LifeNet EMT Dean Rush was named the 2019 Star of Life in Hot Springs after his colleagues nominated him for his unsung heroism and dedication to practicing and teaching the profession.
The American Ambulance Association's Stars of Life program celebrates the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession, according to ambulance.org.
Tina Bell, LifeNet's director of marketing, said earning the Star of Life Award is one of the highest awards, if not the highest award, to receive as an EMT. There were only 107 recipients in the country this year.
"It's humbling, it's a great bit of recognition for me, I appreciate it," Rush said. "I don't really like recognition because I'm just doing my job, just trying to help people just like so many medics and EMTs in our company from around the country do, but it's definitely nice to be recognized, and LifeNet does a good job of (giving recognition)."
Rush said the Star of Life Ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., in June, was a fantastic experience that did a great job of rewarding EMTs for their efforts. It gave him the opportunity to share his career success story, but also to speak with senators and congressmen who represent Garland and Hot Spring counties about the importance of passing the Protecting America's First Responders Act (H.R. 2812) -- an act that would, if passed, compensate family members of EMTs if they were to die in the line of service.
Rush said being awarded the Star of Life title is a highlight of his career.
"If my peers will take the time to go through the process to nominate someone for something like this, that means more to me than anything else," Rush said. "All the acrylic and all the medals, that's fantastic, but this means I have the respect from my peers who say 'This guy is out here trying to help people, day in and day out and trying to help people in their career.'"
Rush left a successful career in sales and marketing to pursue a career as a paramedic in 2001 after the catastrophe of 9/11 inspired him to do so. He earned his paramedic certificate from the University of Iowa and went on to work as a paramedic and flight medic in Iowa, New Orleans and Arkansas.
However, he stressed it's not his background as a salesman or his background as an experienced EMT that matters -- he's just trying to be in the middle and help people, wanting to be "that guy people can call anytime."
Rush said one of his favorite parts of being a paramedic is being able to provide care for people in their time of need.
"Not every minute of every day is lights and sirens and death and mayhem. There are times where you have an older person who just needs help and needs a pat on the back," he said.
He currently serves as a field training officer and a fill-in operations manager for Hot Springs' LifeNet division, as well as an instructor in the Paramedic Program at National Park College.
"I've never been a bare-minimal kind of person. No matter what I've done I've always tried to excel and succeed and give back in anything I've done. I just try every day to help people, to help my co-workers. ...," he said. "It's a calling (when) people are asking you to help them."
Rush said he wants to help people move forward in their career, imparting his wisdom, knowledge and experience to them.
"I usually get one or two patients at a time working in the back of an ambulance, but when you get 16 bright minds in a classroom that want to learn and are motivated, to me that's invigorating."
He describes teaching as a butterfly effect.
"If I teach one person and then they teach people, then I've actually taught a lot of people. ... When somebody is able to shed light on things or show a procedure or help them, it makes them a better EMT, a better medic -- it helps them in their career when they can help other people."
Rush said it's important for paramedics to never stop teaching and learning because it's called practicing medicine for a reason, noting you practice so you can do the best you can when you need to perform.
He stressed teaching goes beyond applying the correct medical practice -- teaching the appropriate attitude is also a key to being a successful paramedic.
"We're actually in the customer service business. I come to your house, and you've never met me, and you have to gain that trust within seconds. And people are very astute in reading body language, attitude. You're giving me your 2-year-old kid, and I'm jumping in a moving box taking off. Think about that a minute, there needs to be some education. ... This is not just another job. It is a whole career, mind shift. It is intense, it is difficult, it is frustrating and it is rewarding -- and that's just the first 10 minutes."
Local on 07/07/2019