NAEMT Announces Awards at Annual Meeting

The Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician of the year were honored at the annual General Membership Meeting of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) in Atlanta on Monday night during the EMS Expo 2009.

Chris M. Honda, of Hilo, Hawaii, was presented the Paramedic of the Year award while Linda Smith of Phillip, South Dakota was honored with EMT of the Year. Both awards were presented to the recipients by Patrick Moore, president of the NAEMT.

The NAEMT also presented The Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award to Executive Director Bill Brown and paid tribute to Martin Stillman, Esq., the organization's legal counsel who died of cancer in July after serving NAEMT for 15 years.

Paramedic of the Year

Paramedic Honda works as a firefighter and a mobile intensive care technician with the Hawaii Fire Department. He was given the award for his role in maintaining his department's EMT training program when it was going to be delayed by a lack of EMT instructors available through the community college.

To make sure the program continued without delay, Honda instructed the department's 36th recruit class. During the subsequent six months, Honda devoted hundreds of hours to the training, including personal time, to assure his students received the instructions they need. His commitment caused a loss of pay due to coming off the 24-hour fire line as well as temporarily suspending his passion in the career -- providing advanced life support care for patients.

Honda was nominated for the award by Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira who recognized his personal sacrifices for the good of the department.

Captain Lance Uchida, Honda's company officer, says Honda is a dedicated, hardworking employee who continually demonstrates a genuine interest in his profession by improving his knowledge of medical advancement an improving his skills by attending classes, and training.

"Chris is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty and takes great pride in his profession," Uchida said in a news release about the award. "He has an excellent work attitude which radiates to his fellow employees and colleagues."

Honda is a member of various committees and is active in community service, including raising money for the American Cancer Society and serving as a community CPR and first aid instructor.

"I am extremely honored to be the recipient of this award," Honda said in the news release. "I consider myself fortunate to have selected a career that I enjoy and still find exciting even after over 15 years of service. Being recognized by my peers and receiving such a prestigious award is more than I could have hoped for."

In accepting the award, a modest Honda simply raised the plaque and said thank you to the approximately 150 people who attended the meeting.

Taking the stage with Honda was a representative of Braun Industries, the Ohio-based maker of handcrafted ambulances, who sponsored the award.

EMT of the Year

In announcing the NAEMT EMT of the Year award, President Moore outlined EMT Smith's 24-year career.

Smith serves as an EMT-I and Service Training Officer for the Kadoka Ambulance service. She has served as the director of Philip Ambulance, Kadoka Ambulance training officer, District 5 Vice President and South Dakota EMT Association Historian.

Colleague Stacy Grace, South Dakota State Training Officer, nominated Smith for the award which was sponsored by Laerdal.

In 2008, Smith was awarded the 2008 EMT of the Year by the South Dakota EMT Association for which she currently serves as EMT historian and CPR instructor. She's a member of the Central South Dakota Critical Incident Stress Management Team and has instructed various trauma and medical classes. She has also served as coordinator of EMT classes hosted by her department.

Smith is also part of the state's teaching team has been involved in EMS at the national level and has been an active volunteer, in her community and beyond, serving as an EMT at the Sturgis Bike Rally for the past three years.

In a news release about the award, Kadoka Ambulance Service President Jackie Stilwell said Smith has contributed countless hours to her community as a volunteer EMT for the past two-plus decades.

"Linda is very active as an EMT and strives to keep her skills sharp by attending numerous trainings," Stilwell says. "She is a very compassionate person who cares for patients as if they were her own family, with compassion and professionalism. I cannot think of a more deserving person for this award."

From the podium in front of the crowd at the Georgia World Convention Center, Smith simply said thank for the honor.

In the news release, Smith said; "To be recognized like this among my peers is an extreme honor and also very humbling."

Both Honda and Smith received a $1,000 award stipend, free travel, lodging for three nights and registration for the EMS Expo in Atlanta.

Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award

When National Registry of EMTs Executive Director Bill Brown was called to the stage, it was purportedly to present the lifetime achievement award, but he was then told that he had received it himself. "I was out to surprise him," NAEMT President Patrick Moore told the audience.

From aiding soldiers during Viet Nam, to assisting refugees of Hurricane Katrina, to shaping the organization of NREMT -- "I can tell you Bill Brown is truly a visionary," Moore said.

Brown was appointed as NREMT Executive Director on January 1, 1989. "A long time ago in Viet Nam, I learned that this was going to be my mission -- 'That Others May Live,'" Brown told the audience. He said his mission with NREMT is all about responder competency and the safety of the public, with a side mission to make EMS better.

In Remembrance

The evening's events included a tribute to NAEMT former attorney Martin Stillman with words from Moore, family members and a photo montage.

"He was more than our attorney; he was a true friend to NAEMT and EMS," Moore said. He added that Stillman never backed away from a challenge.

The tribute became emotional when Stillman's wife took the stage and thanked the NAEMT membership. I'm grateful to NAEMT for giving him the opportunity to do what he loved," she said. Stillman's daughter also spoke, and thanked those present for giving the family a new perspective on the life of her father.

"Many of you became one of his kids and all of you are part of his family," she said. "We are honored to be with you today."

Formed in 1975 and today more than 30,000 members strong, NAEMT is the nation's only association representing the professional interests of all EMS practitioners, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders and other professionals working in pre-hospital emergency medicine.