honey, your future is so bright,” Reed said.

Vasquez’s experience the day of the shooting made certain a career in medicine is what she wants, she said. 

“It definitely made me want to continue, and I feel like it just gave me an intake on what’s to come," Vasquez said. "I’m ready for it."

Being a doctor has been a lifelong dream for her, and she will attend Bellarmine University in the fall to get closer to that dream. Vasquez’s family is from Guatemala, and she is a first-generation American.