EMS honors their own at state EMS awards ceremony

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

OWENSBORO — Kentucky EMS honored some of their own tonight at the Kentucky EMS Awards Banquet in Owensboro, which concluded this year's Kentucky EMS Conference and Expo.

Bill Milan, a paramedic for Barren-Metcalfe County EMS and also for STATCARE, received the 'Above and Beyond' award in recognition for specialized education that he provides.

Tracy Chytla and David Walters, who both work for Hardin County EMS, also each received the 'Above and Beyond' award which they had been nominated for by a patient.

The patient recounted how both EMS workers would frequently visit her at her work to check on her during a pregnancy. They recommended that the patient seek further medical attention when they correctly suspected pre-eclampsia.

The patient met these same EMS workers again when the vehicle she was driving flipped and she was partially ejected through the sunroof. Chytla and Walters were first on the scene and cared for the patient before she was flown to a trauma center. The patient felt that having these same workers who had befriended her now on the scene, and trusting that they would be by her side throughout the entire ordeal, contributed to her survival.

In nominating Chytla and Walters, Ashley Russo wrote: "These two people exemplify what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty. They believe not only in helping when they are called to do so, but also because they genuinely care about the people in their community and their wellbeing. I have heard many people say that if they had to have someone take care of them in an ambulance they would want these two individuals because they are professional, thorough, and humble about their job. I cannot imagine saving people's lives every day, especially the lives of my friends and family, but that is what Tracy and David do every day."

Also honored during the awards ceremony were the past presidents of the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Dale Dobson was presented with LifeNet's annual John Hultgren Impact Award for his 14 years working to reduce farming injuries and fatalies.

Mark Harrison and Robyn Bradshaw were each awarded the EMS Conference Chairman's Award for their roles in presenting the annual state EMS conference.

The Kentucky Association of EMTs presented awards to those who won the finals in the state EMS Olympics.

The guest speaker was John O'Leary, a professional inspirational speaker and author. John is 29 years old and was burned on 100& of his body as a 9 year-old child and was given less than a 1% chance of survival the first night after his accident. O'Leary is now a college graduate who runs two businesses and a non-profit organization. O'Leary is also a chaplain at a children's hospital, an author, a professional speaker, an ambassador for Big Brothers, married, and who celebrated the birth of his second child three weeks ago. O'Leary has also been awarded the national Energizer Perseverance Hall of Fame Award.

Visibly moved following his presentation, O'Leary explained to the Kentucky EMS Connection that speaking before an EMS group for the first time was one of the most difficult presentations he has yet to give.

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