Almost 200 of Acadian Ambulance employee-owners attended the EMS Expo where Acadian received the 11th Annual Gold Standard Service of the Year Award from EMS Magazine, symbolizing national leadership in all aspects of pre-hospital emergency and non-emergency medical service.

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Contact: W. Keith Simon, VP, PR & Marketing, 1.800.259.3333

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, August 26, 2005

Acadian Ambulance honored for setting “Gold Standard” for EMS industry nationwide     

NEW ORLEANS – Today at the EMS Expo in New Orleans, Acadian Ambulance Service was honored for setting the “Gold Standard” for the nation in patient care. Acadian received the 11th Annual Gold Standard Service of the Year Award from EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Magazine, symbolizing national leadership in all aspects of pre-hospital emergency and non-emergency medical service.  Almost 200 of Acadian's employee-owners attended the award presentation.

Acadian Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag said in accepting the honor, “Since we began operating 34 years ago, the entire EMS industry has advanced to a remarkably high level of patient care. To be singled out as the standard-setter among hundreds of outstanding ambulance services is an honor that is profoundly gratifying. It is a tribute to the unexcelled skill and unwavering compassion that all our medics exhibit in caring for our patients.”

In announcing the award, Nancy Perry, associate publisher/managing editor of EMS Magazine, The Journal of Emergency Care, Rescue and Transportation, explained that Acadian was chosen from ambulance services across the nation.  Acadian excelled in achievement in areas such as education and training, community service, technical service, public-education and injury and illness prevention, and more. 

Perry noted that people in Louisiana and Mississippi who are served by Acadian Ambulance would agree that it is well deserved. She traced the history of Acadian from its inception in 1971 as a small service with three units and eight medics to its present status as the largest privately owned ambulance service in the nation. Today, she pointed out, Acadian has 1,930 employee-owners, 200 ground units and seven helicopters serving a population of 3.4 million and operating from 106 ambulance substations and seven Air Med stations.

Commenting on being chosen for the Gold Award, Zuschlag said, “It is testimony to the success of our efforts to provide, a level of service unsurpassed anywhere in the world. It is a salute to the men and women who have made it possible for us to reach that level. We are deeply grateful to EMS Magazine, and to our employee-owners who have set the Gold Standard for the nation through skill, dedication and compassion in the care of every patient.”

Thousands of medics across the nation celebrated the National Association of EMTs  30th Anniversary at the 2005 Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with EMS EXPO in New Orleans.

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