PENINSULAS EMS COUNCIL Announces the 2020 Regional EMS Awards
The Peninsulas Emergency Medical Services (PEMS) Council, Inc., is proud to announce its 2020 Regional EMS award winners today, recognizing the outstanding achievements and notable work of individuals, agencies, organizations and facilities who provide emergency medical services in the PEMS region (Peninsula, Middle Peninsula, and Northern Neck).
“Most of us tend to take for granted that when we need it, we will have ready-access to a comprehensive, coordinated and efficient Emergency Medical Care System (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 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 and agencies 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 2020 Governor’s EMS Awards, which will be announced later this year. Winners will be presented with a trophy and a certificate signed by the Governor.
To find a description of the awards criteria, please visit PEMS website at: http://www.peninsulas.vaems.org/regional-services/regional-ems-awards-program
The 2020 Peninsulas EMS Council Regional Award Recipients
- Excellence in EMS (Michael B. Player Award) – David L. Justis, M.D., Operational Medical Director, West Point Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad
- Outstanding EMS Leadership (Russell Lowry, Jr. Award) – Mitchell L. Paulette, EMT-I. Richmond County Department of Emergency Services
- Outstanding EMS Agency – Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue
- Outstanding Prehospital Provider (Joseph B. Howard Award) – Christopher A. Judkins, N.R.P., James City County Fire Department
- Innovation Excellence in EMS – Peninsulas COVID-19 Operations Center (City of Hampton, City of Newport News, City of Poquoson, City of Williamsburg, James City County, York County, Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital, Hampton VA Medical Center, Riverside Doctors Hospital of Williamsburg, Riverside Regional Medical Center, Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Navy Regional Mid-Atlantic, Hampton/Peninsula Health Districts, Peninsulas EMS Council )
- Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a Physician (Gaylord W. Ray, M.D. Award) – Amir K. Louka, M.D., Operational Medical Director for James City County Fire Department, Virginia Commonwealth University Emergency Medicine
- Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a Nurse (Melissa Holloway, R.N. Award) – Sara A. Watkins, R.N., Riverside Regional Medical Center
- Outstanding Prehospital Educator – Tamara L. McDaniel, N.R.P., Richmond County Department of Emergency Services
- Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children – Northumberland County Emergency Services
- Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health and Safety – Edward B. Cantwell, III, City of Hampton, Division of Fire and Rescue
- Outstanding EMS Telecommunications Dispatcher – Tabbel B. Abrams, EMT, Newport News Police Department Communications Division
- Outstanding Contribution to EMS Preparedness and Response – Sherl Emerson, York County Department of Fire and Life Safety
- Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior ($1,000 Scholarship) – Seth C. Craig, V, EMT, Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue
President’s Awards:
- Exceptional Services for the PEMS Council as Regional Medical Director 2007-2020 – Cheryl L. Lawson, M.D., Riverside Regional Medical Center, Operational Medical Director, Newport News Fire Department
Special Recognition Awards:
- Outstanding EMS Call – York County Department of Fire and Life Safety – December 22, 2019 75 vehicle Crash on Interstate 64.
- Daily COVID-19 Updates for the Local Health Districts – Kevin G. Pearce, Hampton/Peninsula Health Districts
- Daily VDEM Region 5 COVID-19 Sit-Reps/Weekly COVID Calls – Bruce Sterling, Virginia Department of Emergency Services
- COVID Digests – Amy L. Green, Eastern Virginia Healthcare Coalition
- VDH Partners COVID-19 Conference Calls – VDH Office of Emergency Preparedness
- Regional Council Weekly COVID-19 Conference Calls – VDH Office of EMS
- Outstanding Service Leadership - Jeffrey A. Bendit, N.R.P. – Peninsulas EMS Council
- Outstanding Service Leadership – Paul D. Hoyle, N.R.P – Peninsulas EMS Council
