RICHMOND, VA - On Monday, May 20, Governor Glenn Youngkin recognized the Governor’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Award recipients from 2023 during a special EMS Week ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion. The Governor’s EMS Awards honor the outstanding contributions of individuals, agencies, community organizations and businesses that provide or help support emergency medical care in Virginia. These awards are the highest honor an EMS provider or organization can receive at the state level, and they are administered by the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Emergency Medical Services.  

Governor Glenn Youngkin also proclaimed EMS Week in Virginia, May 19-25. This special week honored EMS providers’ commitment to respond to emergencies and provide critical care. EMS for Children Day, May 22, emphasized the pediatric patient and their required specialized treatment. This year’s EMS Week theme was, “Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future,” and it acknowledges the foundational work of those who came before us, while also striving to build and lead the EMS System we envision for our future.  

“During EMS Week, I had the honor of recognizing the 2023 Governor’s EMS Award recipients and thanked them for their incredible contributions to Virginia’s EMS System,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Virginia’s EMS providers rush in to save Virginians who are sick or injured by providing the best prehospital care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thank you for your heroic efforts and for protecting the well-being of all Virginians.” 

“I join Governor Youngkin in honoring the recipients of these awards that recognize individual and organizational commitment and dedication to providing excellent emergency medical care. It is reassuring to know that throughout the Commonwealth when someone dials 911, there is a network of care ready to assist them, whether the call is for a stroke, a vehicle wreck, a severe allergic reaction, or some other emergency. Our EMS providers save lives every day, and we salute them,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D.  

Last year, EMS providers responded to more than 1.72 million calls for help in Virginia, which represents approximately 4,712 incidents per day. Virginia’s EMS providers respond to emergencies during our citizens critical moments from the time a 911 call is received to the arrival at the hospital. 

“It is such an honor to recognize the dedication and contributions of the Governor’s EMS Award recipients,” said VDH Chief Operating Officer Christopher Lindsay. “It is so important to thank Virginia’s EMS providers for their life-saving efforts, not just during this special EMS Week, but every day! I have had the distinct privilege of serving as a volunteer EMS provider myself for the last 15 years alongside many amazing providers at my local rescue squad and I am honored to be able to recognize their outstanding contributions to Virginia’s EMS System.”  

During EMS Week, Virginia EMS agencies hosted community activities, including first aid classes, health and safety fairs, open houses and more. These family-friendly events encouraged citizens to meet and greet the first responders in their neighborhoods.  

Congratulations to the 2023 Governor’s EMS Award recipients: 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Excellence in EMS – William “Bill” Akers, Jr., Southwest Virginia Paramedic Program, Lebanon Lifesaving Crew 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to Leadership in EMS (The Kent J. Weber Trophy) – Beverly G. Harris, VCU Health System Critical Care Transport Network/LifeEvac 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS (The Frank M. Yeiser Trophy) – Benjamin D. Nicholson, M.D., VCU Health Department of Emergency Medicine & LifeEvac 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Nurse with Outstanding Contribution to EMS – Matthew J. Jensen, R.N., VCU Health System Critical Care Transport Network/LifeEvac 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Prehospital Educator – Michael Garnett, New River Valley Training Center 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Prehospital Provider – John “Jack” Kelley, Lake of the Woods Fire and Rescue 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health and Safety – James City County Fire Department 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children – Jennifer S. Farmer, Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Agency – James City County Fire Department 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Telecommunication Amanda Echevarria, Chesapeake Police Department 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Emergency Preparedness and Response (The James A. Nogle, Jr. Trophy) – City of Alexandria Community Emergency Response Team 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Innovation Excellence in EMS – Northern Virginia Emergency Response System 

An additional recognition is presented in conjunction with these awards for the outstanding contributions to EMS by a high school senior. This is a scholarship award provided by the Virginia Office of EMS in collaboration with the State EMS Advisory Board. 

• The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior (The Dr. Carol Gilbert $5,000 Scholarship) – Kelsey Cone, Cave Spring Rescue Squad 

To learn more about the VDH’s Office of EMS, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/.