Pepperell, MA – In celebration of National Emergency Medical Service (EMS) week, Steward Health Care System hosted the inaugural “EMS Stewards of the Community” Award Ceremony on May 23 at The Tirrell Room in Quincy. Boston-based Steward, which operates ten hospitals across Massachusetts, recognized 14 EMS providers, including Pepperell Fire Department’s Benjamin Simmons for going “above and beyond” in their interactions with patients at Nashoba Valley Medical Center.

“EMS providers are unsung heroes on the front lines in the battle against illness and injury,” said Salvatore Perla, president of Nashoba Valley Medical Center, who presented the award to Simmons. “We are immensely proud to unveil the ‘EMS Stewards of the Community’ to honor their hard work and commitment to quality care.”

The “EMS Stewards of the Community” awards show appreciation for emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians and advanced emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who not only carry out the noble work of caring for others, but do so with a high degree of expertise, professionalism, and compassion. An internal committee of physicians and EMS Directors selected recipients from among providers in current practice in a Steward Hospital area.

Roseann Sdoia, injured during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, delivered the “Stewards of the Community” keynote address, telling her story of strength and perseverance. As Sdoia waited for a friend to finish the race, the second bomb went off right next to her; she ultimately lost her right leg due to injuries sustained on that horrific day.

“If it weren’t for first responders like those being honored tonight, I might not be standing with you here today,” said Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Roseann Sdoia. “It is human instinct to flee an emergency for safety and yet these courageous men and women willingly rush into dangerous situations every day – they are and forever will be my heroes.”

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center
Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by the Leapfrog Group, is a recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval, and was named to Leapfrog’s annual list of Top Hospitals in 2014. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, geriatric psychiatry, cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology,
oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Center for Pain Management, Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospital campuses, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.nashobamed.org.

About Steward Health Care
Steward Health Care is a fully integrated national health care services organization committed to providing the highest quality of care in the communities where our patients live. Steward owns and operates 18 community hospitals across four states, serves over 800 communities, and has more than 23,000 employees. The Steward network includes more than 25 urgent care centers, 42 preferred skilled nursing facilities, substantial behavioral health offerings, and more than 3,700 beds under management.

The innovative, community-based Steward Health Care Network includes more than 4,500 physicians who care for approximately 2 million patients annually. Steward Medical Group, the company’s employed physician group, provides more than 1 million patient encounters per year and manages Steward Home Care and Hospice with 300,000 and 35,000 patient encounters respectively. Steward’s unique health care service delivery model leverages technology and care coordination to keep patients healthier and in the community. Steward is recognized as one of the nation’s leading accountable care organizations. Steward hospitals have received the country’s top awards for quality and safety.

The Steward Hospital Group is comprised of: Sebastian River Medical Center (Sebastian, FL), Wuesthoff Medical Center (Melbourne, FL), Wuesthoff Medical Center (Rockledge, FL), Carney Hospital (Dorchester, MA), Good Samaritan Medical Center (Brockton, MA), Holy Family Hospital (Haverhill, MA and Methuen, MA), Morton Hospital (Taunton, MA), Nashoba Valley Medical Center (Ayer, MA), New England Sinai Hospital (Stoughton, MA), Norwood Hospital (Norwood, MA), Saint Anne’s Hospital (Fall River, MA), St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (Brighton, MA), Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital (Warren, OH), Northside Medical Center (Youngstown, OH), Trumbull Memorial Hospital (Warren, OH), Easton Hospital (Easton, PA) and Sharon Regional Health System (Sharon, PA). Additional information is available at www.steward.org.

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