District's Trauma Nurse Outreach Coordinator Honored by the Florida Department of Health

From left: Steve McCoy, Administrator, EMS Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight, Florida Department of Health and David A. Summers, RN, CFRN, EMT-P, Trauma Nurse Outreach Coordinator, Health Care District of Palm Beach County

David A. Summers, RN, CFRN, EMT-P, Trauma Nurse Outreach Coordinator with the District's Trauma Agency is the recipient of the 2017 "EMS Injury Prevention Award" by the Florida Department of Health. Mr. Summers was one of 15 EMS award recipients statewide recognized at the 27^thAnnual Emergency Medical Services Awards event held on July 11, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. The awards pay tribute to the medical professionals and agencies that ensure the public's health and safety in times of an emergency.

"It is an honor to be selected to receive this State recognition for my efforts to prevent needless injuries," said Mr. Summers. "This acknowledgement of my work in injury prevention helps validate my passion on keeping people safe through education and awareness. Being a part of the Health Care District's Trauma Agency provides me the ability to protect through knowledge. It's okay to play hard, just play safe."

The "EMS Prevention Award" recognizes an individual who:

currently holds Florida certification as an EMT/Paramedic or is a licensed RN or physician that is employed with a licensed EMS agency pursuant to Chapter 401, F.S. and has no administrative action pending from the Department of Health;
has demonstrated outstanding initiative and promoted best practices to prevent injuries in at least one area of injury prevention, such as motor vehicle safety, drowning, falls or burn prevention, etc.;
has been active on injury prevention committees, task forces, or boards at the local, state and/or national level;
responds to injury problems within communities by regularly going beyond duties as assigned; and
successfully integrated injury prevention issues into emergency care efforts.

"We congratulate David for this outstanding and well-deserved recognition," said Belma Andric, MD, MPH, the Health Care District's Chief Medical Officer. "We are proud of David's ongoing efforts training and educating caregivers and community members of all ages on trauma prevention as well as his collaboration with EMS agencies, hospital and community organizations."

In the event press release, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip stated: "The department is pleased to recognize the brave and honorable efforts of Florida's men and women who serve their community with excellence in emergency medical services. Congratulations to the statewide EMS award recipients for their significant contributions to EMS in Florida. We are so thankful for their lifesaving services."

The other award recipient from Palm Beach County was David Terrana with Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue who was recognized as the 2017 "Paramedic of the Year". To read the Florida Department of Health press release, visit: http://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2017/06/062817-emergency-medical-services-awards.html

David A. Summers, RN, CFRN, EMT-P with his wife Lisa Summers