Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen recently presented national honours for exemplary service to 22 Manitoba paramedics, including seven from Southern Health – Santé Sud.

“The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Exemplary Service medal is a Governor General award that recognizes paramedics who have provided commendable service for a minimum of 20 years,” said Friesen. “I’m proud that we’re able to recognize the high standards of work, sacrifices and good conduct of these hard-working professionals who give their all to save others.”

The medal recognizes professionals who provide pre-hospital emergency medical services and have performed their duties in an exemplary manner, characterized by good conduct, hard work and efficiency.

“Those who provide exemplary service work at a very high level of performance and dedication that we wish to see followed by others,” said Ken Gurba, chair of the Manitoba award committee. “These individuals have worked at this level throughout their careers and deserve this recognition for work well done.”

This year, 17 paramedics received 20-year medals, three received a bar marking 30 years of service, and two received a bar marking 40 years of service. The 2018 award recipients are:

  • Keith Hogarth, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living (retired): 20-year medal;
  • Corene Debreuil, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living: 20-year medal;
  • Joy Pritchett-Sheridan, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living: 40-year bar;
  • Louise Stitt, Prairie Mountain Health: 40-year bar;
  • Judy Podobni, Prairie Mountain Health: 30-year bar;
  • Logan Podobni, Prairie Mountain Health: 20-year medal;
  • Morgan Podobni, Prairie Mountain Health: 20-year medal;
  • Beverly Huys, Prairie Mountain Health: 20-year medal;
  • Ruth Preston, Prairie Mountain Health: 20-year medal;
  • Doreen Boyd, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
  • Gwen Blatz; Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
  • Kunegunda Fedoruk, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
  • Robert Sattler, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
  • Stuart Cuddy, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 30-year bar;
  • Tom Helliwell, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
  • William Vanderveen, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
  • Marc Savard, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service: 20-year medal;
  • Janet Topolniski, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service: 20-year medal;
  • Barb Johnson, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service: 20-year medal;
  • Paul Nairn, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service: 20-year medal (2017);
  • Shawn Muth, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority: 20-year medal; and
  • Maryann Kohinski, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority: 20-year medal.

“The work paramedics at the front line and in leadership positions do is vital to our health system,” said Helen Clark, chief operating officer of emergency response services and chief allied health at Shared Health. “I would like to thank each of these professionals for their many years of dedicated service to Manitobans and congratulate them for receiving this well-deserved national honour.”

To be eligible, individuals must have completed at least 20 years of service in emergency medical services with at least 10 years served performing duties involving potential risk, and have a record of exemplary service.

Nominations for the medal are submitted to a provincial committee, which reviews the submissions and makes recommendations to a national committee. The national committee submits eligible nominations to the Chancellery, the branch of the Office of the Governor General of Canada responsible for the administration of honours. The Chancellery then submits the nominations to the Governor General for approval.