Bossier chamber honors Benton High school nurse for saving student athlete’s life
BENTON, La. — A Benton High School nurse was honored by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce after her quick thinking and medical expertise helped save the life of an 11th grade student athlete who suffered sudden cardiac arrest during practice.
Jennifer Lee (holding plaque) was surprised Friday with a Bossier Chamber Salute to Community Heroes award.
BENTON, La. — A Benton High School nurse was honored by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce after her quick thinking and medical expertise helped save the life of an 11th grade student athlete who suffered sudden cardiac arrest during practice.
Jennifer Lee, RN, known as “Nurse Jenn” to her students, was surprised with a medal Friday morning recognizing her as the first 2026 recipient of the Bossier Chamber’s Salute to Community Heroes award.
Lee was nominated for her professionalism and quick response during the medical emergency. According to the Bossier chamber, she remained calm and focused while performing life-saving measures on the student.
The use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, also contributed to the successful outcome, according to the chamber.
"Life saving events like these in extraordinary circumstances where ordinary people assume heroic roles happen every day in Bossier City and Bossier Parish. And so bringing attention to those individuals who don't ask for it, we think is worthy of recognition. And that's what happened today with Jennifer Lee," said Brian Crawford, Willis Knighton Health senior vice president.
The Salute to Community Heroes program recognizes people from across the Bossier community who go above and beyond but often receive little public recognition. The program is sponsored by Willis Knighton Health and Barksdale Federal Credit Union.
In 2026, the chamber is surprising recipients at their workplaces and presenting them with medals honoring their service in front of their peers.
“From the Bossier chamber, we’d like to sincerely thank Nurse Jenn and the rest of the staff at Benton High for their heroism. Jennifer is one of the people who make the Bossier community so special. We’re honored to bring more attention to this amazing story and highlight the responsibility that school nurses undertake with their position,” said Lisa Johnson, chamber president and CEO.
Lee’s medical knowledge, heroism and use of the AED, along with the efforts of her team at Benton High, helped contribute to the student’s successful outcome, according to the chamber.
Another community hero is scheduled to be honored by the Bossier Chamber next month.