A veteran paramedic working with National EMS has been honored with the 2012 Georgia Emergency Medical Technician of the Year Award.

Kristine Woodward, a Commander who has worked in Emergency Services for the past 12 years, received the prestigious award during the annual Georgia EMS Awards Banquet, held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth on May 17.

Woodward was recognized not only for her professionalism but also for her volunteer and fund-raising work in the community. She has served as a mentor to dozens of employees and EMS students who have trained in the area, and has been very active in teaching several injury prevention programs to young children. She has also been the recipient of several SAVE awards for her extraordinary efforts in successfully resuscitating patients.

In 2011, Woodward volunteered to help raise money for a fallen Police Officer’s family by participating in various fundraising projects such as Motorcycle Rides, Golf and Baseball tournaments. She has also been actively involved with fundraising for her children’s high school, the hospital’s employee donation program, and routinely takes on the annual departmental responsibility at Christmas of collecting money, gifts, and clothes for families in need.

Woodward was the recipient of the VFW 2872 Gold Medal EMT of the Year Award in 2005, the Rotary Club Community Safety Award in 2005, the Northeast Georgia John Steed EMT of the Year Award in 2008, and the SOAR Emergency Medical Services Medal in 2009.

The EMT of the Year Award, presented annually by the Georgia Association of EMS, is awarded to the individual who “not only does their job, but far exceeds the expectations of their employer and community.”

National EMS Operations Director Robby Atkins said “Kristine’s dedication to EMS and love for her community makes her very deserving to receive this annual prestigious award.”

National EMS is located in Conyers-Rockdale County and Athens-Clarke County.