Springfield EMS Member Honored By Overlook Medical Center

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — A member of Springfield First Aid Squad was among the EMS first responders to be honored by Overlook Medical Center as part of National EMS Week.

Fahad Sheikh was honored with the EMT Excellence Award at Overlook's event on May 23. The 22nd annual event celebrated the important role that EMS first responders play in the communities they serve, and highlighted the extraordinary accomplishments of members of several local squads in the region.

“There’s such power in what they do; in some cases, they’re risking their own lives to save the lives
of others,” said Cynthia Benson, DO, assistant medical director of the emergency department at Overlook. “That people would volunteer for that role is just incredible to me. What an amazing gift to our society.”

Seventeen EMS personnel were given the EMT Excellence Award at the event for exceptional service. The awards were presented by colleagues, who described the winners’ accomplishments to the audience.

A full list of the award winners included:

• Josie Roberts – Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad
• Jamie Pedinoff – Fanwood Rescue Squad
• Donna Cordell-Genlot – Garwood First Aid Squad
• Jessica Delgado-Days – Kenilworth Fire Department and Resque Squad
• Claire Butkerait – Long Hill First Aid Squad
• Saverio Zipeto – Mountainside Rescue Squad
• Sara Costa – New Providence EMS
• Chang Yaramothu – Scotch Plains Rescue Squad
• Fahad Sheikh – Springfield First Aid Squad
• Gino Fiorenza – Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad
• Daniel Gomez – Cranford First Aid Squad
• Anthony Pagano – Elizabeth Fire Department
• Mike Lemons – Chatham Emergency Squad
• Margaret “Peggy” Dendinger – Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad
• Angel Quiros – Watchung Rescue Squad
• Kajal Gandhi – Union Emergency Medical Unit
• Keith Peterson – Westfield Rescue Squad

Overlook also presented an EMS Council Recognition Award to Marla O’Donnell, clinical coordinator at the Emergency Department at Overlook’s Union Campus, for her work collaborating with EMS personnel.

Additionally, Overlook also recognized two members of its emergency department staff at the event for their efforts in maintaining a supportive environment for visiting EMS workers – most specifically, cleaning the coveted slushee machine that provides free drinks to the first responders:

• Leonard Pastore, supply tech coordinator for the emergency department
• Marsh White, emergency department unit representative

Overlook also recognized its Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) with the Overlook EMS Council Award for its years of service and dedication.

Three paramedics with the MICU in particular were recognized for their longevity with the program: Daniel MacMahon, Ron Jacobs and Harry Bigelow.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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