On Thursday, August 18, 2023, Kyle Maxwell and his partner were returning from a run. Crossing the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge, Kyle noticed a slow-moving vehicle driven by a distraught looking individual. He told his partner, “Something isn’t right about that.”

The two turned around and discovered the car had stopped and the driver climbed over several barriers, now perched atop the bridge. Kyle engaged the person in conversation and with the assistance of law enforcement, was able to convince him to climb back to the roadway. Once in the ambulance, the patient admitted that he intended to jump. For his compassion, concern, and willingness to act on instinct that saved a life, Kyle Maxwell is awarded the New York State BLS Provider of the Year Award for 2024.

In November 2023, Nate Peters responded as a Jefferson County Deputy EMS Coordinator to the scene of an MCI crash involving an Amish buggy versus truck. As the first on scene, Nate encountered two seriously injured adults and four children, one DOA, and another critically injured. Coordinating care on scene with multiple resources including air medical, Nate also took time to help responders experiencing crisis induced stress. As a paramedic with Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Squad (TIERS) and Guilfoyle EMS, Nate brings a wealth of experience to his community. For his exemplary leadership and excellence under pressure, Nathan Peters is awarded the New York State ALS Provider of the Year for 2024.

With over 1,000 personnel, Northwell Health Center for EMS responds to more than 200,000 calls each year providing premier medical care to 7 counties, 23 hospitals, and 830 outpatient facilities in the downstate area. They are removing barriers to healthcare with a robust mobile integrated healthcare/treat in place program, expanding to include wound care for patients suffering from substance abuse disorder.

The Northwell Health Center for EMS holds multiple accreditations recognizing the excellence of their high-performing Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, specialty care, critical care, and air medical transport services. They have been on the forefront of telehealth, connecting patients with physicians and have partnered with an Explorers program to connect high school students with EMS and healthcare careers. Their community outreach programs include Narcan leave behind, Stop the Bleed, and school career days. Team members significantly impact the support of homeless populations by distributing care packages. For their exceptional, robust, and progressive contributions to healthcare and EMS, Northwell Health Center for EMS is awarded the NYS EMS Agency of the Year award for 2024.

In 2012, Amy Niespodzinski joined the ranks of the Rochester Fire Department following a career as an EMT, paramedic, and supervisor for Rural Metro. In 2022, she was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Training Academy as the department EMS training officer and course sponsor administrator. Amy brings tireless energy and incredible passion to her work that brings providers and instructors together in a culture of learning and development. Her commitment to incorporating modern instructional methods have produced formal lesson plans for virtually every activity successfully addressing a vast array of learning styles and generational differences so that no student is left behind. “We’ve always done it that way” is not in Amy’s vocabulary. She revamped the firefighter rehab and Rescue Task Force programs to improve operations, safety, and efficiency. For her passion, dedication, and inspiring commitment to excellence, Amy Niespodzinski is awarded the NYS EMS Educator of Excellence for 2024.

In 2021, Michael Prezioso stumbled into EMS in the midst of a 24-year career as a clinical psychologist. "Doc Prezioso" as his EMS colleagues refer to him, currently serves as Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services for Saratoga County. Following the suicide of a young EMS provider, Dr. Prezioso was asked by EMS leaders to coordinate peer support efforts. He enrolled in an EMT course and continues to ride a weekly shift with the Wilton Emergency Squad. He combined multiple police, fire, and EMS peer support teams into a single, county-wide peer support team that today numbers over 100 individuals annually assisting hundreds of emergency responders, conducting group debriefings, daily individual meetings, periodic behavioral health consultations, and referrals to mental health professionals when needed. For his advocacy for responder mental health and wellness that have greatly enhanced morale, retention, and overall happiness in Saratoga County, Michael Prezioso is awarded the NYS Excellence in EMS Quality and Safety Award for 2024.

Following his retirement as a Sergeant for the Brockport Police Department, Mark Philippy continued his work with EMS in a wide variety of EMS services in the Rochester area, rising to leadership positions in many. While serving as Operations Manager for AMR, Mark was elected Vice Chair, then Chair of the Monroe-Livingston Regional EMS Council and Chair of the New York State EMS Council. Having dedicated his life to public safety and EMS, Mark has championed crucial EMS safety initiatives and statewide performance improvement standards that will improve sustainability of services across the State as well as protect EMS providers. For his lifelong commitment to service, innumerable contributions to bettering EMS and public safety, and exemplary leadership, Mark Philippy is recognized as the New York State Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Awardee for 2024.

As a dispatcher and acting shift supervisor for the Monroe County Emergency Communications Center, Charles Vitale has not only developed a reputation for as a true collaborator in managing complex emergency responses, but also a team builder. He has been instrumental in streamlining workflows that improve time-sensitive coordination of resources, implementing pre-planning and response plans, and mutual aid management. Charles is an excellent advocate for EMS, public safety, and emergency communications professionals. His efforts have helped develop processes to manage EMS system stress and high call volumes. For his continued facilitation of collaboration between EMS and the Emergency Communications Department, Charles Vitale is recognized as the NYS EMS Communications Specialist of the Year for 2024.

Jay is an EMS provider, registered nurse, fire chief, and emergency department nurse manager at Gouverneur Hospital in St. Lawrence. He has a wealth of knowledge and has proven to be an excellent mentor for both prehospital and hospital healthcare providers in a rural area where resources are limited. Jay is a true leader who is willing to step in and support the team whether in hospital or in the prehospital arena. With an emphasis on patient satisfaction and approachability, Jay never hesitates to assist in preparing EMS providers for transferring critical patients and, when needed, accompanying staff during transfers. For his lifelong dedication to his community, EMS, public safety and the pursuit of excellence, James Moore is awarded the NYS Registered Professional Nurse of Excellence for 2024.

Since joining the Division of Prehospital Medicine at the University of Rochester in 2017, Dr. Maia Dorsett has been focused on enhancing EMS education and quality improvement throughout her region. She is the medical director for the Monroe Community College EMS programs, Gates Ambulance, and Deputy Medical Director for Monroe County. Maia is a hands-on educator and medical director, responsible for dozens of local, state and national educational and quality initiatives such as the MOLST revisions, RSI programs, and system changes to reduce pediatric dosing errors. She is dedicated to her students and providers successes, making herself readily available and accessible 24/7. Dr. Dorsett has established herself as an extraordinary clinician, educator, and mentor. Her students and paramedics have more facetime with her than others will have in their lifetime with their medical director. For her tremendous contributions to her region, New York State and the entire Country, Dr. Maia Dorsett is awarded the NYS Physician of Excellence for 2024.

In July 2022, Shalom Halberstam joined the Spring Hill Community Ambulance Corps as a junior member. While completing his EMT, he participated in community outreach and agency training courses. Shalom has grown to become a role model for newer members, assisting others with learning skills and equipment. He assists at first aid classes, Narcan, CPR, and Stop the Bleed trainings at a level that is truly impressive for a junior member. His patient care skills are superb, and he has distinguished himself as a leader of the Spring Hill team at Youth Corps MCI drills. For his valuable and outstanding contributions to Spring Hill and his community, Shalom Halbertstam is recognized as the NYS Youth Provider of the Year for 2024.

The Dr. Robert Kanter EMS for Children Leadership Award is awarded to a recipient for outstanding lifetime achievement and service to Emergency Medical Services for Children and pediatrics in New York State and celebrates work that spans an entire career. This award is named for Dr. Robert Kanter, former vice chair of the New York State EMS for Children Advisory Committee and innovator of pediatric transport medicine and creator of regionalized pediatric critical care medicine in New York.

No more worthy successor to the legacy of Dr. Kanter can be found than Dr. Elise van der Jagt, succeeding Dr. Kanter as Vice Chair of the State Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Committee. Elise is a medical native of Rochester, where he obtained all his medical training. As one of the few remaining founding members of the Committee, Elise has been involved in virtually every key project undertaken by the Committee, including but not limited to regular updates to the Pediatric Reference Cards provided to all EMS agencies throughout the State, guidance on treatment of children with adrenal insufficiency, management of pediatric agitation, and appropriate use of sedative agents for children.

On a national and international level, Dr. van der Jagt has served as coauthor of American Heart Association and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation guidelines for resuscitation of children in cardiac and respiratory insufficiency and arrest. He was also recipient of the one of the first Federal grants in support of emergency medical services for children, his early work in this area setting the standard for regionalization of pediatric emergency and critical care medicine in rural communities. In addition, at home, Dr. van der Jagt has provided a broad and diverse spectrum of pediatric care including primary care, pediatric critical care, pediatric hospital medicine, pediatric transport medicine and pediatric procedural sedation to the children of the Monroe-Livingston and Finger Lakes regions of our state for more than 35 years. He remains chief of pediatric hospital medicine, manages its practice, and continues to be active in quality improvement/assurance projects and committees related to this assignment, including pediatric procedural sedation. The New York State EMS for Children Advisory Committee is pleased to recognize Dr. van der Jagt’s significant contributions to pediatric emergency and critical care medicine in New York State and beyond with this award.

Southern Tier Health Care System (STHCS) has worked collaboratively to address the health and wellness needs of southwestern New York’s rural communities for nearly 30 years. Their offices are located in Olean, New York and their programs support over 250,000 residents throughout Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties. These areas are federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas and lack an adequate number of primary care and mental healthcare professionals and the socioeconomic conditions in the communities make it challenging for residents to access services or travel to obtain healthcare services.

These same rural communities in southwestern New York faced significant challenges of a declining EMS workforce and a lack of volunteer replacements. In response, STHCS created the Southern Tier EMT-B Academy, a comprehensive training program designed to recruit and retain individuals into the healthcare workforce. Focusing on disadvantaged individuals aged 17-25, the program offers free training, financial support, and hands-on experience, removing barriers to entry and inspiring participants to pursue further careers in healthcare. Since its inception, the academy has certified 34 EMTs, making a significant impact on the rural EMS workforce and targeting the health outcomes of an underserved population. Southern Tier Health Care System’s innovative approach to workforce development makes them a deserving recipient of this award.

Varna Volunteer Fire Company is a fully volunteer agency with 31 BLS providers and 3 CFRs responding to over 400 calls annually. In February 2024, Varna introduced the “Just Culture” model to create a non-punitive environment that encourages self-reporting of errors in patient care. Just culture models like Varna’s involve developing agency-wide policy that encourages its providers to report medical or operational errors without fear of punitive action. At Varna, reported errors are assessed first at a system level to identify where the agency could have done to prevent the error and how they should respond moving forward. They have also implemented operational changes for daily tasks such as clear labeling of medications and supplies and specific instances to call medical control for consultation to prevent clinical and operational errors.

This innovative model empowers EMS providers to focus on improving patient outcomes without fear of retribution, fostering a culture of continuous learning and quality improvement. In just a few months, this program has led to meaningful changes at the agency level, such as the systematic identification of expired medications and the refinement of protocols for high-risk patients. Varna’s dedication to creating a supportive and proactive environment demonstrates their leadership in organizational innovation within the EMS community.

Menter Ambulance is receiving the Educational Innovation Award for their innovative training program. Serving Central New York with three locations, 18 ambulances, and over 120 employees, Menter Ambulance handles approximately 20,000 calls annually. In an effort to ease the burden on their hardworking staff while ensuring high-quality training, Training Supervisor Scott Clark introduced the Menter Ambulance Mobile Continuing Medical Education (CME) Wagon. By repurposing an old ambulance, Scott transformed it into a mobile training unit, allowing staff to complete their biannual CME skills training without disrupting daily operations. The CME wagon travels to each of the agency locations to carry out training during providers normally scheduled shifts. This reduces the burden felt by providers when they need to find days during their time-off to dedicate to CME or mandatory training. Additionally, it helps the organization reduce its payroll associated costs outside of normal shift hours. This innovation not only improves training efficiency but also enhances the quality of patient care by ensuring that CME training is realistic. Simulations are carried out in the same setting that providers normally do their jobs. Menter Ambulance’s creative approach to education exemplifies the power of innovative thinking in meeting the demands of a growing EMS workforce.

Operating with Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities and handling more than 1,200 calls per year, Harpur's Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Service is comprised of 70 active student volunteers at Binghamton University who balance their academic responsibilities while serving their community. Faced with the challenges associated with reduced ALS staffing, Harpur’s Ferry took steps to expand the scope of practice for their Basic Life Support (BLS) providers. The agency implemented BLS CPAP and nitrous oxide pain management, enhancing their ability to provide comprehensive prehospital care and treat patient’s pain before arriving at the hospital improving care and reducing patient stress. Respiratory distress is a very common reason for EMS patient interactions, and Harpur’s Ferry has seen an increase of mutual aid to the greater Binghamton area in recent years accentuating the need for delivery of the highest level of BLS care. Additionally, the campus community enjoys many athletic activities. If injured playing sports, Binghamton students can now receive much faster pain management. This innovation showcases the agency’s resilience and dedication to elevating the quality of care for their patients.