MARCH, 2009

EMS teams from North Hills, Mon Valley, shine at West Penn Allegheny STAR competition

Emergency medical services providers from the North Hills and Mon Valley are winners of the first STAR Cup, awarded by the Simulation, Training and Academic Research Center at West Penn Allegheny Health System.

Teams performed a cardiac arrest management scenario covering the first 15 minutes of resuscitation and were evaluated by experienced EMS instructors/providers. The competition took place during EMS Update 2009, March 27 and 28 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The winning teams received trophies for the service, gold or silver medals for each team member and other prizes.

The winners are:

1st Place – Advanced Life Support (ALS) Division

McCandless/Franklin Park Ambulance Authority

Team Members - Patty Mills, EMT-P; Tim Mills, EMT-P; Ed Gnoth, EMT-P; Bethany Ignatanko

Communities Served: Town of McCandless, Franklin Park Borough, Pine Township, Bradford Woods Borough, Marshall Township

Executive Director - Terri Sabina

Phone – (412) 367-5883

2nd Place ALS Division

Ross/West View EMSA

Team Members - Greg Porter, Assistant Director, EMT-P; Keith Jankosky, EMT-P; William J. Cummings, EMT-P; Jim Vardzel, EMT-P

Communities Served: Ross Township, West View Borough, Millvale Borough, Reserve Township, and Ohio Township.

Executive Director - Bryan Kircher

Phone – (412) 931-8200

1st Place Basic Life Support (BLS) Division

Mon Valley EMS

Team Members - Dietrich Margacelli, First Responder; Ryan Hess, EMT; Chris Hepple, EMT; Tina Rosul, EMT

Communities Served: Monessen, Donora, Charleroi, North Charleroi, Fallowfield Township, Speers, Dunlevy, Twilight, Allenport, North Belle Vernon, Belle Vernon Borough, Stockdale.

Chief: William N. Hess

Phone – (724) 684-7612

2nd Place BLS Division

Ross/West View EMSA

Team Members - Jonathan Goff, EMT; Baine Fairley, EMT; Bart Heaney - EMT

Communities Served: Ross Township, West View Borough, Millvale Borough, Reserve Township, and Ohio Township.

Executive Director - Bryan Kircher

Phone – (412) 931-8200

The Simulation, Teaching and Academic Research Center – or STAR Center – at West Penn Allegheny Health System is a virtual hospital. From the ambulance, to the ICU, to the delivery room, STAR allows aspiring and practicing healthcare professionals to perfect their skills in virtual reality, gaining confidence and proficiency prior to true patient encounters.