SCEMSA Awards & Recognition

The South Carolina EMS Awards honor individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on emergency medical services at the community, state, or national levels. These awards recognize excellence in patient care, leadership, education, advocacy, and system development, celebrating the dedication and contributions of those who advance EMS in South Carolina.

The Debbie Hession Awards Ceremony

The Debbie Hession Awards Ceremony is the signature event where these prestigious awards are presented. Named in honor of Debbie Hession, a dedicated advocate for EMS, this ceremony brings together professionals from across the state to celebrate achievements in the field. The event serves as a tribute to those who demonstrate outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to EMS.

Award Categories

Awards are presented across multiple categories, recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to EMS:

• EMT of the Year Award – Recognizes an EMT who has made a significant impact on EMS through their role in patient care and service.
• AEMT of the Year Award – Honors an Advanced EMT who has demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to the field.
• Paramedic of the Year Award – Awarded to a paramedic who has shown excellence in patient care and contributions to EMS.
• Jack Niles Educator of the Year Award – Recognizes an EMS educator who has made outstanding contributions to training and workforce development.
• Albert Futrell Director of the Year Award – Honors an EMS director for leadership and significant contributions to service improvement.
• Robert D. Lesslie, MD Medical Control Physician of the Year Award – Recognizes a medical control physician who has played a vital role in advancing EMS.
• Emergency Nurse of the Year Award – Awarded to a registered nurse who has made significant contributions to EMS.
• EMS Telecommunicator of the Year Award – Recognizes a dispatcher who has excelled in supporting EMS operations.
• Small System of the Year Award – Honors an ambulance service with fewer than 12,000 calls annually for outstanding professionalism and service to its community.
• Large System of the Year Award – Recognizes an ambulance service with more than 12,000 calls annually for excellence in service and community engagement.
• Dedication to Service Award – Recognizes individuals in non-clinical EMS roles, such as pilots, law enforcement, or administrative staff, for their contributions to EMS operations.
• Warren D. McBride Lifetime Achievement Award – Honors an individual for a long-term commitment to improving EMS in South Carolina.
• H. Dean Douglas South Carolina EMS Advocate of the Year Award – Recognizes those who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy efforts to support and advance EMS.

• Curtis P. Artz Award - given out by Lowcountry Regional EMS Council - recognizes extraordinary prehospital medical performance. The nominee’s actions must directly relate to their role as an emergency medical professional, exceed normal expectations for someone with similar training, and involve a deliberate, well-assessed acceptance of necessary risk to provide urgently needed care. Eligibility includes all levels of prehospital providers, telecommunicators, nurses, and physicians working in a prehospital setting. 

The Debbie Hession Awards Ceremony serves as a moment to reflect on the dedication, resilience, and service of EMS professionals and to celebrate their lasting contributions to the field.