Once again, we are recognizing providers and agencies for the day-to-day care they provide.  This year’s Excellence in Quality and Safety is no exception.

This provider has moved up the ranks from Basic to Critical Care to Paramedic.  He well respected by his coworkers and works diligently as a Paramedic Supervisor at his busy, commercial agency. He watches out for his coworkers, making sure all is well throughout his shift.  Always willing to help a new provider become acclimated, or a student a new skill.  Please congratulate his years Quality and Safety award recipient, Anthony Arrigo.

Anthony Arrigo, 2017 Midstate Quality and Safety Award Winner

This is the first year that MVHS has presented an award for outstanding prehospital stroke care.  We are very lucky to have the Stroke Center, located at the St. Luke’s Campus as part of our region.  With the level of prehospital stroke care that we have in the Midstate Region, it was very hard to wide it down to only call.  So, the Stroke Service had to pick two.

Please congratulate Amber Ross and Andrew Cooney from Vineall Ambulance as well as Khale Davison and Cody Minnig from Prospect Ambulance as this years recipients of the MVHS Stroke Award.

Amber Ross of Vineall Ambulance

Khale Davison of Prospect Ambulance

This year’s recipient of the St. Elizabeth’s Trauma award is Paramedic Kyle Sylvester from  SOMAC Ambualnce.

2017 St. Elizabeth’s Trauma Award

For those that didn’t know Deb Hart, she was an early Midstate Director and, along with a few others, helped create the Midstate Region.  Inspiring cooperation and tirelessly worked to improve our EMS System, she stood for all that is good about EMS in the Midstate Region.

Deb was a dedicated volunteer at Central Oneida County which kind of makes this year’s award even more special.

OK let me set the stage:

• Postage stamps are 15 cents
• Johnny Carson is on the Tonight Show
• Post It notes are introduced
• The Coneheads are on Saturday Night Live
• Lavern and Shirley and Happy Days are ion tv
• The first “test tube baby” is born
• And this years Hart Award recipient becomes a member of COVAC!

The year was 1978.  This is extra special because I know for the first time we are presenting this award to a person that actually did EMS calls with Deb.  A LOT of calls with Deb!

One of the very first Midstate Paramedic’s, a mentor, partner and consistent supporter of EMS please first Thank and help me welcome 40 years or EMS service to our community George Nassar.

Each year we recognize a nurse that is considered by EMS providers as an outstanding champion of EMS. We are blessed in the Midstate Region with hard working dedicated nurses that interact with EMS on a daily basis.  For that we are thankful.

Trying to select one that is all that and is just special was not that difficult this year.  Our 2017 Midstate Nurse of the Year has all those qualifications as well as several more. She became a Basic EMT years ago and has maintained her certification to this day and is still actively treating EMS patients.   She also is the Operational Director of her organization and serves on the Board of Directors of one of our volunteer agencies. Over the past few years, she has experienced different medical issues, and yet, she continues on in all her roles.  The success of her agency is in no small part due to her constant oversight and diligence in making sure her EMT’s are trained and ready.

By now most of the room has probably figured out that the Midstate Registered Nurse of Excellence is our one and only,Diann Lynch.

Diann Lynch Midstate 2017 Nurse of Excellence

Have you ever called 911?  Public Safety Tele-Communicators can be very brisk and direct. They are the first, first response and literally a life line. They are asked to handle pressure from frantic 911 callers, a multitude of responders as well as their bosses

Well tonight we are recognizing a gentleman that has literally been on all three sides. Dispatcher, responder and supervisor.  If anyone knows pressure it has to be our 2017 Midstate Communications specialist.  His emergency service career started 20 years ago with a volunteer fire dept and shortly thereafter as a volunteer with an ambulance service, he started part time dispatching in 2002 and was soon brought on full time the next year.  Today he is a Public Safety Telecommunications Supervisor.

There are many calls providers refer to say nuisance calls, Not our award recipients every call every time handled with professionalism and dedication…EVERY TIME! This year we recognize Herkimer County Tele-Communicator, John Raymond.

John Raymond Midstate 2017 Communication Specialist of the Year

This year we recognize an “unsung EMS hero.”  Someone that may not even recognize himself as a EMS provider.  Are they ever wrong! He is a leader in the truest sense of the word pushing through any obstacles that comes his way, always keeping his “eye on the ball” for the system.

Under his guidance dispatch took on a new role, moving from a simple dispatch to a true communications center, including keeping the most important of the emergency service, EMS, in the forefront.  He ALWAYS does the right thing. He is dogmatic about doing the right thing for his “customers” and staff.

This year we are recognizing one of our own.  He is a previous, long time REMSCO member.  He was able to see past his own area and always looked out for all the Region.

Having taken on numerous challenges throughout his nearly 20 year career with Madison County please congratulate this Midstate Communication Specialist, now retired, Paul Hartnett.  Thank You Paul for all you did for Madison County and Midstate.

Paul Hartnett 2017 Midstate Communication Specialist

So, what is a leader?  Sometimes a teacher, sometimes a mentor, sometimes a friend, but always someone you can turn to with any problem personal or EMS related.  That describes this year’s Midstate Leader.

Tonight’s recipient has endured nearly 40 years of EMS working as provider, educator and administrator.  Many of us were not even born as he entered the field of emergency medicine.

He is leaving a mark in both Midstate and Central NY regions and especially his hometown.  as busy as he is he never rushes a conversation and is willing to take time to listen and share his thoughts and opinions with anyone that asks, always thoughtful and respected we are indeed fortunate to continue to listen to his wisdom.

Camden Fire, Camden Ambulance, Oneida County and the Midstate Region are all a  better place to live and practice EMS thanks to the tireless efforts of this year’s Leadership Award winner. Help us recognize our Midstate Leadership award winner Norman Wallis Jr.

Norm Wallis Jr. 2017 Midstate Leadership Award Recipient

So what does it take to be a  educator? I believe we would all agree it takes knowledge, probably we would all agree it takes the ability to do it, SKILLS, and what separates a good instructor from a routine instructor we believe is passion patience and perseverance.  Tonight we are recognizing just that type of person.  His style of teaching is his own something he created watching and learning from others.

We in Midstate are extremely proud of all our programs First Responder to Paramedic, it is a tribute to our educators that we provide the level of service we enjoy here.  One program stands out and it is a relatively new program. Midstate was one of the first in NY State to embrace it, that is our Opiate Overdose Program.  With a little push from tonight’s instructor we have trained literally thousands of providers in the use of naloxone in opiate overdose situations.

It is hard to even measure the magnitude of his impact on the community with hundreds perhaps thousands instructed in CPR and now Naloxone administration our communities are safer, and families are complete.

Please take the time to thank and congratulate Chris Flemming as Midstate’s Educator of Excellence

2017 Midstate Educator of Excellence Chris Fleming

Our Physician of the Year is no stranger to our area or most of the providers in the room.  He comes from Midstate and is respected among his peers and the Midstate EMS providers.  An Emergency Room Physician that “speaks our language” he is not afraid to take on whatever or whoever, to care for his and our patients. One of our “newer” physicians in the system, it is always good to hear his voice either on the radio or as you enter the ED.

Not one to send in complaints about pre-hospital care providers, this Doc would rather educate and correct situations himself.  AND HE DOES!!

We are pleased to recognize Avinash Kamphampati as the Midstate EMS Physician of the year.

2017 Midstate Physician of Excellence