Governor’s EMS Award winners announced at annual Virginia Ems Symposium

The 2016 Governor’s Emergency Medical Services Award winners were recently announced at the 37^th annual Governor’s EMS Awards Ceremony in Norfolk. Governor Terry McAuliffe recognized 11 outstanding EMS providers and organizations from across the Commonwealth for their hard work and dedication to the EMS system.

The awards are presented in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services Annual EMS Symposium. This weeklong training event is the largest EMS training event in the Commonwealth and one of the largest in the nation. The symposium welcomes more than 1,600 providers and issues approximately 22,558 hours of continuing education credits.

“I am inspired by their level of excellence and commitment to Virginia’s EMS system,” said State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP. “Their continued dedication to protect the health and well-being of all citizens will help drive Virginia to become one of the healthiest states in the nation.”

“I am so honored to recognize the vast accomplishments of these talented EMS providers and organizations,” said Gary Brown, director, Office of EMS. “Working in this field is not easy because it requires long hours and holidays away from family and friends, countless time dedicated to training and maintaining continuing education, and being ready to respond to an emergency at any time. It is because of their devotion and achievements that I am so proud of these providers and their contributions to EMS in Virginia.” 

2016 Governor’s EMS Award winners

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Excellence in EMS – Gary A. Dalton, Valley Medical Transport
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Administrator (The Kent J. Weber Trophy) – Kevin T. Stiles, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS (The Frank M. Yeiser Trophy) – Paul A. Phillips, DO, Johnston Memorial Hospital and Dante Rescue Squad
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Nurse with Outstanding Contribution to EMS – Robin Manke, RN, VCU Health System
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Prehospital Educator – Josh Wilkinson, City of Bristol and Southwest Virginia EMS Council
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Prehospital Provider – Joshua D. Phillips, Lynchburg Fire Department
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health and Safety – Katherine West, Infection Control and Emerging Concepts, Inc.
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children –
  Wanda Willis, Harrisonburg Fire Department and Safe Kids Central Shenandoah Valley
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Agency – Richmond Ambulance Authority
• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Telecommunications – Jennifer A. Bowman, Shenandoah County Emergency Communications Center (ECC)
• New award this year – The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Emergency Preparedness and Response (The James A. Nogle, Jr. Trophy) –
  Stephen P. Kopczynski, York County Department of Fire and Life Safety

An additional award is presented at the ceremony to recognize the outstanding contributions to EMS by a high school senior. This is a scholarship award provided by the State EMS Advisory Board.

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior (The Dr. Carol Gilbert $5,000 Scholarship) – Nathan S. Welch, Stephens City Fire and Rescue Company, Inc.