Kevin Morrissey (BUMA ’88): Turning Setbacks into Strength

By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

Hours before screams and sirens echoed across campus, SUNY Broome’s 2025 Mock Disaster opened in the quiet darkness of the Little Theatre. More than 150 soon-to-be first responders and healthcare professionals sat in silence as a spotlight hit center stage. Carefully making his way to the microphone, Kevin Morrissey (BUMA ’88) opened his presentation with words of gratitude. “Thank you for courageously choosing your professions and for allowing SUNY Broome to play a part in your journey.” 

Morrissey wasn’t addressing the group as a fellow police officer, paramedic, or nurse, but rather as the recipient of their collective care on September 26, 1981, and throughout the weeks, months, and years that followed. After detailing the traumatic car accident that resulted in paraplegia from the chest down, Morrissey thoughtfully recounted each moment with the responders and providers who supported his immediate survival and eventual rehabilitation.  The message behind his keynote address was simple, but poignant. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself in your patient’s shoes, respond with compassion, and be mindful of the future struggles that may follow.”

Morrissey’s story begins in Johnson City, NY. A gifted athlete, he amassed an impressive collection of titles and records in track and field throughout his high school career. After graduating from Johnson City High School, he enrolled at Buffalo State University in the hopes of becoming an industrial arts teacher. One weekend, Morrissey and four friends drove to Ithaca College for a football game. Sick with the flu, he decided to lie down on the van’s rear bench, hoping to sleep through the trip home. As they drove out of Ithaca, their car was struck head-on by a vehicle cruising around a hairpin turn. The inertia of the impact sent Morrissey flying, colliding with the back of the front seat.

At this point in Morrissey’s Mock Disaster address, he broke down the next chapter of his story hour by hour, to highlight each critical interaction with the police officers, paramedics, nurses, radiologic technologists, doctors, and therapists who responded in his time of need. Especially early on, before his family could be contacted, these were the people he clung to for comfort and support. 

His earliest memory was waking up on the ground, where he was met by police officers and EMTs. Because their van was leaking fuel and smoke, the first responders made the critical decision to move him to a safer location nearby. They were the first to assess and stabilize him. But most importantly, they were the first to console him, assuring him that his friends were safe and that more help was on the way. 

He next addressed the nurses. By then, Morrissey had been transported to Keuka Medical Center’s emergency room, shivering, crying, and drifting in and out of consciousness. That’s when he met the first of many nurses who would impact his life. 

“She was almost angelic. I still remember her holding my hand and softly asking me questions like where I went to school. She had tears in her eyes, ” Morrissey reflected. “By then, it was decided that I needed to be transferred to Binghamton General Hospital (BHG). She begged to come with me in the ambulance, but they wouldn’t let her. I’ll never forget her kindness.”

The radiologic technologists in the room were told about how, upon arriving at BHG, Morrissey required extensive diagnostic testing. While strapped to the imaging machine, he suffered a severe allergic reaction to the contrast dye, causing him to vomit profusely. As he aspirated, the quick-thinking radiologic technologist screamed for help and carefully moved him to prevent him from choking. Shortly after this near-death experience, Morrissey and his medical team realized the severity of his prognosis.

“I had such severe swelling in my back that no one was sure of the extent of my injury. I was in spinal shock, so I just felt numb,” Morrissey explained. “I was speaking to the nurses, and I had no idea that the doctor was poking me with a pin up and down my legs. I knew then that I was in trouble. They decided that it would be best for me to recover locally in the hospital’s new spinal cord trauma unit.” 

He then detailed his months recuperating under the care of physiatrists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, most notably, Dr. George Sandiford, after whom the Rehabilitation Center at UHS Binghamton General Hospital is named. 

Morrissey’s recovery was not without low lows. An infection early on caused a substantial setback. When he finally rebuilt his strength, he was told that he would never father children, prompting him to hurl his lunch tray at the young doctor who delivered an (incorrect) prognosis. Though there were small and big wins each week, the reality of the trauma of his accident and its aftermath took a massive toll on Morrissey’s mental health and personal relationships. Some days, he was an excellent patient; others, he was admittedly “an argumentative pain.” But through it all, his rehabilitation progressed. Thanks to an immense amount of personal strength, coupled with compassionate support from his dedicated medical team, Morrissey was able to return to his newly adaptive home just months after his injury. 

“Even during the darkest moments, God was with me,” Morrissey reflected. “My faith brought me out of it.” 

It took some time, but Morrissey eventually transitioned to his new way of living. He reconnected with old friends and met his future wife of 38 years, Liz. Like many of his life-long Broome County peers, he accepted a job at IBM as a soldering technician. While everyone was overjoyed that Morrissey “got in at IBM,” he wanted more. 

“Everyone was mad at me for turning down a ‘good job’ at IBM, but Dr. Sandiford really pushed me not to settle for a mediocre future,” Morrissey reflected. “He spoke to me like a coach speaks to an athlete, and instructed me to pull out the fight in me. He was the one who first suggested that I go to SUNY Broome.”

Bound for Broome in 1986, Morrissey enrolled in the Marketing, Management, and Sales: A.A.S. program. The then Dean of Business, Bill Davenport, and Professor Bob Fitzgerald, immediately noticed his natural talent for sales, and nurtured his growth. Life flourished for Morrissey during his SUNY Broome era. He thrived in the classroom, married his beloved Liz, and defied doctors when the couple announced that they were expecting their first child, SUNY Broome’s own Associate Professor and Chairperson for Criminal Justice & Emergency Services, Leigh T. Martindale!

After graduating from SUNY Broome with honors and the coveted Business Club Award, Morrissey began a successful 25+ year career in marketing and sales. He spent a large portion of his professional life as the Marketing Director of Penguin Group USA’s health, fitness, and wellness division. 

Though no longer able to leap hurdles, Morrissey never lost his love for obstacle racing. A natural teacher, he began coaching for his high school alma mater. In 2016, his 1979 record for the 400-meter hurdles was finally broken by a student athlete whom he trained. Morrissey was inducted into the Johnson City Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

Morrissey closed his Mock Disaster address with a hopeful message. During his early days confined to his bed, full of fears about his future, he could never have imagined how full and meaningful his life would become. As the father of four beautiful daughters, grandfather to a brood of cuties, and mentor to many, Morrissey’s life was and is far from mediocre. 

“I always joke that there are some hidden perks to my life. All my friends are complaining about knee problems, which I don’t have. And I rarely need to buy new shoes,” Morrissey laughed. “Sure, I miss things like feeling the cold water rush along my legs while trout fishing, but in all sincerity, the blessings in my life far outweigh the negatives.”

Morrissey’s Impression of the Mock Disaster: “This was an incredibly powerful experience. I got choked up at one point. I didn’t realize that it would bring me right back to my accident almost 40 years ago. I was so impressed with how the students responded. SUNY Broome is training some of the best.”

Read more inspiring stories in the Fall 2025 edition of BROOME Magazine: bit.ly/broomefl2025

Tags: Alumni, Business and Professional Studies Division, Business: Marketing Management and Sales AAS, Profile, Student Profile