Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff honored for life-saving measures in April ...

Tuesday, June 16, Erin Cantrell, a flight nurse with Emplify Health Air Medical Transport, attended the Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) monthly meeting to award Clinical Excellence Challenge Coins (pictured at right) to many of the EMS team members on their quick response to a 911 cardiac arrest call they had received earlier this spring that is credited with saving a life. April 15, the call came from the home of Randy and Lisa Murphy in Waukon after Randy became unresponsive. Randy’s wife, Lisa, was also complimented on her quick response in starting CPR as soon as she did and the important role it played in his survival.

The Murphys, who were also able to be in attendance at the June 16 meeting for the presentation, shared their deep gratitude for everyone involved, from the 911 dispatcher, to the local EMS crew, Veterans Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, Emplify Health Air Medical Transport flight crew, and everyone else involved with this incident. Emplify Health Air Medical Transport awarded the team members medals and certificates for their high quality care and management of this incident. Additional information about the honoring and the efforts that warranted the recognition are intended to be shared in a follow-up article in the Veterans Memorial Hospital Fountains of Health newsletter this fall.

“Our partnership with the local EMS crews is integral to providing comprehensive service and saving lives,” Cantrell said. “The crew at Waukon EMS and Veterans Memorial Hospital showed skilled professionalism and the ability to think and act quickly so the outcome for this patient was one to celebrate.”

Pictured in the photo above at the June 16 award presentation, left to right, are Erin Cantrell, flight nurse with Emplify Health Air Medical Transport; Dave Martin, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); McLain Swauger, Veterans Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager; Dave Lyons, RN; Randy and Lisa Murphy; Cheryl Livingston, Paramedic; and Shawn Martin, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Submitted photo.