Local Medic receives award from NYS

[notch138 7]

Congratulations to Paramedic Mark Bedell on your achievement.

Ulster County paramedic Mark Bedell was named the Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year by the New York state Department of Health. Bedell was presented with the award at the 27th annual Vital Signs Conference held recently in New York City.

Pok. Journal link

[FFFORD 27]

Congrats! great work.

[citystation1848 15]

Fantastic, Congratulations Paramedic Bedell!

[helicopper 1,050]

Nice job! Congratulations.

[WAS967 97]

Congrats. Related question tho. The article doesn't mention - what lead to the award. IE, what made him stand out above the other candidates?

[Turborich 12]

Congrats. Related question tho. The article doesn't mention - what lead to the award. IE, what made him stand out above the other candidates?

EMS BACKGROUND;

Paramedic Mark Bedell has been involved in Emergency Services since birth, as his Mother and Father were both Emergency Services Coordinators in Rennselear County, NY and held connections to the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley in the Town of Shandaken. Mark has been a NYS Certified Paramedic for 20+ years, and has been involved in EMS for 30+ years. In addition to his military service, Mark has served for numerous EMS and Fire organizations in countless leadership roles in his travels while holding technician level or instructor level certifications in most technical rescue, firefighting, and EMS certifications available within New York State. In addition to currently working a whopping 72 hours a week for Shandaken Ambulance, Mark currently serves as a Captain and Commissioner of the Hoags Corners Fire Co. No. 1 in Rennselear County and is also a member of Hoags Corners Volunteer Ambulance Squad.

REASON FOR AWARD NOMINATION;

On top of working an incredible 3,700 hours as a Paramedic for Shandaken Ambulance last year, accounting for slightly less than a third of Shandaken Ambulance’s total Paramedic coverage, Paramedic Bedell had a particularly positive impact on patient care September 6, 2009. In the wake of a fatal recreational tubing accident one week earlier, At 1229 hours Town of Shandaken Ambulance along with the Phoenicia Fire Department, Ulster County Sheriffs' Dive Team, and Shandaken Police Department responded to a report of a tuber in distress on the Esopus Creek. Upon the quick arrival of Fire Department first responders, Town Police, and Paramedic Bedell it was determined that a female patient had her leg wedged between large rocks in heavy rapids approximately 60 feet from shore, was visibly exhausted, and yelled to shore that she “could not hold on any longer” . Without any other effective means of reaching the victim and utilizing his technician level training, Paramedic Bedell selflessly affected a go- rescue with the assistance from the Phoenicia Fire Department. Paramedic Bedell successfully disentangled the individual’s leg from the rocks, provided aide to her until she could be extricated from the stream by the Ulster County Sheriffs' Dive Team and Phoenicia Fire Department, and transported the patient to the hospital.

Just an hour and a half later ( and before Paramedic Bedell could dry off ) Shandaken Ambulance as well as Phoenicia Fire Department and Shandaken Police Department were dispatched for an allergic reaction on a hiking trail off of Old Plank Road. Upon arrival of the Ambulance (which was returning from the hospital) Paramedic Bedell along with his crew hiked approximately ½ mile to arrive at a patient in acute anaphylaxis secondary to multiple bee stings sustained on the trail while hiking. Following an administration of High dose Epinephrine, Benadryl, and a fluid bolus the patient was successfully extricated off the trail, and transported to the hospital with positive prognosis following.

CONTRIBUTION / IMPACT ON EMS;

Paramedic Bedell’s actions on September 6, 2009, as well as his dedication to the Shandaken Ambulance Service exemplify the qualities of an individual truly dedicated to his craft. His longevity in the EMS industry defy all statistical odds, and his dedication far supersedes even the most “gung- ho” of EMS professionals. It is without doubt that Paramedic Bedell will continue to serve the citizens of the Town of Shandaken, and beyond with the outstanding care, compassion, and enthusiasm that he has for the past 30 years.