Emergency Medical Services Heroes Recognized National EMS Week Celebrated in Sullivan County
Emergency Medical Services Heroes Recognized
National EMS Week Celebrated in Sullivan County
Monticello, NY – Garnet Health and Sullivan County’s Bureau of EMS proudly hosted local emergency medical agencies at Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills in Harris on May 20 for the annual EMS Appreciation Luncheon.
Awardees honored at the EMS Appreciation Luncheon included, from the left, Mike Sherwood, Chris Tambini and Tony LaRuffa (all representing Highland Ambulance Service), Diana Duffy, Alex Rau, Susan Sherwood, Dr. Nicki Maxwell and Jayden Stephens.
“Our EMS providers give so much to the communities they serve, so we want to give a little something back to them,” stated Public Safety Commissioner Scott Schulte. “They should know that we all value the commitment and talent they bring to the community, often saving lives in the process.”
In addition to being served a meal courtesy of Garnet Health, attendees joined in a celebration of various awardees who were nominated by their peers:
BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider of the Year Tyler Naumchik of SeniorCare and Mamakating EMS - This award goes to an EMT who is recognized for their contributions to the community, including dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, ingenuity, special skill or insight in the EMS environment.
Naumchik comes from a family of EMS professionals and began his EMT career in 2022. He credits his friend and colleague Nick Cavallucci for helping develop him into the EMT he has become.
One particular event of note was Naumchik’s response to a case involving a 64-year-old female patient complaining of respiratory distress who experienced cardiac arrest moments after his arrival. He immediately initiated CPR with the help of the Monticello Fire Department and Rock Hill EMS until ALS arrived. Naumchik transferred patient care to the ALS provider and continued to assist in patient care and cardiac arrest management during transport to Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills. The patient was revived, and she was ultimately discharged from the hospital.
ALS (Advanced Life Support) Provider of the Year Susan Sherwood of SeniorCare and Livingston Manor EMS - This award goes to an ALS provider who is recognized for their contributions to the community, including dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, ingenuity, special skill or insight in the EMS environment.
Sherwood began as an EMT in 1999, moving on to gain her Paramedic certification in 2005. She has worked for several EMS agencies, while volunteering for Livingston Manor EMS for the past 15 years.
Sherwood is known as an excellent EMT-P who knows her profession. She consistently is quick to analyze a patient’s needs and responds with the most appropriate treatment. She works extremely well with new EMS providers, building their confidence, delegating tasks when appropriate to BLS providers and being a great mentor to the profession.
Agency of the Year Highland Ambulance Service of Eldred - This award goes to an agency which strives for consistency in EMS excellence and exhibits exemplary performance when providing or supporting prehospital emergency medical care.
Highland EMS was born out of the resurrection of the American Legion Ambulance Corps, requiring members to start from scratch in their organizational structure while maintaining patient care to their community. They are handling their call volume as well as assisting with mutual aid on numerous occasions. They are also growing in their skills and capabilities to provide improved services to their community.
Youth Provider of the Year Jayden Stephens of Rock Hill EMS - This award goes to a CFR, EMT or First Aid-certified youth who is recognized for their dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, ingenuity, special skill or insight in the EMS community.
Stephens has been with Rock Hill EMS for under a year and spends countless hours helping wherever he is needed, both with calls and events/committees. He is the first one to raise his hand to volunteer and the first to call in when a page goes out. He has helped lead drills and become a fixture at the corps’ building in such a short time. At 16 years old, he is mature beyond his years. Stephens is currently enrolled in the NYS EMT program at SUNY Sullivan and will be testing soon.
Harriet C Weber EMS Leadership Award, Alex Rau of Livingston Manor EMS and Sullivan County Division of Public Safety - This award goes to an individual exhibiting longevity, innovation/dedication, responsibility, executive and management skills in establishing, maintaining, promoting or expanding EMS organizations, agencies, committees at the community and/or State level.
Rau has consistently demonstrated a deep and unwavering commitment to EMS through his long-standing involvement and the wide range of leadership roles he has held. His dedication is evident not only at the local level, where he serves as a key member of his community ambulance squad, but also at the County, regional, and State levels, where he takes on significant responsibilities that shape EMS policy and practice.
A strong advocate for EMS advancement, Rau has effectively promoted the profession from the local level to the New York State level. His leadership has cultivated a culture of pride and dedication within his ambulance corps, leading to improved recruitment and retention of volunteers. Above all, his work is driven by a clear and consistent focus on doing what is best for the patient.
EMS Education of Excellence, Diana Duffy of the SUNY Sullivan EMT Program - This award goes to an individual who - through outstanding teaching, educational administration/coordination, publication or research - has significantly improved prehospital services at the local, county, regional or state level.
Duffy brings the best of both prehospital and ER knowledge to her classes. Considering her 30-year career as a volunteer EMT and as a Paramedic, Duffy has a unique advantage when it comes to educating the future of EMS. She serves as a CIC for both SUNY Sullivan and Orange County EMS. She constantly challenges all of her students, from the newbies getting their first card to the old-timers who have seen as much as she has over the years. Her entire EMS career has paralleled her 40 years as an ER nurse. She realized early on that, in order to teach and precept EMT/Paramedic students, she needed to become one of them; so she did.
Registered Nurse of Excellence, Julie Swendsen, RN, of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills - The RN of Excellence Award goes to someone who demonstrates dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, ingenuity, special skill or insight.
Whether Swendsen is the charge nurse or the nurse responsible for a patient, she attends carefully to her job with compassion and great professionalism. She always listens to the EMT giving the report, and is always willing to discuss and share best practices. She also answers questions about illnesses and injuries. She is open and honest with patients and caregivers alike. Even when she is tired or has dealt with difficult patients, she has a smile and a kind word.
Physician of Excellence, Nicki Maxwell, DO, of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills - This award is bestowed upon a physician who demonstrates dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, special skill or insight in the prehospital environment.
Dr. Maxwell is an exceptional emergency room physician who consistently goes above and beyond in her care for patients and in her collaboration with EMS personnel. She actively listens to reports provided by EMTs, recognizing their value and incorporating them into her assessment and treatment plans.
Her approach to patient care is marked by a deep understanding of each individual’s situation, combined with genuine compassion. She takes the time to explain procedures and tests to patients in clear, reassuring language, which helps put them at ease during stressful situations.
