Knife Attack Survivor to Present Awards to Her Medical Heroes

The survivor of a harrowing knife attack will present awards to her medical heroes Friday as Bayfront Health Foundation honors local first responders.

Melissa Dohme, 20, was brutally stabbed 32 times and left for dead near her home by Crest Lake Park in January. She arrived at Bayfront Medical Center suffering from stab wounds to her face and neck, underwent several emergency surgical procedures and flat-lined numerous times while receiving more than 12 pints of blood. 

Now fully recovered, Dohme will have a chance to honor her trauma surgeon, Dr. Jeff Johnson, with the 2012 Real Hero Award. Johnson has called Dohme's recovery "nothing short of miraculous."

Dohme will also get to meet her Bayflite pilot, flight nurse and paramedic for
the first time as she awards them with the "Saving Lives At The Speed of Flight
Award" at Friday's Real Heroes dinner at the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.

A Hook and Ladder Award will also be presented to a local fire rescue hero as
part of the ceremony.

The ceremony will be held from 7-10 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 28, at the Vinoy, 600 Snell Isle Blvd., in St. Petersburg. For information, contact Emily Nipps at (727) 893-6815 or Emily.Nipps@bayfront.org.

Related Coverage:

• Melissa Dohme Benefit Draws Crowd of Support From Community Members
• Crest Lake Park Stabbing Victim in Critical Condition
• Melissa's Law Looks to Tighten Restraining Order Rules
• Outporing of Community Support Expected at Melissa Dohme Benefit