As posted previously on the Campbell County Health
Facebook page, CCH
Emergency Medical Services recognized three individuals (out of nine nominees) at their holiday party
on December 16 at
Big Lost Meadery and Brewery: Colleen Long, Paramedic of the Year; Diana Shannon, EMT-Intermediate
of the year; and Shane Kirsch, EMT-Basic of the Year.
Below is more information about the recipients and nominees of the 2017
awards. The awards are new to the CCH department to recognize employees
who “go above and beyond their required job to help patients, and
fellow co-workers” on a daily basis.
The EMS department asked CCH EMS staff,
Emergency Department staff to nominate three paramedics, three EMS-Intermediates and three
EMT-Basics to be considered for the awards. The information given in these
write ups came from EMS supervisors, colleagues, departments they work
with, and more. The recipients were selected blindly (no name was given,
only the information) by Deb Tonn, CCH Vice President of Patient Care Services.
Join CCH in saying thanks to these pros for keeping our community safe
and healthy! Learn more about EMS at
www.cchwyo.org/EMS.
Paramedic of the Year
Recipient:
Colleen Long, Paramedic
Received more nominations than anyone else in EMS, she always show their
dedication by getting the daily paperwork done right away, making sure
their truck is always clean, and the crew is ready and prepped for the
shift. Can usually be found at the schools on career day, showing the
kids the importance of the EMS job, shows the boy scouts how to make their
own first aid kit. Is one of EMS’s supervisors, and makes sure to
do training as the shift allows, and that the crew is safe, is able to
take transfers. Keeps an eye on other departments and helps out when they’re
shorthanded. They give excellent patient care, and always goes back to
check on them and see if they’re comfortable, or feeling better.
Runs the Pride cards for the department and is always quick to give out
praise to every crew. Is an Advance Life Support (ALS) provider in the
new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) medic unit, and is a car seat tech,
and is always helping with public relations events, also teaches the EMT classes.
“Is well known for the service they provide to patients and co-workers
that is always accompanied by a contagious smile and positive attitude.
Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and high standards they set for
themselves and crew, help us to provide excellence every day.” –
EMS Director, Chris Beltz
“Colleen is always dedicated and has high expectations for everyone
they work with, and guides them to grow and encourages them in continuing
their education to help advance their license level, and to add to their
patient care. Always willing to train and help anyone and everyone with
patient care.”
“Always has a positive and can do work ethic, and follows up on care
with patients.” – Campbell County Memorial Hospital Emergency
Department (ED) crew
Nominee: Denny Bohne, Paramedic
Denny is one of EMS’ supervisors. Denny is a great role model to
everyone he work with; he makes sure his crew is good at the start of
every shift, puts his heart and soul into every full time employee he
trains. He is a
CCH Legend. He can be found making sure the trucks are in great running condition,
and rotated out regularly. His quick wit and helpful attitude makes training
with him a fun and memorable experience.
“Denny is fun to work with, and has so much EMS knowledge that I
learn something from them every shift.” –EMS crew
“Always has a great attitude and is very helpful.” – ED crew
Nominee: Brad McKee, Paramedic
Brad has been working tirelessly improving the EMS OWL’s system (the
State of Wyoming EMS education system), has advanced to a supervisor’s
position, and has been instrumental in getting EMS over to the paperless
system. Is an ALS provider in the new SWAT medic unit. Is helping Moorcroft
with improving their system as well. He has been known to go back to patient’s
houses to help clean when the patient was too weak to do it himself.
“Runs the shift in a fun, and professional manner. Great balance
of fun and professionalism. Brings a unity to the crew structure.”
– Chris Beltz
“Is always pleasant when they bring patients in, and is always willing
to help when needed.” – ED crew
EMT Intermediate of the Year
Recipient: Diana Shannon, EMT-I
Runs the car seat check system (Safe Kids Campbell County), and is not afraid to let someone know when their car seat is not installed
correctly. She is also a Pediatric Education for Prehospital Providers
(PEP) instructor.
Recently, she returned to a patient’s house to clean up the bathroom
after the patient had a really bad day, but was too weak to clean it himself.
“It is a well-run program; she is meticulous to make sure it’s
a well-run program, does the Trunk-or-Treat as well as organizes the EMS
float for the Christmas parade and the Fourth of July parade. She is the
one to catch the mistakes that sometimes get made with Environmental Services,
Materials Management order, cleans out the fridge and makes sure that
the kitchen stays clean,” – Chris
Brings knowledge and experience to this department more than anyone else
here. Extremely dedicated and hard worker, goes the extra mile without
looking for recognition or praise.
Sets high standards for themselves and their co-workers, and helps them
achieve it, always willing to have those difficult, high stress conversations
with somebody to help improve their skills and patient care.
Nominee:
Derric Culey, EMT-I
Derric is on the new SWAT team, is always willing to come in when calls
have backed up, is always bridging the gap to make sure the EMS systems
works well with other departments, and is always encouraging people to
come be a part of EMS and what we do here. Is a good interagency liaison.
Does community outreach at the schools for career day, and is always encouraging
people to stop by EMS and see what it’s about, or third ride and
see the job that’s done. Is always training to improve on his licensure
level, and is always eager to share what they learned and a new way to
do a procedure. He helps teach at other EMS classes, driving as far as
Moorcroft to go assist with a class. His drive to improve and succeed
as been the drive behind their basic class and Intermediate certification.
He has the biggest heart of anyone you’d ever meet.
Nominee: Stephanie Gisi, EMT-I
Stephanie is a CPR instructor, works on the SWAT team, is always upbeat
and happy, makes sure the crew is taken care of with getting enough sleep
before transfers, and loves cooking for the crew. Pushes her crew to maintain
their daily task, and is willing to work in the ED when they are backed up.
“Brings a fun presence to the work place, has worked hard going from
EMT, to intermediate in the last year, willing to do what’s asked,
and finds new projects to improve the EMS building and the system structure.”
– Chris
She is always looking for ways to improve things at the base, and making
sure it’s set up as efficient as possible.
EMT Basic of the Year
Recipient: Shane Kirsch, EMT-B
He is handy, a good Basic Life Support (BLS) provider, brings a well roundedness
to EMS, notices the little things, and fixes them. He has taken on the
safety coach position, and takes time to fix the little details in the
ambulance. Shane is going to paramedic school, has taken this career change
in stride. He pushes his partner into new workout schedules and is willing
to help with their struggles. Always makes sure to have things set up
for their ALS partners, and is usually spot on with a working diagnosis
for the patient they’re caring for. Cooks for the department crews,
and is always ready to help with whatever is needed.
Nominee: Jeff Halstead, EMT-B
Perfect fit for this nomination. Jeff goes above and beyond the amount
of shifts they work, attends as many continuing medical education classes
as possible, attends staff meetings, is a solid BLS partner, and knows
their job and their partner’s job, and is always willing to help
make the care go smoothly. Jeff will pick up shifts and help with whatever
is needed. He is always ready to lend a helping hand, and will help out
any co-worker with any circumstances.
Is an amazing BLS provider, and colleagues say they are blown away with
the knowledge he brings to the table.
Nominee: Landon Suchor, EMT-B
Landon gets along with everyone, does the job, but is serious when it’s
needed, doesn’t hesitate at the assignment just does it. He will
come in to take transfers at any time during the day, and is always there
to help out crews and supervisors with any and all tasks that need to
be done. He is very caring and compassionate person, will always lighten
the situation, he reaches out to those who have been through bad calls
to check on them. Always has a smile on his face. One of the most inspirational
people staff say that they know.