Henry Barsh (DO ’28), a first-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), and Blue Bell native, was recently honored as a 2024 Star of Life recipient by the American Ambulance Association. Of the 4.6 million first responders across the nation, Barsh was among 143 emergency medical services (EMS) professionals recognized for his extraordinary dedication and life-saving actions. At just 25 years old, Barsh was celebrated for his quick thinking and decisive intervention during a routine EMS call that saved the life of a single mother of three.
Barsh’s passion for medicine began early in childhood while shadowing his grandfather, Horace Barsh, DO ‘61, who is a general practitioner and PCOM alum. “Growing up, I saw how my grandfather built meaningful relationships with his patients while providing compassionate care,” Barsh shared. “I always knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps and attend PCOM.” This dedication to service propelled him to earn a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in anatomy from Case Western Reserve University before becoming an EMT in Washington, D.C., where he discovered his interest in emergency medicine.
During the life-saving incident, Barsh and his EMS partner responded to a routine 911 call from a woman reporting arm pain, initially suspected to be from an injury. However, Barsh quickly identified the true cause—a stroke caused by multiple cervical fractures and a transected artery. Acting decisively, he stabilized the patient, initiated a rapid trauma alert, and ensured immediate transport to a trauma center, where hospital staff commended his actions.
“Receiving the Star of Life Award is truly humbling, but I believe this recognition belongs to every EMT out there,” said Barsh. “We’re all trained to act decisively in moments of crisis, and that’s exactly what I did—I followed my training and trusted my intuition. Every EMT shows up ready to make a difference, and this award is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our entire community.”
On November 12, Barsh received the Star of Life Award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The following day, Barsh met with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman to discuss the importance of EMS services and advocate for S.1673, the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act, a bill designed to ensure fair reimbursement for ambulance providers. Following their conversation, Senator Fetterman signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill on Thursday, November 14.
Barsh’s journey to medical school and his continued passion for emergency care are testaments to his commitment to serving others. As he begins his studies at PCOM, he remains focused on using his experiences to make a lasting impact in the field of emergency medicine.
For the past 125 years, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
Ally Wengel
Public Relations Manager
Email: allywe@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6325
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