Each year, MEMSA accepts nominations for its annual awards. MEMSA recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed significantly to high quality EMS and whose actions have resulted in better patient outcomes in the prehospital, emergency department or transportation phase of emergency care. Awards are presented each year at MEMSA’s annual membership meeting during the MO EMS Conference & Expo. Anyone can make a nomination unless otherwise noted.
Nominations may be submitted year round, however, nominations are due on May 31 of each year for that year’s awards presentation.
An EMS agency or an individual may not win in the same category more often than every three years. The MEMSA BOD reserves the right to determine eligibility.
DEADLINE: The deadline for nominations is midnight on May 31 each year. Online nominations and supporting materials (limit of six) must be uploaded to the online nomination forms above.
JUDGING: Winners are determined through a process identified by MEMSA Board of Directors and the Awards Chairperson and will be objectively scored in the following areas:
- Community support and involvement
- EMS involvement
- Contributions to the local and/or state EMS
- Letters of recommendation/support (from medical director, community leaders, etc)
- Other documentation that supports nomination.
Letters of support should be current and include the name of the award for which the person is being nominated. This may include letters from patients, community organizations, local government, peers, board of directors, etc.
2023 Award Nominations
Submit your nominations now!
Award Categories and Past Winners
First Responder (Individual or Service)
Presented to a First Responder (individual or service) who has contributed most significantly to EMS at the local and/or state level.
- John Freeman – 2023 – SCCAD
- Brumley Fire Protection District – 2022
- Jerry Thomas – 2019 – LaPlata Volunteer Fire Dept.
- Allison Newell – 2018 – Clever Fire District
- Corey Swafford – 2015 – Winfield/Foley Fire Protection District, Lincoln County
- Rick Pender – 2012 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Vernon Cash – 2011- Shelbina Fire Protection District
- Scott Jones – 2007 – Atchison County First Responders Organization
- Brad Michelle – 2002 – Vernon County Ambulance District
- Dennis Byrd – 2000 – Mallinckrodt Chemical
- Karen Harper – 1998 – Mallinckrodt Chemical
- Richard Grange – 1996
- Bruce Bergmann – 1995
- Danny L. Wall – 1993
- Mike Burns – 1992 – Mallinckrodt Specialty Chemicals Company
Kenneth E. Cole Memorial Award (Emergency Medical Technician)
Presented to an EMT-B who has contributed most significantly to EMS at the local and or state level.
- Casey Wilhelm – 2023 – Cox Health EMS
- Ryan Watkins – 2022 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Nicholas Mettes – 2021 – Christian Hospital EMS
- John Fox – 2019 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Freya Whalen – 2018 – CoxHealth
- Tracy Franklin – 2017 – CoxHealth
- Andrew Hicks – 2015 – Lincoln County Ambulance District
- Jaclyn Engeman – 2012 – Hermann Area Ambulance District
- Patrick Broughton – 2011- Salt River Ambulance District
- William “Bill” Meeker – 2007- Grundy County EMS
- Janet Brown – 2005 – MAST
- Bernie Cacho – 2002 – MAST
- Joe “Papa Bear” Williams – 2000- Valle Ambulance District
- Captain Richard C. Adams – 1997 – Eureka Fire Protection District
- Steve Bell – 1999 – Emergency Providers, Inc.
- Kim Johnson – 1998 – St. John’s Cedar County EMS
- Donald Struckhoff – 1996
- Adam Bruner – 1995
- Carol Pikey – 1994
- Joseph Schmiederer – 1993
- Judy Struckhoff – 1992 – St. Charles Ambulance District
- William Meeker – 1989 – Laredo Community Ambulance Service
- Carolyn J. Hester – 1988 – Community Ambulance District
- Kenneth Cole – 1988 – Special Recognition as EMT of the Year Award was named for him
- Marilyn Miederhoff – 1983 – No. Jefferson
Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
Presented to an EMT-Paramedic who has contributed most significantly to EMS at the local and/or state level.
- Kate Freshman – 2023 – Florissant Valley Fire Protection District
- Greg Maddock – 2022 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Rebecca Murphy – 2021 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Andrew Vaughn – 2019 – Chillicothe Emergency Services
- Chris Loderhose – 2018 – CoxHealth (posthumously)
- Lisa Cassidy – 2017 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Kelly Maull – 2016 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Matthew Whitener – 2015 – Lincoln County Ambulance District
- Greg Light – 2014
- Rees Remington – 2013 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Donna Cravens – 2012 – Chariton County Ambulance District
- Jeremey Hollrah – 2011 – St Charles Ambulance District
- Roger Mauzy, Sr – 2010
- Tom Yates – 2009 – Air-Evac Lifeteam
- John E. Romeo – 2008 – St. Charles Ambulance District
- Heidi Nabzdyk – 2003 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Jeff Summers & Kelly Cope – 2002 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Richard Humble – 2000 – Emergency Providers, Inc.
- Rick Lane – 1999 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Chuck Leake – 1998 – University Hospitals
- Kenneth W. Boyer – 1996
- Lee Varner – 1995
- Pat Connaughton – 1994
- Deborah Lynn Petty – 1993
- Eileen M Faries – 1992 – Mallinckrodt Specialty Chemicals
- Rodger D. Luetjen – 1991 –
- Mindy McCoy – 1990 – Ballwin Fire Protection District
- Dr. Michael D. Moore – 1989 – Citizens Memorial Hospital EMS
- Diana May Hodges – 1988 – No. Jefferson County Ambulance District
- Patricia A. Ahring – 1983 – Blue Springs EMS
Nurse
Presented to an LPN or RN who has contributed most significantly to EMS at the Local and/or state level.
- Janet Taylor – 2023 – Golden Valley EMS
- Helen Sandkuhl – 2022 – SSM Health St. Louis Regional EMS
- Aaron Straube – 2015 – ARCH (Air Methods)
- Shirley Arnold – 2013 – from LifeFlight Eagle
- Karen Langendorf – 2011 – Covidien EMS
- Tom Stumbaugh – 2009 – Air-Evac Lifeteam
- Gail Brown, RN – 2007 of Golden Valley Memorial Hospital
- Toni Kanne – 2002 – St. John’s Mercy Medical Center
- Marianne Fournie – 2000 – St. Mary’s Health Center
- Robyn Cado – 1999 – LifeFlight Eagle
- John Bonnard – 1998 – St. John’s Regional Health Center
- Sharon Steidel – 1996
- Joan Eberhardt – 1995
- Joan S. Eberhardt – 1993
- Dorothy Herzog – 1992 – St. Joseph’s Hospital West
- Suzie Dockins – 1989 – Poplar Bluff
Dispatcher / Communication Specialist
Presented to a Dispatcher or Communication Specialist who has performed above the ordinary to support emergency personnel and the citizens being served.
- Shelby Creed – 2023 – Linn County 911
- Robert Taylor – 2022 – Taney County Paramedics
- Tosha Burns – 2021 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Angela Welch – 2019 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Matthew Lyons – 2016 – CoxHealth
- Ronald Martin – 2015 – Lincoln County 911 Communications Center
Frank Mitchell Memorial Award - Physician
Presented to an MD or DO who has contributed most significantly to EMS at the local and/or state level.
- Dr. Matthew Brandt – 2023 – Cox Health
- Dr. Lindy Andrews – 2022 – Worth County / Missouri SAC
- Dr. Sabina Braithwaite – 2021 – Missouri State Medical Director
- Dr. Matthew Brandt – 2019 – CoxHealth EMS
- Dr. Charles Ludy – 2018 – Cole County EMS
- Dr. Scott Gilmore – 2017 – St. Louis Fire Department
- Dr. Justin Rapoff – 2016 – SSM Health
- Dr. Leo Hsu – 2015 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Dr. David Gustafson – 2013
- Dr. Karl Harmston – 2012 – Hannibal Regional Hospital
- Dr. David Tan – 2011 – Washington University School of Medicine
- Dr. J. A. Keuhn – 2009 – Wright Memorial Hospital, Trenton
- John William Jermyn – 2008 – posthumous – award accepted by Jane Drummond
- Dr. Alex Garza – 2006 – KCMO EMS
- Dr. Dea Denise Campbell – 2002 – Hedrick Medical Center
- Dr. Matt Gratton – 2000 – Kansas City EMS System
- Dr. Gregg Minion – 1999 – LifeFlight Eagle Air Ambulance Service
- Dr. Frank Mitchell – 1999 – Special Recognition as Physician of the Year was named for him
- Dr. Janet Jordan – 2007 – St. John’s Health System
- Dr. Aziz Doumit – 1998 – Doctor’s Hospital, Wentzville
- Dr. David Dabell – 1997 – Eureka Fire Protection District
- Dr. Robert Mecker – 1996
- Dr. William Svancarek – 1995
- Dr. Randall Howell – 1994
- Dr. Larry Dickerson – 1993
- Dr. Dennis Keesal – 1992 – St. Joseph’s Hospital
Jack Lyon Memorial Award - Instructor / Coordinator
Presented to an outstanding instructor of an ongoing EMT-B, EMT-P or continuing education program that is accredited by the Missouri Bureau of EMS (BEMS).
- Mike Hall – 2023 – SCCAD
- Bryant Gladney – 2022 – Boone County Fire Protection District (posthumously)
- Tom Fitts – 2021 – East Central College
- Darrell Crooks – 2019 – Adair County Ambulance District
- Michael Gooch – 2018 – CoxHealth
- Lora Copeland – 2017 – East Central College (retired)
- Shirley Gastler – 2015 – SSM Health EMS Liaison/Instructor
- Kelly Johnson – 2014
- Sheila Kauffman – 2013 – LifeFlight Eagle
- Kim McKenna – 2011 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Marilyn K Miederhoff – 2008 – Covidien/Mallinckrodt
- Linda Freymuth – 2007 – Lincoln County Ambulance District
- Judy Landvatter – 2002 – St. Louis Children’s Hospital & Eureka Fire Protection District
- Mike Irwin – 2000 – Emergency Providers, Inc.
- Mark Terry – 1999 – Emergency Providers, Inc.
- Mary Frakes – 1998 – Allied Health/St. Louis Community College
- Eileen Faries – 1996
- Norma Loos – 1995
- Craig Armstrong – 1994
- Julie S. Long – 1993
- Robin Marie Wallen – 1992 – Citizens Memorial Hospital – Stockton
- David McFarland – 1991 –
- James L. Weaver – 1990 –
- Nancy Dalton – 1989 – Penn Valley Community College
- Ken Frederickson – 1988 – St. Louis Community College
- David R. Lynch – 1983 – Independence Medical Center
Administrator
Presented to Administrator who has most significantly contributed to EMS at the local and/or state level.
- Ryan Verch – 2022 – CoxHealth EMS
- Jeff Hawkins – 2021 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Amanda Tudor – 2019 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Bryan Lambeth – 2018 – St. James Ambulance District
- Darrell Wright – 2017 – Chillicothe Fire Department
- Darryl Coontz – 2016 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Douglas Clark – 2013 – Hermann Area Ambulance District
- Steven M. Kotrada – 2012 – St. Louis Fire Department EMS
- Donna Hoffman – 2010
- Matthew Cushman – 2009 – Raytown EMS
- Bob Patterson – 2008 – Director – St. John’s of EMS
- Douglas Hooten – 2007 – Executive Director of MAST
- Scott Mullins – 2002 – Eureka Fire Protection District
- Steven C. Harris – 2000 – Taney County Ambulance District
- Bill Everett – 1999 – Ste. Genevieve County Ambulance District
- Gary Ludwig – 1998 – St. Louis Fire Department
- Ralph Carder – 1997 – Union Ambulance District
- Joe Jerkins – 1996
- John Whitlock – 1995
- Sheryl Clavin – 1994
- Michael G. Hall – 1993
- Richard Miller – 1992 – EMT of No. Jefferson County Ambulance District
Emergency Medical Service
Presented to an Emergency Medical Service which best exemplifies outstanding professionalism and service to the community and the people that it serves.
- Clayton Fire Department – 2023
- CoxHealth EMS – 2022
- CoxHealth EMS – 2021
- TCAD Paramedics – 2019
- St. Charles County Ambulance District – 2018
- North Jefferson County Ambulance District – 2017
- St. Charles County Ambulance District – 2016
- Warren County Ambulance District – 2015
- Taney County Ambulance District – 2014
- Hermann Area Ambulance District – 2013
- Cole Camp Ambulance District – 2012
- St. Charles County Ambulance District – 2011
- Chariton County Ambulance District – 2010
- St. Charles Ambulance District – 2009
- Warsaw-Lincoln Ambulance District – 2008
- MAST – 2006
- St. Francois County Ambulance District – 2005
- University City Fire Department – 2002
- Clayton Fire Department – 2000
- Valle Ambulance District – 1999
- St. Louis Fire Department – 1998
- Eureka Fire Protection District – 1997
- Taney County Ambulance District – 1996
- Warren County Ambulance District – 1995
- Rock Township Ambulance District – 1994
- St. Charles Ambulance District – 1993
- St. Charles Ambulance District – 1992
- St. Charles Ambulance District – 1990
- St. Francois County Ambulance District – 1989
- Macon County Ambulance District – 1988
Quality Improvement Project
The purpose of the award is to encourage the development of quality QI programs and stimulate quality research to evaluate how EMS is being conducted.
Projects should have:
- A statement of the problem or the question considered
- How the evaluation was conducted for the problem or question
- The conclusions reached following the evaluation
- The follow-up action taken because of the QI project.
The length of the report should be no more than five pages.
- Stephanie Ashford – 2023 – SCCAD
- Tom Nuernberger – 2010 – St John’s Mercy Hospital
- Golden Valley Hospital EMS – 2007 – Clinton
- Daniel J. Lindholm – 2002 Kansas City Health Department and EMS
- Darryl Coontz – 1999 – Emergency Providers, Inc.
Community Service
The purpose of this award is to recognize those who make their communities a better place to live.
Agencies, organizations or individuals who have developed and implemented injury prevention programs, EMS awareness and public education or other programs which best exemplify outstanding professionalism and service to the community and the people they serve.
- John Knox Village EMS – 2023
- Zach Krato – 2022 – Florissant Valley Fire Protection District
- St. Charles County Ambulance District – 2021
- David Kroll – 2018
- Northland Regional Ambulance District – 2017
- Community Health Access Program at Christian Hospital- 2016
- Kevin Altman – 2015 – Lincoln County Ambulance District
- St. Charles County Ambulance District – 2013
- St. Charles County Ambulance District – 2012
- St. Charles County Ambulance District – 2011
- St Francois County Ambulance District – 2010
- Christine J. Allen – 2002 – Lake Ozark Fire Protection District
- Sheila Allen Frost – 2000 – Eureka Fire Protection District
- Mike Dawson – 2000 – Cox Health Systems and Cox Paramedics
Presidential Leadership
Presented to individuals deserving recognition for their service to and/or support of MEMSA and EMS in Missouri.
Anyone can nominate but the winner selected by MEMSA President
- Jason Fenton – 2023 – Zoll
- Jason White – 2022
- Dr. Lynthia Andrews Bowman
- Mark Alexander – 2018
- Margie Sammons – 2017
- Patricia Casey – 2016 – SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
- David Tetrault, Christian Hospital EMS – 2015
- Les Jobe – 2014
- Doug Randell, Jason White, Sean Hill – 2013
- Larry Dahl, Sr. – 2008 – Alliance Medical
- Richard “Jay” Thompson – 2000 – MO Bureau of EMS
- Linda Ortmeyer – 1999
- Nathan Williams – 1998
- Dan Valle – 1996
- Jim Lawrence – 1995
- Frank Foster – 1994
- Jason White – 1991
- Sgt. Bill Adams – 1990 – Missouri State Highway Patrol
- Larry Dahl, Sr. – 1988 – Alliance Medical
Certificates of Merit awarded
- Dr. Frank Merenda – 1995
- Captain G. P. Corbin – 1990 – Missouri State Highway Patrol
Other Recognition
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Bruce Grotewiel – 2023 – Maries-Osage Ambulance District
- Tom Fitts – 2022 (posthumously)
- Rick Lane – 2021 – St. Charles County Ambulance District
- Mike Hicks – 2015 – retired Fire and EMS leader from Lee’s Summit
- Ken Koch – 2014
- Nancy Dalton – 2008 – posthumous
Award accepted by her five sisters
Legislator of the Year
- Representative Mark Bruns – 2007 -Jefferson City, MO
Appreciation For Valuable Assistance to the EMS community
- Frank Foster – 2019
- Larry Dahl – 2018
- Jane Drummond of DHSS – 2007
Appreciation/Recognition
- Ruby Mehrer – 2023 – Esteemed Honor
- David Tetrault – 2023 – Outstanding Achievement
- Dorothea Lake – Special Recognition for Excellence
- George Duff – retiring from MEMSA Board of Directors 2010
- David Deck & Nathan Williams – retiring from MEMSA Board of Directors – 2009
- Randall Sammons – 2008 – retiring from MEMSA Board of Directors
- Frank Foster – 1996
- Les Ries – for 10 years of service to regional testing