AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine EMS Awards celebrated its 2024 recipients at a ceremony held in the Hall of Flags at the Capitol Building in Augusta on May 23, following a remembrance ceremony at the EMS Memorial. These awards acknowledged the outstanding contributions and achievements of EMS clinicians, partners and organizations throughout Maine.
There were 24 award winners across seven categories, which included the Governor’s Award, EMS Excellence Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, EMS Merit Award, Medical Director of the Year, EMS Service of the Year Award and EMS Community Partner Award.
Among the recipients of the EMS Merit Award was Andrew (AJ) Gagnon Jr., chair of the EMS Department at Northern Maine Community College. Originally from East Millinocket, Gagnon is an alumnus of NMCC’s paramedicine program and also holds a bachelor’s in nursing and a master’s in nursing administration, as well as a considerable number of professional certifications. After volunteering as a firefighter in high school, he discovered a passion for helping people, leading him to pursue opportunities in emergency and critical health settings, including flight medicine. Gagnon was recognized alongside fellow EMS Merit Award honorees Carolyn Stinson and Phillip MacCallum.
NMCC President Timothy Crowley expressed his pride in Gagnon’s accomplishments, “Andrew Gagnon has established a high standard of excellence in the EMS field, inspiring and making a significant impact. His dedication and hard work in education contribute to the safety and well-being of our communities. We are extremely proud and fortunate to have AJ as an educator at NMCC.”
Also recognized was Dr. Beth Ann Collamore, recipient of the Medical Director of the Year award. Dr. Collamore contributed to the establishment of the nationally accredited Emergency Medical Services program and Critical Care Transport training at NMCC and continues to work with students.
This year’s EMS Week, May 19 to 25, marks the 50th anniversary as a national week of recognition. The theme, “Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future” celebrates the foundational work of past EMS professionals while striving to advance and lead the EMS system into the future.
For more information, please visit nmcc.edu or NMCC’s Facebook page.
Founded in 1961, the Northern Maine Community College is an accredited two-year public community college located in Presque Isle, Maine. The College is committed to excellence in learning and offers over 30 innovative associate degree and certificate-level programs both online and in-person. NMCC is one of seven colleges in the Maine Community College System. To learn more about the College visit www.nmcc.edu or call NMCC Admissions at 207-768-2785.
