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2017 National EMS Awards of Excellence recipients announced

NAEMT Press Release | August 16, 2017

Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 22 seconds.

NAEMT and EMS World have announced the recipients of the 2017 National EMS Awards of Excellence. The awards will be presented during NAEMT’s General Membership Meeting on Oct. 17, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and on Oct. 18, during EMS World Expo’s opening ceremony.

Congratulations goes out to the following recipients and NAEMT and EMS World recognize their outstanding contributions to the emergency medical service (EMS) profession and the patients they serve:

  • Terry Bottjen, paramedic, Faith, South Dakota: 2017 NAEMT/Nasco Paramedic of the Year, sponsored by Nasco;
  • Ryan Houser, EMT, Morristown, New Jersey: 2017 NAEMT/Braun Industries EMT of the Year, sponsored by Braun Industries;
  • Jacob Ponczkowski, Sergeant, U.S. Army, Joint Base Louis-McChord, Washington State: 2017 NAEMT/North American Rescue Military Medic of the Year, sponsored by North American Rescue;
  • Ginny Renkiewicz, paramedic, Fayetteville, North Carolina: 2017 NAEMT/Jones & Bartlett Learning EMS Educator of the Year, sponsored by Jones & Bartlett Learning;
  • Allina Health EMS, St. Paul, Minnesota: 2017 Dick Ferneau Career EMS Service of the Year, sponsored by Ferno; and
  • Greenlawn Fire Dept. EMS, Greenlawn, New York: 2017 Volunteer EMS Service of the Year, sponsored by ZOLL;

Terry Bottjen is certified as a paramedic in South Dakota and nationally. He has served in EMS for 37 years in ground and air ambulance agencies and as an educator. Bottjen has volunteered moret han 50,000 hours of service, earning him the South Dakota Governor’s Volunteer Award and the JC Penny Golden Rule Volunteer of the Year Award.

Bottjen is also an experienced Scuba rescue diver. He has received commendation letters from state and federal leaders and recognitions locally.

Ryan Houser has worked in EMS since age 16. He is driven to help others and has aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon, working in federal law enforcement, and advancing the field of tactical medicine. Houser is a volunteer EMT for Morris Minute Men EMS (Morristown, New Jersey) and as Assistant Captain helps with operational readiness and recruitment, chairing the agency’s membership and equipment committees.

Ponczkowski serves in the U.S. Army 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, as a military combat medic. He is also a paramedic. Most recently, Ponczkowski was honored with a Bronze Star Medal with Valor for efforts to support Operation Freedom Sentinel in Afghanistan. The Joint Task Force citation read: “Sgt. Ponczkowski’s poise while under direct fire undoubtedly saved the lives of his fellow rangers and directly contributed to the success of the task force.”

Renkiewicz has devoted the past 17 years to advancing her education, the instruction of others, and to enhancing her patient care skills in the service of her community. Husband Adam Renkiewicz, CPT, CA, Dept. of the Army Civil-Military Operations, nominated Ginny in recognition of her sacrifice and dedication to advancing the levels of education and research within the EMS profession.

To read the full press release, click here.

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