2024 DSHS Emergency Medical Services Award Winners Selected
The Texas Department of State Health Services celebrated excellence Tuesday by handing out awards to individuals, teams and facilities in the emergency medical services profession that demonstrated exemplary service to their local communities and the profession in 2024. The awards luncheon was part of the annual Texas EMS Conference, this year held in Fort Worth.
“Those recognized at this year’s awards ceremony have made significant impacts on our EMS operations,” said Dr. Timothy Stevenson, DSHS Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Protection. “These award winners exemplify true professionalism and excellence, which so many of our EMS professionals demonstrate every day. Texas is fortunate they are safeguarding our state and communities within our EMS/Trauma System.”
Winners recognized during the awards ceremony at the conference were:
- EMS Community Recognition Award
Jimmy Lanning, LP
Stratford
- EMS Education Program/Educator of the Year
Samantha Grimsley, LP
Weatherford
- Dispatcher Excellence Award
Jerome Wymore
Lockhart
- Interfacility Collaboration Award
Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center
Houston
- Rural Healthcare Award
Val Verde Regional Medical Center EMS
Del Rio
- Designated Facilities of the Year
UT Tyler Healthcare System
Tyler
Childress Regional Medical Center
Childress
- EMS Leader of the Year
Stephen Harper, MD
San Antonio
- EMS Professional of the Year
Eduardo Rodriguez, EMT-P
Dallas
- EMS Response of the Year
Waller County EMS
Hempstead
Memorial Hermann Life Flight
Houston
- GETAC* Journey of Excellence
Chief W. Nim Kidd, EMT
Austin
Eric Epley, EMT-P
San Antonio
- GETAC’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Donald Jenkins, MD
San Antonio
- Hall of Honor (Line of Duty Deaths)
Shon Mathews, EMT-P
November 2, 2020
Texarkana
Zane Schaeffer, EMT-P
March 24, 2024
Ben Wheeler
*GETAC is the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council.
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(News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov)