For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Kathy Palm, Aspirus Riverview Hospital trauma and emergency medical services (EMS) coordinator, is the recipient of the first Spirit Award.

The award recognizes an individual or crew from the EMS community in north central Wisconsin for “the exceptional, compassionate care they deliver to patients daily.” Award recipients are nominated by their peers for their efforts before, during, or after an emergency call.

Palm said she was shocked and honored to be chosen as the first recipient of the award out of all the EMS workers in the region.

“For them to give me this award is just beyond words,” Palm said. “I feel humbled that they chose me.”

In honor of her award, Palm received a plaque, flowers, and a ride in an EMS helicopter. Dozens of community emergency services personnel and Aspirus Riverview Hospital coworkers gathered for the outdoor surprise ceremony, which was held near the hospital on Sept. 21.

The Spirit Award was created to honor those who work in the EMS field and to remember the three victims of the April 2018 Spirit EMS helicopter accident who lost their lives after safely delivering a patient to Madison – Pilot Rico Caruso, Flight Nurse Klint Mitchell, and Flight Paramedic Greg Rosenthal.

The award will be given away annually.