San Francisco Sun

On Tuesday, May 21st, Mayor London N. Breed joined Mary Ellen Carroll, Executive Director of the Department of Emergency Management, and other city leaders to honor San Francisco Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers during the 2024 San Francisco EMS Awards.

The annual EMS Awards recognize outstanding achievements and contributions to the San Francisco EMS System in eight categories: EMS System Dispatcher, EMS System Field Provider, EMS System Hospital Provider, First Responder Award, Community Award, Raymond Lim Excellence in EMS Award, Mary Magocsy Excellence in EMS and Disaster Leadership Award, and Community Paramedicine Provider of the Year.

“I am extremely proud of our Emergency Medical System providers who come to the aid of those most in need under very challenging circumstances,” said Mayor London Breed. “From our 911 dispatchers taking the call from someone in crisis to the first responders stabilizing and transporting them, to the nurses and doctors who provide medical care, we honor our heroes for their commitment and dedication to our community.”

“The Emergency Medical Services Agency is an integral part of our Department, and we are happy to support the EMS Awards which highlight the amazing work all our first responders do,” said Mary Ellen Carroll. “This year's honorees perfectly exemplify how closely our first responders work with each other and with the community.”

"The San Francisco EMSA Awards recognize the range of services provided by our Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics and Captains as well as Administrators, Hospital staff and the greater patient care community," said Jeanine Nicholson, Chief of the San Francisco Fire Department. “Recognition of our efforts and accomplishments is a reminder of where we stand in this larger system dedicated to helping others."

“The annual EMS Awards program honors and acknowledges EMS system personnel and community members who go above and beyond in service to the City and County of San Francisco’s EMS System,” said Andrew Holcomb. “It is so important to recognize and celebrate our city’s exceptional EMS providers.”

The 2024 award winners are:

- Valerie Tucker received the 2024 EMS System Dispatcher Award for her response to a CPR call at Harding Park Golf Course.

- Luis Jacques, Enrique Lopez, and Francesco Kaner received the 2024 EMS System Field Provider Award. Lopez's actions saved a man during a cardiac arrest call; Kaner was recognized for saving a person attempting suicide outside UCSF Medical Center.

- Theresa Sandholdt was honored with the 2024 EMS System Hospital Provider Award for her nursing skills at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

- Deputy Barry Bloom received the 2024 First Responder Award for administering over one hundred doses of naloxone.

- ODC Dance Company earned the 2024 Community Award for its Health Initiatives Program.

- John Brown was awarded the Raymond Lim Excellence in EMS Award for his over 28 years of service.

- Section Chief April Sloan received recognition with the Mary Magocsy Excellence in EMS and Disaster Leadership Award.

- Emily Tam was named Community Paramedicine Provider of The Year.

For detailed summaries about these awardees visit: sf.gov/emsa

The awards are held as part of National EMS Week celebrating its 50th anniversary this year underlining "Honoring our past, forging our future." This theme aims to honor those who raised standards while looking forward towards future advancements.

The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) oversees emergency management functions including receiving 911 calls through its Division of Emergency Communications (911), developing emergency plans via its Division of Emergency Services (DES), activating emergency operations centers (EOC), preparing citizens for all-hazards events such as earthquakes or terrorism. Since 1989 DEM’s Emergency Medical Services Agency has been ensuring top-notch emergency care within San Francisco alongside coordinating mutual aid resource requests during disaster responses.

National Emergency Medical Services Week from May 19 to May 25 brings communities together with medical personnel recognizing those on medicine's front lines through various special events.