Providence Hospitals awards first responders medals

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Tags: Providence Hospitals , health care

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Providence Hospitals awarded six individuals the “Radiant Responder Medal” at its 2014 first quarter STEMI/EMS Outreach Meeting. Columbia Fire Department’s Captain James Hott, Engineer Mike Harris, and Firefighters Timothy Henderson and Shawn Harris, plus Richland County EMS's Bridgett Walker and Brian Rucker, received medals for their response to a call in January for assistance from a 61-year-old man who went into cardiac arrest at his home.

A family member started CPR and notified emergency services. Columbia Fire Department swiftly arrived on scene and continued resuscitation measures. Richland County EMS arrived shortly after and resumed patient care until arriving at the Providence Hospitals emergency department.

The patient was transferred immediately to the cardiac catheterization laboratory where it was determined he had a heart attack. A successful, emergent intervention was conducted to open the blocked artery and the patient eventually made a full recovery.

Dr. Michael Foster presented the medals and a certificate on behalf of the Providence STEMI/Stroke team.

The Providence Hospitals Radiant Responder Medal is an honor that recognizes its partners in Emergency Medical Services, first response and other frontline patient care. The award recognizes their extraordinary work in the team effort with the Providence Hospitals Emergency Department and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory to reduce response time to heart attacks and other types of cardiac incidents.

To be honored, the individuals served as a beacon of true dedication to the Providence values: respect, compassion, courage, collaboration and justice.

Providence Hospitals is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.