June 24, 2002

2002 Illini EMS Award Winners

The success of an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system depends on the life-saving skills and response coordination of many dedicated members. Several Illini Emergency Medical Society members have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Genesis Health System and the Illini Emergency Medical Society are proud to recognize the following 2002 EMS Award winners for their outstanding life-saving efforts.

• First Responder of the Year - James Larvenz and Victoria Lecleir Hillsdale Fire Department
  In the overnight hours of April 5th, a 911 call was received from the home of a Hillsdale man having chest pain. Patient was conscious on arrival but by time oxygen and vitals were taken the patient had coded. The quick actions of First Responders James Larvenz and Victoria LeCleir in using their automated external defibrillator (AED) to successfully defibrillate a patient and revert him to a normal sinus rhythm and keep him alive until the Illini Ambulance arrived.
  
  
• EMT-B of the Year - Eric Griffin, Illini Ambulance Service
  Eric started with Illini as an EMT-B in July of 2001; he has developed into a competent pre-hospital provider and has gone on to get his EMT-I. He comes from a family of dedicated EMS system family, as his father is the Port Byron Fire Department Chief.
  
  
• EMT-I of the Year - Rob Gray, Erie Ambulance Service & Dick Nowlin, Illini Ambulance Service
  Rob started out as an EMT-B in 1987 and when Erie Ambulance Service was upgraded to the intermediate Level in 1992, he took on the challenge of upgrading to EMT-I. He's been a very active member of the service while working as a full time sports official.

Dick Nowlin received the award for his many years of dedicated service to the Illini Ambulance Program. Dick has been involved in the EMS system for over 20 years.

• EMT-P of the Year - Julie Christenson, Illini Ambulance Service
  Julie has been a Paramedic with the Illini Ambulance Service since June of 1997.  Julie promotes the EMS system by visiting local schools and through her participation in the File of Life program.
  
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award for the Illini EMS System - Ed Brewer, Illini Hospital
  Ed Brewer is the nuts and bolts of the of daily operation of keeping Illini ambulances running through all conditions. He has been part of the Illini family since September of 1974 and is known as the resident historian for Illini Hospital.
  
  
• Special Award for Lifetime Dedication to Injury Prevention - Jan Eckhart, Illini Hospital
  Jan is the Director of Emergency Services at Illini Hospital. She has dedicated her career to preventing people from having to come to the emergency room as a patient. She has helped organize and is very active in the Quad Cities SAFE KIDS Campaign, Operation Cool and various domestic violence prevention programs in Rock Island and Henry, Illinois counties.
  
  
• Preceptor of The Year - Benny Sweet, Illini Hospital
  Benny started with Illini in April of 1988. His dedication to the ambulance service and ability to teach EMS skills and principles has enabled Illini EMS to continue with its high standards and has resulted in a mix of good young EMS workers as well as assisting our affiliate Black Hawk College and Bruce Smith in providing continuing quality education.
  
  
• Medical Dispatcher of The Year - Jill Cawiiezell, MEDIC
  Jill has been instrumental in coordinating and implementing the Illini EMS dispatch service, which is an instrumental piece in a successful EMS service.
  
  
• ECRN of The Year - Jennifer Anderson, Illini Hospital
  Jennifer started in the Illini Emergency Department in November of 1999. She has continually sought out new challenges in emergency nursing and is currently a Trauma Nurse Specialist and charge nurse whose displays great skill in training new employees and in emergency communications.
  
  
• PHRN of The Year - Jane Keag, Erie Ambulance Service
  Jane is the Director of the Erie Ambulance service. She has served countless and dedicated hours to the Erie service for many years and has been a part of the Illini family for over 25 years. Her knowledge, expertise and leadership make her one of the most respected people in the Illini EMS system.
  
  
• Fire Fighter of The Year - John Rummery, East Moline Fire Department
  John has been a dedicated fireman for many years and has been instrumental in Operation Prom night and other community services.
  
  
• Police Agency of The Year - Silvis Police Department
  The Silvis P.D. received this award for implementing an outstanding AED program and for their continued service and professionalism with the EMS system and the community of Silvis.
  
  
• Rescue of The Year - Med Force Air Ambulance
  
  
• Good Samaritan or The Year - Mark Clong and Kelly Vanerstvelge, Colona, IL.
  
  
• Rescue Story of The Year - Police Rescue Award - Steve Rathburn, Port Byron Police Department, Paramedics Rescue of the Year - Julie Christenson & Bev Spates, Illini Ambulance Service, Rescue Story of The Year - William Stone, Port Byron.

Special recognition awards were also given to:

• Keene Hart, Illini EMS for his work and organization of the Quad Cities SAFE KIDS Campaign
• Fran Riley, Reporter for KWQC-TV6 received the News Media of The Year Award for his support of the Illini EMS System.

"Our emergency medical system is only as good as its members," said Bill Morris, Assistant Director/EMS Resource Program at Illini Hospital. "Without these men and women and the many others who provide countless hours of dedication and service, we would not be able to make a life or death difference in our community."

Illini Hospital has been designated by the State of Illinois as a Level II Trauma Center. Illini is also a recognized Pediatric Emergency Center, prepared to provide specialized care to acutely ill or injured children.

• For an emergency dial 9-1-1
• For medical information or physician referral call Genesis On Call at 563-421-2000 or 800-383-2575.
• For poison control call the regional center at 800-942-5969.
• For tips on preventing injuries to children, check out the National SAFE KIDS Website at www.safekids.org.