Williamson Health EMS along with other Williamson County first responder agencies were honored with two lifesaving awards at the 16th annual Star of Life ceremony hosted by the Children’s Emergency Care Alliance (CECA TN) on Thursday, May 2. The first honor was the Region Five Star of Life Award and the second was the Outstanding Achievement in Maternal and Neonate Emergency Response Award.

The Star of Life Awards honor the accomplishments of first responders from all regions of Tennessee who provide exemplary life-saving care to adult and pediatric patients.

Williamson Health paramedics along with Williamson County Emergency Communications, Brentwood Communications Center, Brentwood Fire & Rescue and Brentwood Police Department were honored for their incredible response to a critical situation during which world-renowned musician, Phil Vassar, experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. Upon arrival to the scene, the first responders found Vassar on the floor not breathing and without a pulse.

From the dispatch centers to the responders on the scene, each exhibited exemplary teamwork, efficiency, and professionalism during this critical situation so that Vassar could be successfully resuscitated, intubated and transported to the hospital where he was treated and after a few weeks of rehabilitation and support from family and friends, made a full recovery.

“I am extremely grateful for and in awe of the entire group of first responders led by the Williamson Health EMS team who ultimately saved my life,” said Vassar, who attended the Star of Life Awards event to celebrate the first responders receiving this award. “Their expertise, use of innovative techniques and desire to serve others allowed me a second chance to continue pursuing my passion of making music for the world.”

Williamson Health EMS, Williamson County Emergency Communications, Williamson County Fire/Rescue and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office were also honored for their collective role in saving the lives of Kelly Moore and her newborn son, Easton. Her father called 911 after she had unexpectedly given birth to her son at only 27 weeks.

The reason for the call quickly transitioned from childbirth to cardiac arrest as Easton stopped breathing while his mother was also deteriorating due to severe blood loss. Upon arrival to the scene, the EMS team assessed the situation and with intentional care prepared both of them for transport, administering lifesaving blood products to Kelly and placing Easton in a BVM (bag-valve-mask) bag to keep him warm and improve his heart rate. Because of the quick actions of these first responders, both Moore and Easton made a full recovery. Mother, son and other family members attended the Star of Life Awards event to honor the first responders receiving this award.

“Our biggest blessing could have quickly turned into our worst nightmare had it not been for the outstanding response of the group of Williamson County emergency responders led by the Williamson Health EMS team,” said Moore.

“The level of care my son and I received from these first responders that day forever changed our lives. We are eternally grateful to them for giving us the gift of life and working tirelessly each day to protect the lives of those in our community,” she said.

Williamson Health EMS has a long-standing partnership with Williamson County and each of the city and county public safety departments to deliver a comprehensive EMS system to all residents and visitors. As the county’s primary 911 emergency medical provider, Williamson Health EMS system employs more than 200 AEMTs, paramedics, critical care paramedics and support personnel to deploy 18 advanced life support ambulances.

“Williamson Health is proud to have one of the best EMS teams in the nation, and we are honored this year to receive both the Region Five Star of Life Award and the Outstanding Achievement in Maternal and Neonate Emergency Response Award this year,” said Phil Mazzuca, Williamson Health chief executive officer.

“These stories are reflective of the lifesaving care these medical professionals provide daily in collaboration with the other talented first responder agencies also serving Williamson County. I commend these first responders for their dedication to their community and commitment to providing the highest level of care to those with emergency health needs,” he said.

Williamson County EMS has been providing emergency medical services and related aid since 1972. The system was the first 911 ground EMS provider in Tennessee and fourth in the country authorized to carry and administer pre-hospital blood products.

Williamson Health EMS is now a six-time recipient of the annual Star of Life Award for Tennessee EMS Region Five, is a multi-year recipient of the American Heart Association: Mission Lifeline recognition and was named the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association 2020 ALS (Advanced Life Support) Service of the Year. The EMS system also supports the county’s emergency preparedness efforts, providing the coordination of Ambulance Strike Teams from Tennessee EMS Region Five and provides EMS services within the community for schools and events such as the Main Street Festival, Franklin Rodeo and Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival.

ABOUT WILLIAMSON HEALTH | Williamson Health is a regional healthcare system based in Williamson County, Tennessee, with more than 2,100 employees across more than 30 locations and more than 860 physicians and advanced care practitioners offering exceptional healthcare across 60-plus specialties and subspecialties close to home. The flagship hospital, Williamson Medical Center, now undergoing a historic $200 million expansion and renovation project, offers extensive women’s services, state-of-the-art cardiology services, advanced surgical technologies, an award-winning obstetrics and NICU, leading-edge orthopaedics, outpatient imaging services, and comprehensive emergency and inpatient services for both adult and pediatric patients. Other Williamson Health service providers include the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, The Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center, Williamson Health physician practices that are strategically located throughout the community, countywide Emergency Medical Services that include 18 rapid response units, Williamson Health Foundation, and multiple joint venture Vanderbilt Health and Williamson Medical Center Walk-In Clinics in Williamson County. Learn more about our many specialized services at www.WilliamsonHealth.org.