HUMC celebrates National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week
By Mel Fabrikant Thursday, September 04, 2008, 10:00 AM EDT
Hackensack University Medical Center recently celebrated National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week with the theme “EMS - Your Life is Our Mission.” The medical center recognized the work of thousands of men and women who respond to medical emergencies in the surrounding communities, locally, and nationally. A welcome banner saluting all providers for their support and cooperation was displayed in the entrance to the Jeffrey M. Creamer Trauma Center. Additionally, the medical center hosted its 17th Annual EMS Excellence Award Program at The Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack.
The keynote speaker was Joseph Catalino, MS, of Colorado Springs, CO, director of the Private Sector Integration Team, Domestic Initiatives, Interagency Coordination Directorate (IC) of USNORTHCOM. Dennis McNerney, county executive, spoke as well.
Mr. Catalino currently serves as the director of Programs for the Private Sector Integration Team at NORAD and USNORTHCOM (N-NC) headquarters and the IC. This position is held within the Department of Defense. Mr. Catalino received “Best Practice” recognition from the Joint Warfighting Center and Joint Forces Command. He is an expert in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery operations for an Incident of National Significance. His area provides proper support processes for interfacing with the Department of Homeland Security. He currently serves as deputy administrator of the Aerospace Medicine and Dental Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base. Additionally, he is the former officer-in-charge of Medical Logistics for the largest Aerosmedical Evac Squadron in the Air Force. Prior to this position, he served 13 years in the enlisted ranks and reached Master Sergeant (MSgt)/E-7 and received direct commission into the Medical Service Corps (MSC) as a first lieutenant. He has Top Secret Security Clearance and has been recognized for outstanding performance for numerous Airman and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year awards. Mr. Catalino has flown more than 70 operational in-flight medical missions transporting nearly 1,000 patients. After September 11, 2001, he completed 21 months on active duty including two separate deployments to classified locations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a graduate of the Southern Illinois University, IL; Central Michigan University, MI and is a Ph.D. student at Walden University, MN.
As the state-designated trauma center for Bergen County, the medical center recognizes the vital role played by the county’s first responders, EMS, police, and fire departments.
More than 60 awards were distributed at the program based on leadership ability, professionalism, pre-hospital knowledge, and recognition for a specific incident in which treatment was instrumental in obtaining a favorable outcome. Additionally, recognition certificates were presented from the office of Dennis McNerney. Melissa Sudol was the Robert D. Cirri Memorial Scholarship recipient. Gary Yanetti received the Emil Yannetti Scholarship Award, and Samantha Kilroe was the William DeLooper Memorial Scholarship winner.
Special recognition was appointed to Adam Gorecki in recognition for his heroic response and actions in the borough of Hillsdale that helped save the life of Gary Galian of Emerson. Adam and his wife Diane, and their son, Andrew, 16, were on hand to meet Gary and his wife, Shoushig, during a very poignant moment of the event. Mr. Galian had suffered a heart attack while driving and subsequent car crashes as a result, and Mr. Gorecki was one of the first to help him.
Ken Christensen, MICP of Ramsey, paramedic and coordinator of the Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at HUMC, was honored for his more than 28 years of service to the medical center. Mr. Christensen was the New Jersey Statewide Conference’s choice for Outstanding EMS Administrator for 2007.
As the state-designated trauma center for Bergen County, the medical center recognizes the vital role played by the county’s first responders, EMS, police, and fire departments. Awards are distributed at the program, based on leadership ability, professionalism, pre-hospital knowledge, and recognition for a specific incident in which treatment was instrumental in obtaining a favorable outcome.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Pictured from left: Dennis McNerney, county executive; Dianne A. M. Aroh, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC); Shoushig and Gary Galian of Emerson, a patient of HUMC; Adam Gorecki, RN, of Smithtown, NY, good Samaritan; Joseph Feldman, M.D., of New York, NY, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at HUMC; Diane and Andrew Gorecki, 16, gather at HUMC’s 17th Annual EMS Award Excellence Program.
The keynote speaker was Joseph Catalino, MS, of Colorado Springs, CO, director of the Private Sector Integration Team, Domestic Initiatives, Interagency Coordination Directorate (IC) of USNORTHCOM. Dennis McNerney, county executive, spoke as well.
Mr. Catalino currently serves as the director of Programs for the Private Sector Integration Team at NORAD and USNORTHCOM (N-NC) headquarters and the IC. This position is held within the Department of Defense. Mr. Catalino received “Best Practice” recognition from the Joint Warfighting Center and Joint Forces Command. He is an expert in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery operations for an Incident of National Significance. His area provides proper support processes for interfacing with the Department of Homeland Security. He currently serves as deputy administrator of the Aerospace Medicine and Dental Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base. Additionally, he is the former officer-in-charge of Medical Logistics for the largest Aerosmedical Evac Squadron in the Air Force. Prior to this position, he served 13 years in the enlisted ranks and reached Master Sergeant (MSgt)/E-7 and received direct commission into the Medical Service Corps (MSC) as a first lieutenant. He has Top Secret Security Clearance and has been recognized for outstanding performance for numerous Airman and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year awards. Mr. Catalino has flown more than 70 operational in-flight medical missions transporting nearly 1,000 patients. After September 11, 2001, he completed 21 months on active duty including two separate deployments to classified locations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a graduate of the Southern Illinois University, IL; Central Michigan University, MI and is a Ph.D. student at Walden University, MN.
As the state-designated trauma center for Bergen County, the medical center recognizes the vital role played by the county’s first responders, EMS, police, and fire departments.
More than 60 awards were distributed at the program based on leadership ability, professionalism, pre-hospital knowledge, and recognition for a specific incident in which treatment was instrumental in obtaining a favorable outcome. Additionally, recognition certificates were presented from the office of Dennis McNerney. Melissa Sudol was the Robert D. Cirri Memorial Scholarship recipient. Gary Yanetti received the Emil Yannetti Scholarship Award, and Samantha Kilroe was the William DeLooper Memorial Scholarship winner.
Special recognition was appointed to Adam Gorecki in recognition for his heroic response and actions in the borough of Hillsdale that helped save the life of Gary Galian of Emerson. Adam and his wife Diane, and their son, Andrew, 16, were on hand to meet Gary and his wife, Shoushig, during a very poignant moment of the event. Mr. Galian had suffered a heart attack while driving and subsequent car crashes as a result, and Mr. Gorecki was one of the first to help him.
Ken Christensen, MICP of Ramsey, paramedic and coordinator of the Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at HUMC, was honored for his more than 28 years of service to the medical center. Mr. Christensen was the New Jersey Statewide Conference’s choice for Outstanding EMS Administrator for 2007.
As the state-designated trauma center for Bergen County, the medical center recognizes the vital role played by the county’s first responders, EMS, police, and fire departments. Awards are distributed at the program, based on leadership ability, professionalism, pre-hospital knowledge, and recognition for a specific incident in which treatment was instrumental in obtaining a favorable outcome.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Pictured from left: Dennis McNerney, county executive; Dianne A. M. Aroh, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC); Shoushig and Gary Galian of Emerson, a patient of HUMC; Adam Gorecki, RN, of Smithtown, NY, good Samaritan; Joseph Feldman, M.D., of New York, NY, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at HUMC; Diane and Andrew Gorecki, 16, gather at HUMC’s 17th Annual EMS Award Excellence Program.
