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2024 DSHS Emergency Medical Services Award winners selected

News Release
News Release
November 26, 2024

The Texas Department of State Health Services celebrated excellence Tuesday by handing out awards to individuals, teams and facilities in the emergency medical services profession that demonstrated exemplary service to their local communities and the profession in 2024. The awards luncheon was part of the annual Texas EMS Conference, this year held in Fort Worth.

“Those recognized at this year’s awards ceremony have made significant impacts on our EMS operations,” said Dr. Timothy Stevenson, DSHS Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Protection. “These award winners exemplify true professionalism and excellence, which so many of our EMS professionals demonstrate every day. Texas is fortunate they are safeguarding our state and communities within our EMS/Trauma System.”

Winners recognized during the awards ceremony at the conference were:

  • EMS Community Recognition Award
    Jimmy Lanning, LP
    Stratford
     
  • EMS Education Program/Educator of the Year
    Samantha Grimsley, LP
    Weatherford
     
  • Dispatcher Excellence Award
    Jerome Wymore
    Lockhart
     
  • Interfacility Collaboration Award
    Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center
    Houston
     
  • Rural Healthcare Award
    Val Verde Regional Medical Center EMS
    Del Rio
     
  • Designated Facilities of the Year
    UT Tyler Healthcare System
    Tyler

    Childress Regional Medical Center
    Childress
     
  • EMS Leader of the Year
    Stephen Harper, MD
    San Antonio
     
  • EMS Professional of the Year
    Eduardo Rodriguez, EMT-P
    Dallas
     
  • EMS Response of the Year
    Waller County EMS
    Hempstead

    Memorial Hermann Life Flight
    Houston
     
  • GETAC* Journey of Excellence
    Chief W. Nim Kidd, EMT
    Austin

    Eric Epley, EMT-P
    San Antonio
     
  • GETAC’s Lifetime Achievement Award
    Donald Jenkins, MD
    San Antonio
     
  • Hall of Honor (Line of Duty Deaths)
    Shon Mathews, EMT-P
    November 2, 2020
    Texarkana

    Zane Schaeffer, EMT-P
    March 24, 2024
    Ben Wheeler


*GETAC is the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council.

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(News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov)