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KEMSA AWARD WINNERS 2014

The 2014 KEMSA Award Winners were recognized at the 2014 Last Blast of Summer “Honoring Our Own” Awards Banquet on Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Wichita, Kansas. Learn about why they were nominated below.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – FRANK LEIBHAM

Frank Leibham, formerly with Quinter Ambulance Service, was the recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award. Leibham was one of the founders of the Quinter Ambulance Service with his original certification coming out of the University of Kansas in 1973 (before they were even called EMTs). Frank served as a dedicated volunteer member of the Quinter Ambulance Service until Dec 31, 2008 for a total of 35 uninterrupted years. He transitioned through many levels of training so he could continue to serve his community. His years spent are a testament of his commitment to his community and the EMT profession he loved. For many years, the Quinter Ambulance Service found themselves down to 5 or 6 volunteer EMTs, but Leibham never suffered burn out. He had a full-time job, worked for the local electric company, served on the Quinter City Council and on the school board of USD 293, and was a volunteer fireman for Quinter Fire and Rescue. But, his civic duty didn’t start in Quinter, as he also served in the US Army in the mid and late 1950s. Leibham is a devoted husband and father to three sons and a daughter.

In sharing his numerous experiences with the Quinter Ambulance Service, his passion is evident as he fights back tears recalling some of his toughest runs. He often shares stories of being called out on runs and having to take a station wagon used as a hearse by the local funeral home, grabbing a “crash bag” filled with first aid supplies. His fellow responders would tell you he was always FIRST there with the hearse running and ready to go. They often joked in fact that he must sleep in his boots, because they couldn’t figure out how the first person there lived the farthest from the station.

Over the years, Leibham stressed diligently that his service and team mates advance their skills by attending all of the trainings that they could. Many of the founding members all traveled to trauma training in Denver, packing into the very hearse they used to respond to runs. Leibham would be proud of what he learned, especially as it related to agriculture trauma and motor vehicle accidents and was excited to share what he learned in the monthly meetings. He has told newer members of this service how important it was to stay abreast of the available training and always supported that the service should pay for the supplemental training for team members to keep informed.

One cannot imagine the number of lives Leibham has touched. In his 35 years, he has seen the unimaginable. He always knew that being an EMT on this rural service not only meant medical intervention, but that it also meant wiping tears, holding a frightened hand, and hugging a family member whose loved one had passed away. He was insistent that these characteristics were some of the most important to possess, and that each of us always stay true to that.

The Quinter Ambulance Service is one of the last (if not THE last) rural private EMS services in the state. It is not owned or operated by a municipality, county or hospital, rather the governance comes from the 20 committed volunteers. This is only possible because the human character embodied by Leibham serves as the mold as each new member joins.

This award is given to and individual whose contributions to pre-hospital care have been consistent and long lasting, representing in effect, a lifetime of outstanding service to the profession and to the public.

PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD – DARLENE WHITLOCK

Darlene Whitlock is the recipient of the 2014 Presidential Leadership Award. Each year, the KEMSA President gets to choose a KEMSA member who helps KEMSA grow and progress and honor them with the Kansas EMS Presidential Leadership Award. Whitlock is an individual who has humbly worked to improve the delivery of patient care across the state of Kansas and has had a dramatic impact on the EMS profession. She began her nursing career in 1970 after receiving her nursing diploma from the Bethany Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, Kan. Since that time she has progressed to the level of an Advanced Practice Nurse and is currently certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. Whitlock’s involvement in Kansas Emergency Medicine is multifaceted on many levels. She is involved in the Emergency Nurses Association, Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma, American Heart Association, Kansas Medical Society, Kansas EMS Provider Education, and the Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma to name a few. Through the Committee on Trauma, she has been an advocate for educational programs across the state. Some of those courses include: PHTLS, Rural Trauma Team Development, ATLS, and Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC). She infamously racked up over 170,000 miles on her little green VW Beetle over the course of just three years while out teaching.

Some of her other programs include Injury Prevention programs for Teen Driving, Intervention for Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Seat Belt Safety, and Graduated Driver’s Licenses. Through the students that she has reached with these programs, literally tens of thousands of patients have been impacted.

Over the past several years Whitlock has served as the Project Coordinator for EMS Model Protocol Project through the Kansas Medical Society. It was a daunting effort to the keep this committee on task. Whitlock was up to the challenge and has produced a Model set of EMS protocols for the state. Whitlock is also actively involved with Kansas Emergency Nurses Association and this year she worked hand in hand with KEMSA to seek out legislation to levy harsher penalties against people who assault and batter emergency providers. She stood firm that getting assaulted at work isn’t just part of the job description for emergency providers.

The nomination said, “I often heard the best measure of a person’s life is how much of it is given away. Giving away your time and talent not for the purpose of getting more stuff, but for making your profession, your community, simply making people…..BETTER… [Whitlock] has certainly accomplished that…”

EMT OF THE YEAR AWARD - STACIE VANDEWEERD

Stacie Vandeweerd, AEMT with Atchison County EMS, was the recipient of the 2014 EMT of the Year Award. Vandeweerd was nominated for this award for her dedication to her patients and her EMS service, advocacy for patients and peers, and her open acceptance and training of new staff. Her nomination mentioned that her dedication to her patients and service shows as she approaches every shift with a tremendous work ethic and looks for ways to improve the care given to patients. Her nomination said, “[Vanderweerd] approaches each patient encounter as a chance to make an improvement in someone’s day. She realizes that no matter how serious or minor the emergency is, that she is there at a bad time in the patient’s life. She can provide care across a broad spectrum of the patient’s needs, whether it be clinical or emotional needs she provides quality care in a calm reassuring manner.”

Vanderweerd is also on the service’s Quality Assurance committee, which advocates for patients and peers. Chart review is very important to her, and she makes it a constructive process. She also openly accepts new staff into her service, and leads the orientation of new EMTs when they are hired.

Her nomination said, “Her attention to detail assures that orientees are educated in not only the clinical aspect of their job, but she also educates them on the details of day to day operations. Whether it is cleaning the ambulance or the station, map study or those little tricks of the trade, [Vanderweerd]’s orientees have clear expectations of their job upon release from orientation.” She also works with her co-workers to ensure they continue to have motivation to do their job to the best of their ability.

This award is for a Kansas EMT who has significantly contributed to EMS at the community, state and/or national level. It can be any level of EMT.

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD - BILL AUCHTERLONIE

Bill Auchterlonie, Paramedic/ALS Instructor at Hutchinson Community College, was the recipient of the 2014 Donald E. White Educator of the Year. After 31 years of service on the streets and supervising roles at Sedgwick County EMS, retirement brought Auchterlonie to Hutchinson Community College. He started his new career as a full-time paramedic educator for HCC in 2005. He has taught eight paramedic classes with class number nine almost completed. He also teaches EMD classes, is an Academy Fellow and instructor for the National Academy of Emergency Medical dispatch, the Kansas PHTLS state coordinator and supports Kansas EMS in many efforts.

Numbers are one measure of a teacher’s success rate in the classroom, and Auchterlonie’s numbers certainly speak to success. His pass rate for the National registry practical exam is 100% and written exam is 93% over the last five years. The paramedic program is successful in educating students as evidenced in the numbers. However, numbers are only one small way to evaluate a teacher’s success in the classroom. EMTs and Paramedics across the state recognize the name. He has contributed to the educational achievement of many students, and many have stated that Auchterlonie was instrumental in their EMS education. The students fondly recall their teacher and the learning environment to grow each student into fulfilling their potential.

Auchterlonie’s enthusiasm for teaching is evident. His nomination said, “His passion for EMS and for sharing that knowledge is demonstrated throughout his teaching. His contagious enthusiasm flourishes his students desire to excel. His knowledge, sense of humor and warm manner make his classrooms an enjoyable educational experience. He can apply experience, both trials and successes, to the curriculum. A running list has been kept of ‘Bill-isms’, unique sayings and quotes that he has shared to impart important knowledge.”

Educators are challenged to find new and different ways to cover curriculum. Auchterlonie includes different hands on activities to enhance the learning process. Experiments, scenarios and skill activities are different methodologies he incorporates into the education program. Learning in his classroom goes beyond lecture style lessons. He also provides learning opportunities for his students by coordinating shifts for his students at the Sedgwick County dispatch center, Wichita Police Department and other departments. This is a unique opportunity for his students to experience other public service opportunities as the students are learning how to integrate EMS with outside agencies.

The nomination said, “I believe [Auchterlonie] is the very essence of what this award means.”

This award recognizes an outstanding instructor of initial or continuing EMS education. The nominee must be a Kansas Instructor Coordinator or Training Officer who is recognized by the Kansas Board of EMS to conduct initial courses of instruction or continuing education instruction.

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD – MARK WILLIS

Mark Willis, Chief of Newton Fire/EMS, was the recipient of the 2014 Administrator of the Year Award. The nomination said, “It would be easy to list all of the things [Willis] has brought to Newton Fire/EMS over the last several years, but the number one reason he is the Administrator of the Year is his commitment to ensuring his members have the resources they need to succeed: tools, equipment, training, and organizational support. He exhausts all avenues to make sure there’s money for the stuff that’s important, and that stuff consists of those things that keep his people safe and effective.”

Willis, Paramedic I/C, serves as the Chief for the Newton Fire/EMS Department. He began his career in 1982 as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with Whitewater, KS Fire Department and began his employment in Newton in 1985. He has served as a tactical paramedic, flight paramedic, an adjunct EMS instructor, and Deputy Chief. He is a charter member of KEMSA and has served in numerous leadership positions with KEMSA and Region III EMS. He just fulfilled his final year as a KEMSA Board member and did not run for re-election. Willis is a member of the Major Emergency Response Group (MERGe) Command Team, the Fire Operations Resource Coordination (FORCe) Command Team, and the Southcentral Kansas Incident Management Team (SCKIMT). Willis also has been instrumental in writing and administering grants from MMRS for disaster medical equipment and supplies, Department of Homeland Security for EMS communications (radios) and MERGe equipment.

He believes in the importance of Newton Fire/EMS being part of the community and he works to lead by example. For instance, a few of the guys on the department have been taking turns driving Miss Margaret to dialysis for a few years. The first time was during a blizzard when the streets of Newton were snow covered and the taxis weren’t running. They had a staff vehicle dedicated to making dialysis runs for a couple of days. After that, one of their guys volunteered to take Miss Margaret to KU Medical Center in Kansas City about once a month, and now they take her to a dialysis center in Newton three times a week. Willis picks up Miss Margaret at 0415 to take her to dialysis then takes her home at 0815 once or twice a week, depending on the rotation.

In order to get this award, the nominee must be an administrator who has made a significant contribution to EMS Administration on a local, state or national level, and whose primary responsibility is the direction of individuals involved in the delivery of pre-hospital care.

SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD – DR. ED BERGER

Dr. Ed Berger, former President of Hutchinson Community College, was the recipient of the 2014 EMS Support Person of the Year. Dr. Berger has 32 years of experience as a community college instructor and administrator and served as the President of Hutchinson Community College since 1991. His retirement was effective July 1, 2014. The EMS program at Hutchinson Community College was formed in the late 1970s with EMT classes. Dr. Berger was appointed Dean of Continuing Education in 1981 and under his leadership and support, the EMS program grew to the point that a full-time EMS Program Coordinator was hired in 1987 with the goal of making Hutchinson Community College the leader in EMS Education in the State of Kansas. After Dr. Berger was appointed President of Hutchinson Community College, the EMS program continued to flourish to the point that the program now has 12 full-time employees and more than 100 lab assistants. The semester that just completed had 14 EMT programs and three paramedic programs. The EMT programs are even based in Wichita High Schools. The EMS program at Hutchinson Community College is not only an accredited program, but recognized across the country as one of the premier EMS training programs.

Dr. Berger’s support has been both philosophically and financial and is not only demonstrated by the growth of the EMS program, but the college’s support to the Regional EMS Council and Regional Homeland Security Council. One of the Kansas EMS Disaster Response trailers and trained personnel that support the Kansas Major Emergency Response Group (MERGe) is based at Hutchinson Community College with EMS educational staff used as trained personnel to support this unit.

His insight on the importance of developing relationships and seeing the big picture have resulted in not only support to the Kansas EMS Association’s Annual Conference, but the ever growing and very popular Field Operations event that has paramedic students from not only Hutchinson Community College, but other EMS programs attend a two-day event and run scenario based calls with Kansas and Oklahoma EMS services, as well as Police and Fire agencies from across Kansas. It even involves delivering moulaged patients to an Emergency Department, on-site with actual physicians and nursing staff. Total number of participants for the Field Operations program this year was 429 people.

Dr. Berger certainly understands that when a student leaves the EMS program at Hutchinson Community College and enters his or her EMS career that when they make contact with a citizen who calls for help that they not only represent the agency in which they are employed but also Hutchinson Community College.

This award recognizes an individual whose efforts enhance EMS in Kansas through their actions as a First Responder, Nurse, Dispatcher, Law Enforcement Officer, Pilot, Supervisor or other individual who would not fit into the other categories for individual recognition. Nominations had to include information about a continuous positive effort by the individual to enhance the quality of EMS or a specific event.

PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD – DR. DEBORAH SMITH

Dr. Deborah Smith, anesthesiologist and Medical Director for Jackson, Osage and Atchison County EMS, was the recipient of the 2014 Physician of the Year Award. Dr. Smith is currently a Kansas Certified and Nationally Registered Paramedic. After years of experience as an anesthesiologist, she developed a passion for EMS. She had such an interest in EMS that she completed the Creighton paramedic bridge program. She did this not only to understand what providers face in the field, but to actually be a practicing field provider and routinely takes shifts on an ambulance. She has volunteered her time on calls, education, and activities in the community with the utmost professionalism. She has brought to the service a personal devotion that starts and ends with a commitment for patient care. Dr. Smith is also a past appointee to the Kansas Board of EMS.

In addition to being a medical director for Jackson, Osage, and Atchison County EMS, she serves as the Medical Director for numerous other providers. She oversees the EMD programs in each of those counties and for more than 15 volunteer first responder fire department organizations.

These services are able to have progressive protocols and state of the art equipment due to Dr. Smith’s participation. She is actively involved in the Quality Assurance process by not only providing chart reviews and constructive feedback, but she participates in evolving provider education. She works with an education team on improving the State education program providership. She attends meetings and education seminars with EMS staff and works continuously on enhancing protocols.

In order to get this award, the nominee must be a Kansas licensed physician who provides commendable service to the benefit of EMS in Kansas. The physician can be an Emergency Department physician, service Medical Director or any other physician who has provided a positive impact to Kansas EMS.

SERVICE OF THE YEAR AWARD – FRANKLIN COUNTY EMS

Franklin County EMS was the recipient of the 2014 Type I Service of the Year Award. Franklin County EMS is an ALS Type 1 third service that services Franklin County. The service became Type 1 in 1999. Since then the service has progressively grown to have three ambulances stationed at three stations 24/7/365 to provide advance life support medical care to the sick and injured.

Today Franklin County has made several innovations in pre-hospital care, including 12 lead EKG transmissions directly to doctors, a partnership with KU Medical Center for advance stroke recognition and care, and new protocols that eliminate the use of long spine boards. The service began transmitting 12 leads to Olathe Medical Center in 2008 to lessen the time of door to balloon and also to enable the ER doctor and cardiologist to already start to assess the situation that was coming in. This advancement has had a positive impact on patients and is one way that Franklin County puts its patients first.

The second way Franklin County EMS places its patients first, is its new partnership with KU Medical Center. This program enhances the EMS pre-hospital care for Franklin County because it ensures that the technicians are trained better to recognize a stroke or stroke related signs and symptoms to accurately and fast to make sure the patient is transported to the appropriate facility immediately to lessen the effects of the stroke on the patient.

The next thing the service has done, is the elimination of long spine boards for transportation of the patient with possible head, neck, and spine trauma. This new addition to the pre-hospital care is serving the patients better by giving them a smoother and more comfortable ride to the hospital without causing further harm or pain to the patient. This is an evidence-based practice that betters the overall pre-hospital care for patients who would normally get a long spine board for no other reason than an unwitnessed fall without injury.

Franklin County EMS has 2 EMT-Bs, 8 AEMTs, and 17 EMT-Ps that make up the crews that staff three full-time 24 hour a day trucks. All personal are trained to ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, and AMLS standards. Two paramedics are trained to ABLS standards.

Franklin County has several public education projects. During EMS Week this year, Franklin County went to the assisted living centers in Ottawa and gave talks about fall prevention and other related topics to assist the elderly in learning about what can cause falls and how to recognize them before they occur. Franklin County also partners with Central Heights School and teaches a boys and a girls CPR class to the incoming freshman. This has been going on for several years now. Franklin County EMS also partners with the Ottawa Police Department and teaches kids the safety of bike riding and also fits each child with a new bike helmet.

Franklin County EMS is dedicated to safety, and strives every day to not only better themselves as a department, but also better the lives they are protecting on a daily basis.

This award recognizes an EMS system that exemplifies outstanding professionalism and service to the community it serves. It can go to any Kansas licensed Emergency Medical Service as a Type I or an air service.

CARA EVERHART AWARD – SAFE KIDS KIOWA COUNTY

Safe Kids Kiowa County is the recipient of the 2014 Cara Everhart Award from the Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association (KEMSA) in partnership with Kansas Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC). Safe Kids Kiowa County (SKKC) was nominated for its dedication and exceptional service to the citizens of Kiowa County. SKKC is an organization made up of members from different aspects of the healthcare system, law enforcement, childcare system, and community service organizations along with individuals who want to help prevent childhood injuries. SKKC is part of a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent childhood injury in children 14 and under.

SKKC works with the local schools to offer different safety events. In the past three years, these programs have included: a Bike Rodeo, a Summer Safety Event covering Pool Safety, Lawn Mower Safety, Fireworks Safety, ATV Safety, Airsoft Gun Safety, Lake Safety, Fire Safety, and Poison Prevention, and Child Passenger Safety Week. This year, SKKC will be hosting a series of awareness programs regarding Child Passenger Safety. Each session will be focused on a specific age group to best meet the learning abilities of the children and will be held free of charge. Child Passenger Safety Fun Night is for ages 2-6. Parents will be educated about being safe inside and outside of moving and parked vehicles. Coalition members will keep their children entertained with various activities such as face painting, Wii sports, dancing, coloring contest, bowling, and sand art.

The Cub Scout Automotive Patch Program is for ages 7-10. These hands-on educational activities are conducted by coalition members and held at a Chevrolet dealership. The Safest Generation targets 11-12 year olds to increase the number of preteens who buckle up in a backseat. The Countdown 2 Drive will focus on key safety issues teens will face as they prepare to drive. This will consist of driving a golf cart through an obstacle course while texting.

SKKC has 4 certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) in their coalition. These technicians focus on child passenger safety and inspect and install car seats free of charge throughout the year. SKKC also participates in annual events throughout the community. The Kiowa County Conservation District hosts a Conservation Day each year for 4th-5th graders where SKKC does a Lake Safety presentation. During 4-H Day camp, SKKC presents a Farm Safety program. They also set up a booth during the Kiowa County Health Fair and the Kiowa County 4H Fair. A Halloween Safety Program at the school tops off the yearly events.

With only 15 members, the amount of time and effort put in to coordinate and host these events to decrease unintentional injuries in kids is something not found in most small communities throughout Kansas.

The criteria for this award includes an outstanding individual or group that has shown excellence and dedication to children through pediatric emergency care and/or family centered care. Eligibility includes any healthcare provider, healthcare organization, healthcare association, educator, or child advocate. This award is also sponsored by Kansas Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC), Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

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