Three Grey County paramedics have received Medical Directors’ Commendation Awards.
The awards are from the Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital, and were presented by Dr. Sunil Mehta on Thursday at Grey County Council’s meeting.
The Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program is one of eight Regional Base Hospitals in Ontario (seven land and one air), dedicated to medical direction, leadership and advice in the provision of prehospital emergency health care.
Paramedics Jeff Thomas and Evan Kraayenbrink received the Medical Directors Award of Excellence for outstanding patient care and teamwork during a complex rural hospital response involving multiple critically ill patients.
Dr. Mehta told council, “These paramedics are being awarded for demonstrating exceptional teamwork under extraordinary circumstances, during a very trying circumstance in a smaller hospital,” adding, “They stayed at the hospital with medical staff for over two hours resuscitating a patient, and even longer when six more patients arrived, overwhelming the resources. That is exceptional teamwork and exceptional paramedicine.”
Paramedic Mark Urquhart was recognized with the Medical Directors Award for Professional Contribution, recognizing his leadership in mentorship, education, and support of paramedic practice.
Grey County Paramedic Director Kevin McNab said, “Mark’s leadership and commitment to mentorship have made a lasting impact locally and across the province,” adding, “I want to congratulate Mark, Jeff, and Evan on this well-deserved recognition. I’m incredibly proud of all three recipients and grateful for the compassion and expertise they bring to our community every day.”
Grey County Paramedic Services provides emergency ambulance service and innovative community paramedicine services throughout Grey County. Serving the province’s fourth largest geographical county, Grey County paramedics receive more than 30,000 calls annually.