SAN DIEGO – Rural/Metro Ambulance of San Diego is proud to announce the recent honor of several employees by the California Emergency Medical Service Authority.
“San Diego is very fortunate to have the caliber of paramedics, EMTs and administrators serving our communities every day,” said Division General Manager Wayne Johnson. “Their hard work and dedication every day does not go unnoticed by us and by their professional peers. We are thrilled to be honored by the state’s EMS leaders for our collective efforts.”
The awards — to be given at a ceremony in San Francisco next month — honor those who are part of a team of EMS leaders and medical professionals whose mandate is not only to provide medical care to those in need, but to also provide leadership and education in order to continue the advancement of EMS in the state of California.
Rural/Metro Paramedic/Registered Nurse (and JEMS contributor) Ricky Rod will receive the Meritorious Service Medal for his dedicated EMS service in San Diego for more than 25 years, and for admirable contributions to the EMS profession.
San Diego Public Relations Manager Reema Makani Boccia will receive the Community Service Award for her exceptional efforts in coordinating a public information program in the San Diego community.
A medical stand-by crew is also receiving a Clinical Excellence Award for outstanding patient care during a San Diego Chargers football game on August 9, 2012, where an attendee suffered numerous implant heart defibrillator complications. Rural/Metro Paramedics Joe Taylor, Garret Estevane and Ryan Judson, along with EMTs Andrew Kelly, Dustin Slikker, Jason Van Zile, and Leanna Navaro were all an integral part of saving the patient’s life.
The mission of the California Emergency Medical Services Authority is to ensure quality patient care by administering an effective, statewide system of coordinated emergency medical care, injury prevention, and disaster medical response.