Emergency Medical Service personnel from Hamilton were among those honored by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) during an awards ceremony at the Capitol in Helena last week.
Representatives from Marcus Daly Hospital Ambulance, Blaine County Ambulance II, American Medical Response Billings, Lewis and Clark County 911 Dispatch Center, St. Patrick Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospital were honored by Montana Lt. Governor Mike Cooney and Jim DeTienne, EMS and Trauma Systems Supervisor for DPHHS. The event was part of National Emergency Medical Services Week held May 15-22, 2016. This year’s theme was “Called to Care.”
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital EMS was chosen as EMS Service of the Year. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital EMS has consistently demonstrated dedication and willingness to strive for patient care excellence. Their responders go the extra mile to obtain education and licensure which enables them to provide the highest level of prehospital care for critically ill and injured patients. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital EMS is also active in the community providing CPR and AED (automatic external defibrillators) education as well as participating in various career days and events outlining a day in the life of an emergency care provider (ECP).
Lt. Governor Mike Cooney said Montana’s Emergency Medical responders, both paid and volunteer, provide a critical service to this state. “It’s such an honor to congratulate those who make sacrifices each and every day for their fellow Montanans,” he said. “These are people working in all corners of the state to help others in their time of crisis.”
DeTienne said, on average, Montana residents will need an ambulance service at least twice in his or her lifetime. “For some of these patients, delays in receiving emergency care could contribute to death or permanent injury,” he said. “As such, an integrated system of dispatchers, emergency responders and hospitals is a critical component of health care in Montana.”
Fortunately, DeTienne said, Montana EMS has made great strides in the past 40 years. Today, 9-1-1 dispatchers – the ‘first’ first responders – deploy over 3,300 EMTs and paramedics who serve on a network of 265 EMS services spread across most Montana communities. Those patients are transported to health professionals in hospitals large and small across Montana.
Other area EMS providers recognized included Dr. Bradley Pickhardt, one of two Montana Trauma Providers of the Year. Trauma Medical Director for Providence St. Patrick Hospital of Missoula, Dr. Pickhardt has been a surgeon in the Missoula area since 1990 and the Trauma Medical Director for over 15 years. He has been instrumental in building and maintaining the trauma program at this Regional Trauma Center. He has been a tireless advocate for the trauma patient, always ensuring everyone is striving for excellence in care delivery. He is involved as a regional, state and national leader in advancing the cause of rural trauma. He currently serves as chair of the Western Regional Trauma Advisory Committee, Chair of the State Trauma Care Committee, and Chair of the Montana Chapter of American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.