Mercy Hospital honors first responders for life-saving efforts
Ava Martinez has spent over 3 years covering community issues in Buffalo, particularly focusing on social justice initiatives and grassroots movements. With a degree in Sociology from the University at Buffalo, she has a deep understanding of the societal factors impacting local neighborhoods. Ava previously worked as a community organizer before transitioning to journalism.
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First responders who went above and beyond to save lives were recognized Wednesday night during Mercy Hospitals annual EMS Awards Dinner.The event honored emergency medical crews whose quick actions made a difference during life-threatening emergencies, including the rescue of a 34-year-old man found face down in a backyard. For Skip Yuhnke, a paramedic with the Elma Fire Department, the call was a reminder of why he has dedicated nearly five decades to emergency medical services.I got a monitor on him and I gave him one shock, but it took a lot more than that to get him to come around and get pulses and to start breathing again, Yuhnke said.Despite his years of experience, Yuhnke said successfully bringing someone back after cardiac arrest is rare, making calls like this especially meaningful.When you get somebody that comes back and you can actually save them, or you make their life better, or you help them so they do have a better outcome in their life, that's what it's all about to