Salisbury, MD – Yesterday, May 20, 2025, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) hosted the 2025 EMS Stars of Life Awards Ceremony at Wor-Wic Community College’s Guerrieri Hall Auditorium, recognizing outstanding EMS professionals and programs across the state who have gone above and beyond in their service to Maryland’s emergency medical system.
Each year during EMS Week, MIEMSS presents the Stars of Life Awards to acknowledge the dedication, compassion, and innovation of EMS providers and programs that elevate the standard of emergency care statewide. Among this year’s honored recipients:
Maryland EMS-Geriatric (EMS-G) Award
Firefighter/Paramedic Yvette “Yvie” Rode – Ocean City Fire Department
This award recognizes individuals or programs demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improving emergency medical care for Maryland’s older adult population.
“Yvie has a heart for service that shines in every patient encounter,” said Deputy Chief Derrick Simpson of the Ocean City Fire Department. “Her compassionate focus on our senior patients ensures they are treated with dignity and respect. She reminds us that aging doesn’t mean invisibility—our elders deserve grace, attention, and advocacy.”
Our late Battalion Chief of Training Rick Koch was honored with two prestigious awards, the Leon W. Hayes Award for Lifetime Excellence in EMS and the Maryland EMS-Children Award.
The Leon W. Hayes Award honors an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of exceptional commitment to patient care, EMS education, and the continual advancement of Maryland’s EMS system. The Maryland EMS-Children award recognizes significant contributions to the care of children and the promotion of Family-Centered Care within the EMS system. Chief Koch’s wife and daughter accepted both awards on his behalf, paying tribute to his unmatched legacy in training, mentorship, and compassionate service.
“Chief Rick Koch shaped generations of EMS providers through his leadership and unwavering passion,” said Deputy Chief Derrick Simpson. “Even though he is no longer with us, his influence lives on in the people he mentored and the lives he touched. Rick embodied everything the EMS system stands for.”
Outstanding EMS Program Award
Salisbury Fire Department – SWIFT Program
Recognized for its innovative approach to reducing death and disability, the SWIFT Salisbury/Wicomico Integrated Firstcare Team has become a model for integrating public health and emergency services. Through proactive outreach and crisis intervention, the program has improved outcomes for vulnerable populations in the community.
EMS Clinician of the Year
Katelyn Killian – Talbot County EMS
Honored for exceptional contributions to EMS in the past year, Killian’s work in advancing programs and enhancing patient care standards exemplifies the excellence Maryland strives for in its EMS clinicians.
The Maryland EMS Stars of Life Awards celebrate not only the achievements of individuals and organizations but also the collective spirit of Maryland’s emergency medical services—dedicated to saving lives, advancing care, and standing ready 24/7.
For more information on MIEMSS or the EMS Stars of Life Awards, visit www.miemss.org.
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