Acadian Ambulance Texas honors Medics of the Year and 10th anniversary of service

L-R: Acadian Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Burnell, Chairman & CEO Richard Zuschlag, Rebekah Gregory, Paramedic Erin Lally, EMT Ramona Hanks, Regional Vice President Mike Burney, Texas Medical Director Dr. Emily Kidd, and Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management at the Department of Public Safety W. Nim Kidd.

Almost 200 medics and staff attended the annual Acadian Texas Medic of the Year banquet in downtown Houston. In addition to honoring its regional paramedics and EMTs of the year, Acadian celebrated its 10th anniversary in the Lone Star State.

Pictured from left to right: Acadian Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Burnell, Chairman & CEO Richard Zuschlag, Rebekah Gregory, Paramedic Erin Lally, EMT Ramona Hanks, Regional Vice President Mike Burney, Texas Medical Director Dr. Emily Kidd, and Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management at the Department of Public Safety W. Nim Kidd.

Southeast Texas received top honors as Erin Lally was named Paramedic of the Year and Ramona Hanks was named EMT of the Year.

Paramedics Amanda Hoekstra from North Texas, Paul Delagarza from South-Central Texas, Michael Seeberger from Houston, and Jacque Gregoire from Central Texas; and EMTs Michael Cheatwood from North Texas, Jessica Martinez from South-Central Texas, Shannon Lenox from Houston, and Nick Janikowski from Central Texas were also recognized as their region’s medics of the year and finalists for the top title.

W. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management at the Department of Public Safety, again served as the master of ceremonies.

Acadian Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Burnell and Texas Medical Director Dr. Emily Kidd presented Lally and Hanks with their awards.

Boston Marathon bombing survivor and Houston native Rebekah Gregory served as the banquet’s keynote speaker. She commended first responders in her speech, saying, “The very first person I saw was a first responder, an EMT who tied a tourniquet around my left leg, who lifted me onto a gurney, and said, ‘This is really, really bad, but I am not going to leave your side.’ For me to be able to express the gratitude, the appreciation that I have for this field, is something that I cannot do. Because those are the people who saved my life. Those are the people who saved my little boy. The first responders, the doctors and the nurses are the reason that I have the attitude that I do today. Because everyone that I encountered, every single person, gave me their heart and soul. No matter if I was a total stranger, they were going to help me that day.”

Texas Representative Sarah Davis also attended the banquet and spoke briefly on her appreciation of all Acadian medics and the hard work they do every day for the residents of Texas.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Burnell reflected on the growth and progress Acadian has made, stating, “What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago, we were proud to be moving to the great state of Texas. Today, we’re proud to be from the great state of Texas!”

“In hindsight, Acadian and Texas are a perfect match, as we are proud, independent and absolutely determined to be the best. Any Texan will tell you that everything is bigger and better here, and that fits Acadian to a T,” Chairman & CEO Richard Zuschlag said.

Get to know our honored medics by clicking on the links below:
Paramedic of the Year, Erin Lally 
EMT of the Year, Ramona Hanks 
Since 1971, Acadian has been committed to providing the highest level of emergency medical care and transportation possible. In the past decade the company has expanded to include a diverse suite of services designed to offer the very best support and education in health, safety, and transportation. Acadian’s six divisions are Acadian Ambulance Service, Acadian Total Security, Air Med, Executive Aircraft Charter Service, National EMS Academy and Safety Management Systems.

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