TCHC paramedic presented Star of Life award

The Minnesota Ambulance Association honored Renee Miller, a paramedic with Tri-County Health Care’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with a Star of Life award at its annual award ceremony on March 20. The award recognizes ambulance professionals who made significant contributions in service to their communities or the EMS profession. Miller was one of 18 EMS members who received the 2018 award, and she is only the second EMS member at Tri-County to receive this award.

Miller has worked at Tri-County for the past five years. She began as an EMT and then completed paramedic school in the summer of 2016. Prior to Miller taking over as EMS education coordinator in 2016, the education department’s reach was limited. After Miller’s networking and restructuring, Tri-County’s EMS education now provides training to 11 first responder groups and two basic life support (BLS) transporting ambulance services.

“Thanks to Renee’s efforts, we now have a very viable education department that provides top-notch training and education to EMS providers,” said Mike Ittner, EMS manager. “Renee is a constant source of positive energy for us, and she is a strong advocate for improved education, up-to-date equipment and enhanced personal skills. Nominating her for this award was my way of saying, ‘Thanks for everything you’ve done.’”

Miller’s accomplishments with the EMS education department include successfully establishing EMT training with four graduating classes and a 90-percent pass rate, as well as creating a program to ensure all new hires are provided high-quality training upon entry into the EMS department. She has also been approached by larger EMS services to provide their education. And most recently, Miller helped another BLS ambulance service launch its own education department. Miller is currently pursuing community paramedic certification.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award,” Miller said. “However, I could not have achieved all of this without the support and encouragement from my boss and the educators that help me out.”

ABOUT TRI-COUNTY HEALTH CARE

Tri-County Health Care is a private, not-for-profit health care system located in Wadena, Minnesota. It offers care services such as minimally invasive surgery, cancer care, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics and rehabilitation. Tri-County operates a 25-bed hospital and medical clinic in Wadena, as well as six satellite clinics and three physical therapy clinics across Todd, Wadena and Otter Tail counties. Satellite clinic locations include Henning, Bertha, Ottertail, Sebeka, Verndale and Baxter. Visit TCHC.org.