Meet the EMT Behind the Islanders First Responders Patch

The New York Islanders are celebrating community heroes during First Responders Night, Presented by Northwell, at UBS Arena. Each fan in attendance for the Islanders vs. Rangers matchup will receive a limited edition First Responders Patch designed by Lauren Skura, a Northwell Health EMT.
Skura's patch is inspired by the Star of Life, the trademark symbol used to identify the emergency medical services system, that depicts a snake wrapped around a pole. To tie the patch to the Islanders, Skura replaced the pole with a hockey stick and incorporated blue and orange colors in her creation. The patch also spotlights other first responders through an ambulance, firefighter jacket, and a stethoscope shaped as the "Y" in NY.

BE AT FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT
"I wanted to try and include every little bit of what a first responder is into this patch," Skura said, highlighting the teamwork between the police force, fire department, and medical staff when responding to emergencies. "The Star of Life has those little points on it, so I figured I would try and do a little bit of each [department] on each point."
A lifelong Islanders fan, Skura emulates the strength and resilience of the team in her day-to-day service as an EMT. "The Islanders are a big part of my life and being a first responder is also a big part of my life." Skura said. "The fact that [my patch] was chosen to be given out was a big thing, and I love it."

Skura has attended prior First Responders Nights hosted by the Islanders. She vividly remembers the special feeling of standing up in a roaring crowd of passionate Islanders fans and being honored alongside the community of first responders, including a sea of nurses, firefighters, and police officers.
"I think half the arena stood up at one point," Skura said. "It was awesome to be included in that."
Skura has appreciated the outpouring support from the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Early in the pandemic, Skura worked half her shifts out of a hospital in Forest Hills, and the apartment building across the street would show their support audibly every day at 7 p.m. for months, making noise with pots and pans outside their windows.
"People were very aware of what we did," Skura pointed out. "It was very nice to see people coming together in the Forest Hills community to show their appreciation. It felt really good to see that."

With a passion for serving others in times of need, Skura developed her love for the medical field through volunteering in college before becoming an EMT at Northwell.
"My passion for helping people is the top priority for me," Skura said. "I feel accomplished when I'm able to help somebody."
Skura's patch will be distributed to all fans in attendance at the Islanders game on Thursday, April 21st at UBS Arena.
"I'm so thankful that I was able to do this for the First Responders Night and actually be a big part of it." Skura said. "I'm excited. I can't wait for other people to get to see this patch and really appreciate what the First Responders Night is all about."