Paramedics from 38 of Ontario’s 56 paramedic services were among the 166 paramedics to receive exemplary service medals from the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC).
York Region Paramedic Services saw the second most paramedics honoured with the medal behind only Toronto.
The 11 York Region paramedics to receive the medal were Aimee Prentice, Alex Gawlik, Andre Desy, Andrea Cann, Hayley Sangster, Jeremy Watts, Kevin Johnston, Lisa McPhail, Matthew Meagher, Paula Drinkle, and Sergio Calderon.
“On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, the OAPC is honoured to present the medal to so many dedicated paramedics in Ontario,” said Chief Michael Sanderson, OAPC president. “Paramedics in Ontario have demonstrated every day the caring and compassion they have for their communities. It’s an honour to recognize these exemplary members.”
Created in 1994 by former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc, the award is presented to paramedics who have served for at least 20 years providing the highest quality of care.
To qualify, at least 10 of the years of service must have been on duty in the field – whether on the street or in the air - involving potential risk to the individual. Since the award’s inception, there have been 3,338 Ontario recipients of the medal.