Greencastle responders honored for excellence

The efforts of two local emergency responders resulted in awards from Meritus Health at a special ceremony last week. Jason Barkdoll, paramedic for Medic 2 Advanced Life Support, and Tyler Shank, emergency medical technician for Greencastle Rescue Hose Company, were honored with the 2012 Franklin County EMS Excellence in Care Award. Meritus personnel were at the fire department on July 18 to present the men with certificates and shirts.

A 911 call in January for an unconscious patient who was deteriorating resulted in immediate actions by Barkdoll. A medic from Washington County came to assist and Barkdoll called for medical command as the unit was enroute to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. He intubated the patient, who went into cardiac arrest, and CPR was performed. The patient died a few days later, and the family chose to touch the lives of others through organ donation.

"Our patients expect that healthcare providers will give them nothing less than excellence in care," said Kelly Llewellyn, Meritus EMS administration specialist. "In this patient's case, an unknown medical emergency, your quick response, skills, knowledge and ultimate excellence in care is why I am here today."

Barkdoll and Shank, who was also on the run, were nominated by Ryan Byler, Medic 2 ALS paramedic. Physicians and fellow EMS providers submitted nominations for this first award, with one each also going to responders in Washington and Frederick counties.

“It’s important for the community and EMS to know how grateful we are to have such talented providers responding to our tri-state emergency needs,” said Susie Burleson, trauma/emergency services manager. “These people put their lives on the line in order to serve our communities’ needs, and we wanted to recognize their hard work and dedication.”

Meritus Health Trauma and Emergency Services also presented dessert for each station following a week-long series of appreciation events during EMS Week.

Barkdoll, 35, has worked parttime for Medic 2 for seven years, and Shank, 22, has been an EMT for six years and is now fulltime.