Adventist Health Tillamook held a touching ceremony to honor the valor and dedication of our EMS staff and several partner organizations. This event, led by President Eric Swanson, recognized the exceptional response to the ambulance crash on November 4, 2023.
Cindy Goh, EMT, and Hydee Berger, paramedic, were awarded the “Award of Excellence” for their heroic service. Despite their ambulance being totaled after colliding with another vehicle that had hit a fallen tree, Goh and Berger extricated themselves and immediately attended to others involved in the crash.
President Swanson praised their efforts, “Hydee and Cindy’s actions embody our commitment to compassion and professionalism under the most challenging circumstances.”
We also celebrated Adventist Health Tillamook EMS associates David Arnett, Charles Hert, Theo Blevins, Alex Evans, Andrew Browning, and several collaborating agencies for their critical roles in this incident. “Critical Incident Awards” were presented to Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Tillamook Fire District, Oregon State Police, ODOT Tillamook, Burden’s Muffler & Towing, E&E Auto Body, Pacific West Ambulance, Banks Fire District and Tillamook 9–1–1.
This recognition event underscores Adventist Health Tillamook’s commitment to honoring the dedication and courage of those who tirelessly serve the community, particularly in moments of crisis. It was a poignant reminder of the power of teamwork, skill and compassion in the face of adversity.