{"id":13456,"date":"2025-05-23T12:53:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T16:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=13456"},"modified":"2025-05-23T13:18:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T17:18:36","slug":"governor-glenn-youngkin-celebrates-ems-week-with-special-event-recognizing-the-governors-ems-award-recipients","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/governor-glenn-youngkin-celebrates-ems-week-with-special-event-recognizing-the-governors-ems-award-recipients\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Glenn Youngkin Celebrates EMS Week with Special Event Recognizing the Governor\u2019s EMS Award Recipients"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Immediate Release:<\/strong>\u00a0May 23, 2025
\nContacts:<\/strong>\u00a0Office of the Governor: Peter Finocchio, Peter.finocchio@governor.virginia.gov<\/a>
\nVirginia Department of Health: Marian Hunter, marian.hunter@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Governor Glenn Youngkin Celebrates EMS Week with Special Event Recognizing the Governor\u2019s EMS Award Recipients<\/strong><\/p>\n

RICHMOND, VA\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Governor Glenn Youngkin has proclaimed May 18\u201324, 2025, as\u00a0Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in Virginia<\/a>. To mark the occasion, he hosted a special event at the Virginia Executive Mansion to honor recipients of the 2024 Governor\u2019s EMS Awards. Coordinated by the Virginia Department of Health\u2019s (VDH\u2019s) Office of Emergency Medical Services, these awards represent the highest level of recognition in Virginia\u2019s EMS system and celebrate providers, agencies, and community partners who demonstrate excellence in emergency medical care.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s EMS Week theme, \u201cWe Care. For Everyone,\u201d reflects the vital role EMS professionals play in delivering skilled, compassionate care\u2014anytime, anywhere, to anyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cVirginia\u2019s EMS providers are true heroes\u2014responding with courage, skill, and compassion during life\u2019s most critical moments,\u201d\u00a0said Governor Glenn Youngkin.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cTheir service saves lives every day, strengthens our communities, and makes Virginia\u2019s emergency care system among the best in the nation. It was a privilege to honor them during EMS Week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVirginia\u2019s EMS system is one of the strongest in the country because of the professionals and volunteers who show up for their neighbors in times of crisis,\u201d\u00a0said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThese award recipients remind us of the extraordinary care happening every day across Virginia\u2014from our smallest towns to our largest cities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI extend my heartfelt thanks to the highly skilled and dedicated professionals recognized\u2014and to the countless EMS providers across Virginia who serve with such distinction,\u201d\u00a0said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cWhether restarting a heart, stopping a bleed, reversing an overdose, or assessing for stroke, these providers make a critical difference every day in saving lives and strengthening our emergency response system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year, EMS providers responded to 1.74 million calls for help across Virginia\u2014an average of 4,754 incidents per day. Nearly 40,000 certified EMS professionals and more than 500 agencies deliver skilled, compassionate prehospital care statewide.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an honor to celebrate the contributions of these award winners during Virginia\u2019s EMS Week,\u201d\u00a0said VDH Chief Operating Officer Christopher Lindsay.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThey were nominated by their peers for the important work they\u2019ve done on behalf of Virginia\u2019s EMS System. As a longtime volunteer EMS provider in Virginia myself, I have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for the sacrifices these individuals\u2014and their families\u2014make to provide lifesaving care in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

During EMS Week, Virginia\u2019s EMS agencies host community activities, open houses, and more. These family-friendly events encourage citizens to meet and get to know their local first responders.<\/p>\n

Congratulations\u00a0to the 2024 Governor\u2019s EMS Award recipients:<\/p>\n