BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Earlier this week, Bridgeport Hospital honored several outstanding first responders for their commitment to the job and serving residents, according to a release from Yale New Haven Health.
As part of celebrating Emergency Medical Services Week, the hospital held its annual EMS awards ceremony, recognizing those who have performed at a high level in the field.
The 2024 EMS Provider of the Year Award was given to Sonny Ruskin from Trumbull EMS and AMR-Bridgeport. To earn the award, Ruskin consistently demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and patient care during the year, the release said.
Ruskin’s high level of clinical excellence and unwavering level of professionalism helped him earn the award, according to the release.
“He strives to make his patients feel valued, safe and cared for on every call, whether routine or life-threatening,” said Wesley Young, regional EMS medical control program manager for Bridgeport and Greenwich hospitals, in the release.
Gordon “Gee” Macalla received the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognized him for significantly contributing to public safety and EMS, the release said. Over the course of more than 33 years as a paramedic, educator and supervisor, the release said Macalla has saved countless lives. His colleagues said that he leads by example and has never shied away from a challenge.
“Gordon consistently demonstrates genuine care for his patients; what particularly stands out is his exceptional ability to build strong relationships with his co-workers and his unwavering passion for the EMS industry,” said Phil Onofrio, Nelson EMS, in the release.
Also honored at the ceremony were recipients of the ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Awards for Excellence in Heart Attack Recognition and Management. To be a recipient, one must meet the “benchmarks for rapid identification, transport and treatment, which allowed the patients to be discharged from the hospital in good condition,” the release said.
The honorees of the STEMI Awards were paramedics and EMTs from Ansonia EMS, the Bridgeport Paramedic Program, Echo Hose Ambulance, Monroe EMS, Trumbull EMS and Valley EMS.
RELATED: Yale New Haven Health says Prospect Medical violated contract to purchase 3 local hospitals
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
