Submitted by the San Juan County Public Hospital District 1.

Lainey Volk was nominated and chosen for the “2022 EMS World/Dynarex EMS Caring Award,” which is given to EMS professionals who show outstanding dedication to their community. This award is nationally recognized at the EMS World convention taking place this year on October 10th, 2022, in Orlando, Florida.

Lainey Volk has served the San Juan Island Community as a member of San Juan Island EMS for over 32 years. She is currently the Director of Outreach and Community Paramedicine. Many members of the community may recognize her from the CPR, First Aid, and Basic Life Support (BLS) courses she teaches to the public at reduced rates through San Juan Island EMS. Volk’s dedication to healthcare education plays a large role in the reason why San Juan County has one of the highest saves rates from cardiac arrest in the nation.

In addition to the educational courses Volk offers the public, she also directs the Community Paramedicine section of San Juan Island EMS, which works with vulnerable community members to provide care coordination, injury prevention, and follow-up visits. Community Paramedicine provides grab bars, safety poles, medication dispensers, walkers, and car seats to members of the public.

T. J. Bishop, Assistant Chief of Operations and Training, nominated Lainey Volk for the EMS Caring Award. Bishop noted that, “She has trained thousands of health care professionals and community members, [and] indirectly contributed to saving countless lives in the San Juan Islands due to her love of community service and servant leadership.”

Congratulations, Lainey, on your well-deserved recognition. Volk, along with two other members of San Juan Island EMS, will be traveling to the EMS World Expo in October to attend the event. Volk will receive her award in person, with all travel expenses paid for by EMS World.

San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 currently operates the San Juan Island EMS and Village at the Harbor. The District pays a large subsidy to support PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center.