2023 Awards Program

The 2023 Awards Program is Now OPEN. Click below to submit your nomination. Nominations due October 20, 2023. Click guidelines for more information.*

*Submitting a nomination does not preclude you from submitting a nomination to EMSAC

• Critical Care Paramedic, Educator and Role Model
• Likely transferred the region’s first critical ill COVID patient, who was on a ventilator.
• Performed a cricothyrotomy on a patient with massive facial swelling
• A true expert in the field of Paramedicine
• Is an avid patient advocate
• Has taught EKG basic and advanced skills to many
• Writes a Blog, “Prehospital Wisdom”, a must-read.
• In 2021, ran more than 300 calls, including 277 911 responses and crisis calls and 31 interfacility transfers
• During the challenging times in EMS during the past two years, has “continued to demonstrate exception skill and infinite compassion that is so integral in being an outstanding paramedic”.

Summit Fire and EMS

• Individuals collectively nominated: Lieutenant Aaron Kaltenbach, Firefighter Darren Toro, Fire Medic Andrew Segura, Engineer Dennis Jackson, Paramedic Jason Kennedy, and Jamie Woodworth Division Chief of SF&E
• Nominated for their collaborative work on Injury Prevention during COVID-19
• Created an virtual injury prevention presentation during COVID, which was instrumental in being able to continue ThinkFirst programming in schools
• Partnered with St. Anthony’s Summit and were “collaborative, creative and resourceful in producing a video that demonstrated the initial resuscitation and response to victims of trauma”.

Keystone Ski Patrol

• Nominated for “dedication to providing state-of-the-art patient care in arduous conditions” specifically during four cardiac arrest events this ski season.
• Keystone Ski Patrol achieved return of spontaneous circulation on all four patients, and three had complete neurological recovery.
• This 75% success rate is unprecedented and deserves recognition.
• In addition to the cardiac arrest saves, KSP routinely providers excellent care for individuals with traumatic injuries.
• They are committed to continuous improvement of skills and processes, both at the individual patroller and leadership level.
• Thanks to the efforts of Keystone Ski Patrol, here is one example of a life saved:
  • A male in his 20’s approached a group of ski patrollers, complaining of difficulty breathing, and collapsed. The ski patrollers initiated CPR, managed the airway and alerted the clinic staff. The patient was moved to the clinic, where ski patrol integrated with the medical staff, helping to provide CPR for almost 40 minutes prior to ROSC. The patient was flown to a Denver area hospital, made a full recovery, and walked out of the hospital a few days later.
• Exceptional teamwork, patient care and integration with local and regional EMS systems makes them an outstanding EMS agency

• Nominated for a Lifetime of Service
• Became the EMS Medical Director for most of Eagle County in 1994, starting with volunteer fire departments and two ambulance districts.
• Over the next 28 years, was the common thread through department consolidations and transitions from volunteer to paid agencies.
• Under her progressive leadership and protocols, allowed some of the first EMTs in the country to place intraosseous needles in cardiac arrest patients.
• One of the first medical directors in the country to eliminate the need for backboard for spinal motion restriction, allowed paramedics to function at a critical care level before the state developed that scope of practice, and oversaw a program that allowed transfer of intra-aortic balloon pumps and patients with REBOA catheters in place.
• Oversaw expansion of ALS in Eagle County and helped imbed with ski patrol, SAR, and National Guard aviation and into the wildland fire environment.
• Although she intended to retire earlier, stayed through the COVID-19 pandemic, where Eagle County was the bullseye in Colorado ahead of most of the state. Leadership in redefining dispatch and field medical protocols were an enormous contribution.
• “At her retirement in early 2022, she was overseeing one of the most advanced EMS systems in the state. Dr. Hearne was a guiding force for EMS in Eagle County and has left an indelible mark on our District and on the profession as a whole. We appreciate her leadership and truly feel that she deserves recognition for the almost 30 years that she contributed to EMS”.

• “An example for all EMTs to follow”.
• Wildland firefighter
• 154 medical responses in the last year including multiple high acuity calls. Paramedics praise her assessment skills, bedside manner, and willingness to participate in
• Led webinars for residents on wildland fire preparedness
• Led a firefighter academic class for new hires
• Teaches EMT classes at CMC
• Completed prerequisites for Paramedic school

Andy Heyne, Paramedic, Red, White & Blue Fire District

• “A workhorse of our EMS response at RW&B”
• An employee for 8 years, ski patrol background
• Greatest attributes are “intelligence, a positive attitude, and work ethic”.
• 110 medical responses in the last year: Highlights: 2 complete recoveries for Cardiac arrest
• Lead provider for multiple Covid-19 patients, some very acutely ill. Showed bravery during this
• Helped get all BLS staff IV certified, requiring a challenging logistic effort
• Teaches EMT and IV classes for CMC
• Serves as an acting Fire captain, member of SAR Paramedics, and is a field training officer.

• “An example for all EMTs to follow”.
• Wildland firefighter
• 154 medical responses in the last year including multiple high acuity calls. Paramedics praise her assessment skills, bedside manner, and willingness to participate in
• Led webinars for residents on wildland fire preparedness
• Led a firefighter academic class for new hires
• Teaches EMT classes at CMC
• Completed prerequisites for Paramedic school

Andy Heyne, Paramedic, Red, White & Blue Fire District

• “A workhorse of our EMS response at RW&B”
• An employee for 8 years, ski patrol background
• Greatest attributes are “intelligence, a positive attitude, and work ethic”.
• 110 medical responses in the last year: Highlights: 2 complete recoveries for Cardiac arrest
• Lead provider for multiple Covid-19 patients, some very acutely ill. Showed bravery during this
• Helped get all BLS staff IV certified, requiring a challenging logistic effort
• Teaches EMT and IV classes for CMC
• Serves as an acting Fire captain, member of SAR Paramedics, and is a field training officer.

Anna Miller, Community Paramedic, Eagle County Paramedics

• Instrumental in delivering care to COVID-19 positive patients in their homes
• Community Paramedics experienced a 90% call volume increase in
• In partnership with EVBH, was instrumental in launching a new program placing naloxone in homes to address opioid addiction. The program also helps provide patients with treatment and
• This program helped some of the most vulnerable patients receive care that they needed and reduced the burden on the community
• In addition to his regular schedule and duties, took on more leadership during

Elizabeth Kruger, RN, Trauma Program Manager, Vail Health Hospital

• TPM at VHH for less than two years and has already been instrumental in education and up-to-date trauma
• Arranged trauma simulations, updated practices and policies, and is very knowledgeable with introducing
• Brings a “sense of humor that makes learning (and mistakes) “
• Calmly helps staff with procedures, including REBOA
• Stays late at night to help care for
• “We are lucky at Vail Health to have such a fun and intelligent TPM for staff, physicians, EMS and ultimately for our patients”.

Eagle County Paramedics Services

• Nominated for their “Incredible, community-wide impact they made during the epidemic, but also for the continued and tireless efforts maintained throughout the past year”.
• Eagle County was one of the 1st and hardest hit with
• Took a proactive approach to the pandemic including activating the emergency preparedness plan, securing PPE, and coordinating communication
• Proactively hired and trained 16 members of ski patrol for a surge crew. The surge but stayed on call for the
• Took a creative approach to reusable PPE
• Kept staff members safe during COVID-19
• Offered critical care inter-facility transport to surrounding areas
• Community Paramedics program went into homes for COVID-19 patients
• Use community resource navigators to support patients’ needs, including behavioral health.