LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Lima Memorial Hospital teamed up with the Ohio State University to recognize and celebrate the hard work that first responders do on a daily basis.
The "Touchdown for EMS" honor banquet was Lima Memorial's 29th to share highlights of EMS and first responders in the local community. Many different departments were there to connect, share memories, and cherish their fellow dedication to the field. A number of awards were given throughout the event to honor the services EMS members have provided during their career. In addition to the event, Lima Memorial will recognize first responders by turning the building lights red, white, and blue for national EMS week.
"As soon as an injury happens, whether that's in the street or at your home, it continues all the way through the hospital stay until discharge. So, there's so many team members that come together to take care of that patient that, coming together as a group, and realizing that we are taking care of our community, I think it's really special," says Carrie Valdez, M.D., Medical Director of Trauma, OSU
"We don't do this for the thanks, but it's nice to be appreciated. So, I encourage everybody in their community to get out, you know, and say thank you to your local fire, EMS, and police departments," says Doug Larue, EMS Manager at Lima Memorial.
List of winners:
- EMS Educator of the Year
- Jacob Shook: Apollo Career Center and Wapakoneta Fire Department
- Cardiac Run of the Year
- City of St. Mary’s Fire Department: Kevin Heilers, Ethan Clark, Emma Tobias
- Cardiac: Certificate of Excellence
- BKP Ambulance District: Michelle Prater, Kellie Fortune, John Carl Fortune
- Perry Township Fire Department: Jacob Aldrich and John Sprague
- Medical Run of the Year
- Wapakoneta Fire Department: Zach Chambers and Jacob Steiner
- Delphos Fire Department: Lainey Austin, Devin Rabe
- Trauma Run of the Year
- Wayne Township EMS: Craig Ludwig, Jaden Maxwell, Amy Stevens, Albert Presnell, Charles Presnell, John McConnell, Samantha Danner, Pat Howell
- Indian Lake EMS: Don Thompson
- Auglaize County Sheriff’s Officers: Tanner Hindall and Samantha Wehe
- OB “Stork” Award
- Beaverdam-Richland Fire Department: George Keith, Emma Stricklen
- Stroke Alert Award
- USV EMS: Justin Roberts, Ashlie Goodin
- Departments of the Year
- BKP Ambulance District
- Beaverdam-Richland Fire Department
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Todd Truesdale, Shawnee Fire Department
- James “Mike” Picklesimer, American Township FD and Columbus Grove
