A West Dallas student saved her sister using her medical training

A Teen’s Quick Thinking Saves Her Sister’s Life

Nevaeh Money was terrified when her sister stopped breathing. In April, the 15-year-old watched as her older sister, Makia Davis, went into a seizure on the living room floor. Nevaeh immediately called for help, alerting their mother, Laquita Jackson, and their brother. She also dialed 911.

As her mother tried to perform CPR, Nevaeh checked Makia’s pulse and airway. There was no beat beneath her skin, and Makia was slipping into cardiac arrest. In that moment, Nevaeh said she “blanked out everything.”

She made sure her sister’s body was flat and began chest compressions to provide oxygen to her brain. She stayed by Makia’s side until paramedics arrived. They managed to get a pulse before transporting Makia to the hospital, where she regained consciousness.

“I wasn’t thinking of what to do, how to do it,” Nevaeh said. “I just did it because I knew I didn’t have time to think. … I was trying not to cry. I was trying not to scream.”

Educators from Nevaeh’s school, Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute, and officials from Baylor Scott & White Health believe her actions highlight the importance of early health care education. By teaching students life-saving skills, they can become first responders in their communities long before entering the workforce.

Transforming Students Into Confident Professionals

The hands-on programs at Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute help students move from passive learners to confident young professionals. According to officials, abstract classroom lessons become practical skills that can make a real difference.

When students like Nevaeh master these techniques, they gain the competence and confidence to act in critical moments. They know they have the knowledge to make a meaningful impact when it matters most.

Makia, now 16, described the incident as a “blur” because she doesn’t remember the seizure. However, she is impressed with her sister’s abilities.

“If it wasn’t for my sister saving my life, I probably would’ve had a funeral by now,” Makia said.

Jackson, their mother, always hoped her children would pursue careers in law, law enforcement, and healthcare. The incident brought the family closer together and made them more aware of each other’s well-being.

Now, the family is using their experience to encourage others to learn essential skills such as CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, or how to use an EpiPen.

“If you can learn something simple… just do it, because you never know when you may need it,” Jackson said.

A New Approach to Health Care Education

Nevaeh is one of the first 161 ninth graders who enrolled at Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute. The students began their training, including CPR, as middle school graduates at the Baylor Scott & White Health administrative building.

When the Uplift Education charter school network opened the health care-focused high school in August 2024, they aimed to create future professionals. But experts say Nevaeh’s actions go beyond typical teenage achievements, especially since she only started learning these skills last May.

Bloomberg Philanthropies selected Uplift Education and Baylor Scott & White Health as one of the 10 education and health care partners nationwide to receive a $14.9 million grant. Their partnership led to the creation of Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute, housed in the Hamon Foundation building in West Dallas.

Uplift Heights Healthcare is a tuition-free, career-technical education high school for students interested in health care careers. The curriculum prepares 300 students for jobs through courses in therapeutic health care, biomedical science, nursing, and health care operations.

Students participate in simulation labs with life-sized mannequins that mimic various diseases and conditions. They also take part in career panels, field trips, mentorship, job shadowing, internships, and summer programs.

“One thing I always emphasize to our scholars is that you will never know when you will need to use this skill,” said Taylor Dominguez, Nevaeh’s medical terminology teacher.

Addressing the Health Care Talent Shortage

By the end of their time at Uplift Heights Healthcare, students earn industry certifications in patient care, medical administration, or medical lab assistance. They also receive dual credit toward degrees from Dallas College, the University of Texas at Arlington, or Texas Woman’s University.

Qualified students have priority job placement with Baylor Scott & White Health, where they can access tuition reimbursement for further education.

This is especially important as the health care industry faces a labor shortage in Texas due to an aging population, pandemic-related challenges, and growing demand.

For Nevaeh, her future is clear: She wants to become a travel nurse. She finds fulfillment in helping others and hopes to teach younger kids about the importance of health care.

“I want to be in the health care field to help other people, to be in a position to teach the younger kids about health care and why it’s important, because it could help with the future,” Nevaeh said. “We actually need more people in the health care field.”