May 18 – 24 marked National EMS Week. The 2025 theme of “We Care. For Everyone.” highlighted the dedication and skills of emergency medical professionals such as paramedics, EMTs and other personnel, who are put to the test every day. From big cities to small towns, private homes to schools, businesses and roadways, EMS professionals are trained and ready to deliver a range of medical interventions and support to people of all ages.
Patrick Gauthier with Saint Mary's Champion Award honorees: Chiam Gewirtzman and Anne Lundvall.
Regionally, Trinity Health Of New England hospitals took the opportunity to honor and thank the dedicated emergency medical service personnel through various events, and personalized social media posts highlighting emergency department colleagues.
In Waterbury, Saint Mary’s Hospital celebrated EMS professionals with a dinner and recognition ceremony. EMS personnel from the area were invited to stop by the hospital for fresh wood fired pizza and salad from La Tavola Pizza truck, and tokens of appreciation from Trinity Health Of New England. Following the delicious eats, a recognition ceremony hosted by Patrick Gauthier, Manager, Trinity Health Of New England EMS Office of Medical Direction honored two area professionals with the EMS Champion Award: Anne Lundvall, a paramedic with THOfNE Mobile Healthcare and Chaim Gewirtzman, a volunteer paramedic for Hatzalah of Waterbury.
In the Springfield Market, colleagues at Mercy Medical Center and Johnson Memorial Hospital celebrated EMS Week with several activities. At Mercy, EMS providers were treated to lunch and dinner from a variety of food trucks over several days. They also had a chance to learn about the Ceribell device that is now in use at Mercy. The Ceribell system is a rapid response point-of-care EEG designed to help providers with bedside brain monitoring, detecting seizures, and other neurological abnormalities in patients.
At Johnson, EMS providers enjoyed a barbeque and participated in an interactive lecture and hands-on skills session based on the latest American Heart Association Neonatal Resuscitation Program guidelines. The training included both Advanced and Basic Life Support skills practice. Johnson clinical leaders also created and delivered “goody” baskets to EMS bases in several surrounding towns.
Saint Francis Hospital treated their EMS partners to delicious pizza from La Tavola as a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Members of the hospital’s Stroke Team also joined in to personally thank EMS providers for their life-saving efforts and continued collaboration in providing exceptional care to the community. Saint Francis held a recognition ceremony honoring area professionals with the EMS Champion Award: Christopher Johnston, a paramedic with Suffield Volunteer Ambulance and David Harriman, an EMT with Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association.
