Paramedics Honoured For 30 Years Of Service, "I Still Love My Job"

Paramedics see all of life's joys and sorrows, "we hold the patient's hand when they bring a life into this world, and then we hold someone's hand and comfort them when they're on their way out of this world, so we see both ends of the spectrum."

That from longtime local paramedic with Southern Health Santé Sud Tom Helliwell. He was one of nearly two dozen paramedics who was recently honoured by the Province.

With more than 34 years of experience, Helliwell received his 30-year bar.

"It was quite an honour," he says. "I love my job. I still love getting up in the morning... I love the people I work with."

Morden-Winkler MLA and Health Minister Cameron Friesen presented the awards to the EMS staff at the Provincial Legislature last week.

"That's a short list of individuals who not only perform their duties, but they do so in an exemplary manner," Friesen says. "They are characterized by good conduct and known for their hard work."

To be eligible, individuals must have completed at least 20 years of service in emergency medical services with at least 10 years served performing duties involving potential risk, and have a record of exemplary service.

"The work paramedics at the front line and in leadership positions do is vital to our health system," says Helen Clark, Chief Operating Officer of emergency response services and chief allied health at Shared Health. "I would like to thank each of these professionals for their many years of dedicated service to Manitobans and congratulate them for receiving this well-deserved national honour."

Award winners from Southern Health Santé Sud included:

Doreen Boyd, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
Gwen Blatz; Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
Kunegunda Fedoruk, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
Robert Sattler, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;
Stuart Cuddy, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 30-year bar;
Tom Helliwell, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 30-year medal;
William Vanderveen, Southern Health – Santé Sud: 20-year medal;