When it's an emergency, you call 911. And in the time it takes the ambulance get to thehospital, the people your life depends on are the emergency medical technicians.
Patrick Moore, a Charles County Emergency Services EMT-paramedic based in Waldorf,said after his crew delivers a patient to the hospital, they go back to their stations to wait for the next call. But, he said, they often wonder how did the patient make out?
On May 20 at the Southern Maryland Hospital Center, patients and paramedicswere given the opportunity to meet again in a much-less-stressful environment during the 2010 Emergency Medical Services Recognition Dinner.
Stephanie Cleaveland, administrative director of specialty areas at the Clinton hospital, said patients were invited to attend, and meet and help recognize rescue workers from Charles and Prince George's counties who saved their lives.
One of the patients was Waldorf resident Raj Ramaswamy, who had the opportunity to shake the hands of Moore and teammate Charles "Petey" Hicks, another Charles County Emergency Services EMT-basic also out of Waldorf, who were part of the team that saved Ramaswamy's life when he had heart trouble.
"They basically saved my life. It's what they do," Ramaswamy said. "I thought that I should go and thank them."
Moore described it as a very rewarding experience to be able to see Ramaswamy again, calling it "an honor and a privilege." "It doesn't matter how many medals or awards. That is the best honor — to have someone come up and say,‘Thank you,'" Moore said.
But the hospital did give awards. In addition to Moore and Hicks, the hospital recognized Charles County EMTs Rachel Ratdke and Paul Lenharr II and Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department EMT Sarah Doffelmyer for their work in saving lives.
Cleaveland said hospital CEO Michael Chiaramonte presented the emergency workers with certificates of appreciation and with a Waterman pen that were inscribed with the words "Front Line Heroes Impacting Lives One at a Time."
Moore explained that "to see him and his wife smiling" is exactly why he does what he does. "That's why we're in this field," Moore said, "to help them when they need help the most."
