Brooke Kensinger
Today, we gather to honor an individual whose unwavering support
and dedication to the world of emergency medical services have
left a lasting mark on the Elkader community. This person truly
embodies what it means to be a 'Friend of EMS,' and her name is
Brooke Kensinger, the CEO of MercyOne Elkader Medical Center.
Being a 'Friend of EMS' means more than just offering
support; it means understanding the vital role that EMS
providers play in our communities and wholeheartedly championing
their cause. In this regard, Brooke Kensinger has proven herself
to be an exceptional advocate for EMS services in rural
healthcare, recognizing how they are an integral part of our
daily lives.
Brooke's commitment to EMS is not mere lip service; she has
translated her understanding and passion into tangible actions.
As the CEO of MercyOne Elkader Medical Center, she has
demonstrated her unwavering support for the MercyOne Elkader
Ambulance Service. Through her advocacy, she has ensured that
EMS remains an essential component of the day-to-day operations
of the medical center.
But her contributions don't stop there. Brooke's vision and
dedication have been instrumental in enhancing the quality of
care and services provided by the MercyOne Elkader Ambulance
Service. Under her leadership, she played a crucial role in
hiring paramedics to work full-time in the MercyOne Elkader
Emergency Department, a decision that not only bolstered the
hospital's ambulance service but also provided invaluable
support to the nursing staff.
It is with immense gratitude that we acknowledge Brooke
Kensinger as a 'Friend of EMS.' Her dedication to the field, her
support for EMS providers, and her vision for enhancing rural
healthcare services exemplify the spirit of this award. The
MercyOne Elkader Ambulance Service and, by extension, the entire
community, are indeed fortunate to have Brooke as a steadfast
ally in their mission to save lives and provide essential
healthcare services.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us celebrate Brooke Kensinger's
invaluable contributions to EMS and her well-deserved nomination
for the Iowa EMS Association's 'Friend of EMS' Award. Thank you,
Brooke, for your unwavering support and commitment to the
well-being of our community.
City of
Carroll Police Department
The Carroll Police Department services the City of
Carroll and its roughly 11,000 residents 24/7/365. Their service
and compassion is top notch, but that is only a small part of
what separates them from the rest. The Carroll Police Department
employs 15 full-time certified Police Officers, and it would be
an understatement if I simply said these guys are "busy." The
officers work hand in hand with EMS and received their CPR and
First Aid Training from the Carroll County Ambulance Service.
All of their squads are equipped with Lifepak CR2 AED's, as well
as, they carry Stop the Bleed and Narcan kits. I can, without a
doubt, 100% honestly say, these guys are the true-life savers
when it comes to patients suffering cardiac arrest. During
critical calls, they always respond with EMS and are often the
first ones on scene administering CPR. Even on non-critical
calls, they are eager to lend a hand, whether it be providing
lift assistance, running supplies back and forth to the rig,
driving an ambulance to the hospital, or just shuttling staff
around. These guys are our brothers, our backbone when the shit
hits the fan, and they are definitely a friend and an essential
part of Carroll County EMS. Please consider them above qualified
to receive the 2023 IEMSA Friend of EMS Award.
As I mentioned, the Carroll Police Department responds to
100% of the cardiac arrest calls in the City of Carroll. They
provide immediate high-quality CPR, deploy their AEDS and
provide lifesaving defibrillation, and they are trained to
provide basic airway management during critical events. In the
last year, their AED deployments and high-quality CPR have
resulted in dozens of ROSC events and POST ROSC full
neurologically intact outcomes. When I teach these guys CPR, I
always tell them they are the ones that are going to make a
difference in the outcomes of patients. Their immediate actions
and dedication are what truly makes a difference; Paramedics
Don't Save Lives, We Just Give God Time to Decided. They are the
first guys in and their actions speak the unspoken word. They
are the difference between living and dying and they
continuously show up and step up to the plate.
