Peninsulas EMS Council Recognizes Excellence In EMS

June 14, 2016

For More Information Contact

Paul Hoyle
performance improvement coordinator
Peninsulas EMS Council, Inc.
804-693-6234
Phoyle@vaems.org
Tristen Graves
public relations assistant
Virginia Department of Health
804-888-9115
Tristen.Graves@vdh.virginia.gov

(GLOUCESTER, Va.) – The Peninsulas Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc. recognized regional EMS personnel for their notable service to the community at the third annual EMS Day celebration, May 28, at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.

“Most of us tend to take for granted that when we need it, we will have ready-access to a comprehensive, coordinated, efficient and effective EMS system provided by caring, knowledgeable and skilled clinicians. That kind of a system does not just happen. It is the result of tens-of-thousands of hours of hard work, undertaken by thousands of dedicated individuals,” said Michael Player, executive director of the Peninsulas EMS Council, Inc. “Recognizing the excellence in our regional EMS system through the Regional EMS Awards program is critical to ensuring that their hard work does not go unnoticed, unappreciated, and most importantly, unsupported. The Peninsulas EMS Council is proud to showcase its high performance system, and the individuals selected by their peers, who make our communities a better and safer place to live and work.”

Recipients of this year’s regional awards will have the chance to compete for the prestigious 2016 Governor’s EMS Awards, which will be announced at the Virginia EMS Symposium’s Annual Awards Ceremony, Nov. 12 in Norfolk. Winners will be presented with a trophy and a certificate signed by the Governor.

“I am honored to acknowledge the remarkable level of service and dedication shown by these regional award winners,” said Gary Brown, director of the Virginia Office of EMS. “Their commitment to providing lifesaving patient care to citizens in their community make them worthy of such recognition.”

The 2016 Peninsulas EMS Council Regional Award Recipients:

  • Excellence in EMS (Michael B. Player Award) Thomas J. Beasley, Westmoreland County Emergency Service
  • Outstanding EMS Administrator (Russell Lowry, Jr. Award)Phil Shahan, Jr., Mid-County Volunteer Rescue Squad
  • Outstanding EMS Agency – Medical Transport, LLC
  • Outstanding Prehospital Provider (Joseph B. Howard Award ) Bradley S. Beam, Williamsburg Fire Department
  • Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS – Lisa M. Dodd, D.O., Riverside Tappahannock Hospital, Northumberland Department of Emergency Services
  • Nurse with Outstanding Contribution to EMS (Melissa Holloway Award) Shanon Beam, R.N., LifeEvac 3
  • Outstanding Prehospital Educator – William Ken Carter, Newport News Fire Department
  • Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children – Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue
  • Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health and Safety – Katherine West, R.N., Infection Control-Emerging Concepts, Inc.
  • Outstanding EMS Telecommunications Dispatcher – Ashley Cunningham, York-Poquoson-Williamsburg Emergency Communications Center
  • Outstanding Contribution to EMS Preparedness and Response – Stephen P. Kopczynski, York County Department of Fire and Life Safety
  • Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior ($1,000 Scholarship) – Hannah R. Craig, Gloucester Volunteer Fire & Rescue

Special Recognition:

  • Call of the Year  – Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue, Hampton Police Department
  • Special RecognitionRegional EMS Service – Curtis Mason, Sr., Mattaponi Rescue Squad
  • Special Recognition – Lifetime EMS Achievement and Service – J. David Barrick, Assistant Fire Chief – EMS Operations, Newport News Fire Department
  • Special Recognition – Paul Hoyle – PEMS Website
  • Regional EMS System Partnership Award PEMS Council, Inc. 2016 Platinum Partner – Riverside Health System
  • Regional EMS System Partnership AwardPEMS Council, Inc. 2016 Gold Partner Sentara Healthcare
  • Regional EMS System Partnership Award PEMS Council, Inc. 2016 Gold Partner Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System