Diana Woytiuk of Blaine Lake Ambulance Care Ltd was presented with the Stars of Life at a Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Association awards ceremony in Regina.
Lt.-Gov. Vaughn Schofield presented the SEMSA awards May 28.
Diana is co-owner/operator of Blaine Lake Ambulance Care Ltd along with her husband Keith. The couple has provided quality emergency care to Blaine Lake and area residents for 16 years, following predecessor Mike Dutchak who founded the company in 1957.
As a primary care paramedic (PCP), Diana has been actively involved in the emergency medical services (EMS) industry for 18 years. She was nominated by her peers for this award as exhibiting outstanding achievement, dedication and leadership in the EMS industry.
The nomination review panel consider the applications based on the criteria of the nominee's achievements, dedication/service to the EMS service or community, development of a new program or initiative, events above and beyond the call of duty, EMS community volunteer hours and involvement on a provincial or national scale in EMS activities.
Diana demonstrated this through work-related tasks as well as the many countless hours of EMS-related volunteerism. Diana has been actively instructing courses in babysitting skills, and car seat and bus safety. She has had the opportunity to educate community members in CPR, AED and first aid as well as volunteer her emergency medical services at various community and school events.
Diana has exhibited and enhanced her leadership skills with the implementation and instructional aspect of safety and first aid courses. She has demonstrated this skill set through local community involvement as well as in neighbouring EMS districts. Training community members, teachers and other health care professionals as well as EMS colleagues has been a highlight in Diana's career.
Diana's decision to change career paths from an architectural draftsperson to paramedic was encouraged by her desire to assist others following her eldest sister's death to breast cancer.
"Being with my family during that cancer journey awakened within me a desire to help others," explained Diana. "My sister had gone through experimental drug trials and told me that, even though the experimental drugs may not help her, they may help another cancer patient someday, something she never lived to see. That is something I often think about. You never know how you can better someone else's life journey by being there, holding a hand or lending an ear. And if I have the ability to alleviate another's suffering, then I will."
EMS front-line professionals have seen positive changes and advancements within the educational and training aspect of the industry.
"We are trained to a higher level of care," commented Diana, further explaining, "With the institution of the National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP) 2011 the national standard of care at the PCP level enables us to start intravenous lines and administer medications for a diverse set of circumstances."
"Public perception of EMS has also changed," explained Diana. "We are still, on occasion, referred to as 'ambulance drivers', which makes me laugh. If only my job entailed just driving!"
The Saskatchewan College of Paramedics, a self-regulatory body, ensures all practitioners adhere to standardized protocols and procedures across the province as well as the national level.
As a dedicated wife, mother of two teenagers and focused career/business owner, Diana has demonstrated the level of dedication and commitment that leaves her with a sense of societal contribution.
These awards, to some individuals, may seem like a pinnacle of one's career in emergency medical services, but to Diana, it is recognized as a job well done. The acknowledgement of 23 recipients, showcased from across Saskatchewan in different categories, demonstrates how dedicated the Saskatchewan EMS professionals are to their jobs and the lives of others.
"These awards are significant because they showcase the emergency medical services profession," commented Diana, emphasizing EMS professionals are driven by a passion and desire to assist others.
"These awards are the most respected and distinguished awards in a paramedic's career," added Keith.
"But if you ask any EMS practitioner how they feel about recognition, they would say 'I was only doing my job, doing something that I love and gives me fulfillment.' Being recognized in this way reinforces within me, that what I do does make a difference and that members of my chosen profession applaud and appreciate my efforts."
When you take into consideration the challenges incurred by Saskatchewan EMS, especially with the vast geographical land base, served by ground ambulance and its staff, and the sparse population, it becomes evident how dedicated and committed these courageous professionals are.
Blaine Lake and area residents can be proud to have these exemplary professional citizens and business owners among its midst.
