Saul Behrman, an athletic therapist with Durham College’s (DC) Campus Health Centre has received the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) Merit Award for his actions during a Durham Lords basketball game in January 2017. The honour recognizes CATA members who through their immediate actions saved a life, prevented serious injury or performed outstanding emergency service.

During the game in January, Saul leaped into action to provide emergency medical attention to a referee. Working alongside a visiting student athletic therapist from Centennial College, Behrman stabilized the referee and then worked with DC’s Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) until paramedics arrived.

“Saul embodies the true definition of hard work and commitment to excellence in carrying out his role in support of our student-athletes,” said DC’s director of Athletics and Recreation, Ken Babcock. “In this case, his training, combined with quick thinking and action, helped save a man’s life.”

Behrman holds both a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a certificate specializing in Athletic Therapy from York University.