Page 3 - JSOM Winter 2017

from the
PUBLISHER and EDITOR

he staff of the JSOM would like to take We would also like to congratulate the
Tthis opportunity to congratulate Jacob following 2017 National EMS Awards of
Ponczkowski, Sergeant, US Army, Joint Excellence Recipients and recognize their
Base Lewis-McChord, WA, as the winner of outstanding contributions to the EMS
the 2017 NAEMT/North American Rescue Michelle DuGuay Landers profession.
Military Medic of the Year, sponsored by
North American Rescue. Terry Bottjen, Paramedic, Faith, SD
2017 NAEMT/Nasco Paramedic of the Year,
SGT Ponczkowski serves in the US Army 2nd Battalion, 75th sponsored by Nasco
Ranger Regiment, as a military combat medic and paramedic. Ryan Houser, EMT, Morristown, NJ
Most recently, SGT Ponczkowski was honored with a Bronze 2017 NAEMT/Braun Industries EMT of the Year,
Star Medal with Valor for efforts to support Operation Free- sponsored by Braun Industries
dom Sentinel in Afghanistan. The Joint Task Force citation
read: ‘SGT Ponczkowski’s poise while under direct fire un- Ginny Renkiewicz, Paramedic, Fayetteville, NC
doubtedly saved the lives of his fellow Rangers and directly 2017 NAEMT/Jones & Bartlett Learning EMS Educator of
contributed to the success of the task force.” Dr Charles the Year, sponsored by Jones & Bartlett Learning
Moore, medical director and physician, wrote: “SGT Poncz- Allina Health, EMS, St. Paul, MN
kowski (Ponch) has continuously set the example of what a 2017 Dick Ferneau Career EMS Service of the Year,
Medic is and should be. On one particular night in Afghani- sponsored by Ferno
stan, SGT Ponch heroically put his life in peril as he fought
through enemy fire to save the life of a US advisor.” Greenlawn Fire Department EMS, Greenlawn, NY
2017 Volunteer EMS Service of the Year,
Dr Moore also remarked that SGT Ponczkowski has impres- sponsored by ZOLL
sive medical ability and knowledge and is a great Soldier
who trains himself and helps others to go above and beyond Formed in 1975 and more than 65,000 mem-
the standard. SGT Ponczkowski has earned the Expert Field bers strong, the National Association of
Medical Badge, is qualified as a Dive Medical Technician, is Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)
a graduate of Ranger School, and has advanced instructor is the only national association represent-
certifications. ing the professional interests of all
emergency and mobile healthcare prac-
Nominees for the Military Medic of the Year Award are rec- titioners. NAEMT members work in all
ognized military medics (MOS-qualified active, reserve or Na- sectors of EMS, including government
tional Guard US Army Medic, Navy Corpsman, or Air Force agencies, fire departments, hospital-based am-
Medic) who demonstrate excellence in the performance of mil- bulance services, private companies, industrial and special op-
itary emergency medicine, with their primary role being that of erations settings, and in the military. For more information,
theater patient care. contact: Kathleen Taormina, Marketing and Media Manager,
kathleen.taormina@naemt.org

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