Texas EMS Conference

DSHS sponsors the Texas EMS Awards and invites you to submit your nominations for this year’s awards ceremony. Each category honors a person or organization that exemplifies the best that EMS/Trauma System has to offer. The categories and explanations are listed below. Once you have chosen the correct category, the rest is easy.

Award winners will be announced at the Texas EMS Conference. If you have any questions, email EMSAwards@dshs.texas.gov.

Look for details on the upcoming conference at the Texas EMS Conference website.

When filling out the nomination, please use the space provided and keep your nomination as brief and concise as possible. Be specific, using examples, when possible, to indicate why this person or organization should win. Keep in mind that the people who review the nominations will not be as familiar with your nominee as you are.  

The nomination packets are given to programs in the Office of EMS and Trauma System Coordination and sent to each EMS zone office.

• Each program and zone rank the nominations for each category and returns the information to the Office, where scores are tallied.
• Scores are kept confidential from all except those who tally the scores.
• Winners are announced at the Awards Luncheon at Texas EMS Conference.

Nominations period ended September 15, 2023.

2022 winners

EMS Educator Award honors a state-certified EMS instructor or course coordinator who advances EMS education in Texas through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to students.

EMS Medical Director Award honors a physician who has served as a medical director, on-line or off-line, for an EMS organization, and continually demonstrates a commitment to excellent patient care.

EMS Administrator Award honors an administrator, researcher, or manager at the local, city, county, regional or state level who has made a positive contribution to EMS and is committed to building a dedicated team able to respond effectively.

Public Information/Injury Prevention Award honors an EMS group or individual for outstanding achievement in public education or injury prevention.

Citizen Award honors a private citizen for a heroic lifesaving act or unique advocacy of EMS.

Private/Public Provider Award honors a ground or air organization that demonstrated leadership in EMS in patient care, public access, medical control, disaster preparedness, public education, or training.

Volunteer Provider Award honors an organization staffed by volunteers that demonstrated leadership in EMS in patient care, public access, medical control, disaster preparedness, public education, or training.

First Responder Award honors a first responder organization (FRO) that demonstrated leadership in EMS in patient care, public access, medical control, disaster preparedness, public education, or training.

Air Medical Service Award honors a public or private air medical service in Texas that has demonstrated the highest standards in providing patient care, leading the way in innovation and commitment to patient care.

Outstanding EMS Person of the Year honors an EMS-certified person who has demonstrated uncommon leadership and courage in providing emergency medical service to the citizens of Texas.

Telecommunicator of the Year honors a person or team who handled a call or system event with a level of professionalism and efficiency that allowed the first responders on the scene to give the patients the best care possible. An individual or a team is eligible for the award.

Trauma Center Award honors a designated trauma facility in Texas that has demonstrated leadership and high standards in implementing injury prevention programs and providing trauma patient care to the citizens and visitors of Texas.

Regional Advisory Council Award honors a regional advisory council in Texas that has demonstrated leadership and high standards in improving emergency medical service and improving the Texas EMS/Trauma System.

2022 Texas EMS Award Winners

EMS Public Information/Injury Prevention
Chief Lee Richardso

EMS Educator
Roy Hunter, LP

EMS Telecommunicator
Alexis Perez

EMS Administrator
Xavier De La Rosa, LP

EMS Air Medical
Travis County STAR Flight

EMS Medical Director
Casey Patrick, MD

EMS Citizen
Joseph Wenske

EMS Provider
Titus Regional Medical Center EMS

EMS Person of the Year
Gentry O'Connor, EMT

GETAC Journey of Excellence
J. Neal Rutledge, MD

GETAC’s Lifetime Achievement Award
John Hellerstedt, MD