Grey County celebrates Paramedic Services Week 2024

Grey County paramedics were celebrated this week during an awards ceremony and luncheon in honour of Paramedic Services Week 2024. From May 19 – 25, paramedics and members of emergency medical services across Canada are being recognized for the vital role they play in our healthcare system.

On May 22, Grey County’s paramedic services awards ceremony and luncheon brought award recipients and their families together with administrative and management staff to celebrate achievements. Ceremony hosts Kevin McNab, Grey County Director of Paramedic Services, and Joe Draper, Grey County Paramedic Services Duty Supervisor, presented a variety of awards and honours including Peer Awards, recognition for years of service and retirements, Inspirational Teammate Awards, the Medical Director Award of Excellence, and Patient Care Excellence Awards.

The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt and emotional thank you speech from Grey County resident and trauma injury survivor, Terry Denholm. Terry was involved in a workplace accident on December 2, 2019, and suffered catastrophic injuries. At the awards ceremony Denholm connected with the individuals who helped to save his life that day: Kellie Lawson, London Ambulance Dispatcher, Meghan Clouatre, Grey County Primary Care Paramedic, and Ihor Tereschenko, Critical Care Paramedic (Air Ambulance).

“I wish to thank everyone, for without your immediate actions that day the outstanding surgeons and doctors at Sunnybrook would have had nothing to work with. I have thanked all of Sunnybrook for their remarkable work, but you ladies and gentlemen here today are the ones I wish to thank the most,” explained Denholm. “To those that were there that day I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. For the last 1633 days and I will thank you in my heart for every day I continue to live.”

This year’s national Paramedic Services Week theme “Help Us, Help You” highlights the many ways that paramedics support our community members. Paramedic Chiefs of Canada and the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs are educating the public about the different ways paramedics help communities beyond emergency response, such as proactive community paramedicine. They are also emphasizing public campaigns around when it is appropriate to call 911.

“This year's theme highlights not only the exceptional emergency response efforts you provide but the ways paramedics support our community's health and well-being,” said McNab. “From responding to 911 calls to supporting older adults through community paramedicine to assisting those facing mental health and addiction challenges, your dedication, expertise, and compassion are the foundation of our service.”

Grey County provides emergency ambulance services to more than 100,000 full-time residents and thousands of visitors, responding to more than 15,000 calls for service annually. Grey County paramedics support several community paramedicine programs such as Supportive Outreach Services (SOS) and home visitations. More information about services can be found on the Grey County website at www.grey.ca/paramedic-services.

Image caption: From left to right: Kellie Lawson, London Ambulance Dispatcher; Ihor Tereschenko, Critical Care Paramedic (Air Ambulance); Terry Denholm, Grey County resident and trauma injury survivor; Kevin McNab, Grey County Director of Paramedic Services; and Meghan Clouatre, Grey County Primary Care Paramedic.

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For media inquiries contact Rob Hatten, communications manager, at rob.hatten [at] grey.ca (rob[dot]hatten[at]grey[dot]ca) or call 519-373-1592.

Poster - Paramedic Services Week 2024

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