May 19, 1999

SPRINGFIELD, IL - A Chicago hospital's emergency medical services coordinator, a Streamwood Police Department officer and a Chicago Fire Department engine and ambulance company have been selected as the first recipients of the Ron W. Lee, M.D., Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards.

Presented by the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program, the awards are given in recognition of excellence to individuals dedicated to pediatric emergency care and children injury prevention initiatives. EMSC is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Loyola University Medical Center.

Those selected for this year's awards are -

• Peter Lazzara, emergency medical services (EMS) coordinator for Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago;
• Eugene Richardson, a Streamwood police officer; and
• Chicago Fire Department Engine Company 16 and Ambulance 35, 4005 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.

Lazzara, a paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department in addition to his position at Children's Memorial, initiated an ambulance "ride-a-long" program for emergency department physicians, residents and nurses; began a pediatric pre-hospital training program for paramedics; developed and incorporated the role of the emergency department paramedic into the hospital's emergency department patient care team; and established Children's Memorial as a Chicago EMS System-approved clinical site for paramedic and emergency medical technician continuing education.

Richardson developed and implemented many programs in Streamwood related to pediatric injury prevention. These included starting a traffic safety poster and coloring contest; educating kids about bicycle safety laws and wearing proper safety equipment; conducting car seat, child restraint and seat belt demonstrations; supporting city-wide efforts to make pedestrian crosswalks safer for children; giving lectures on traffic safety to school children and scouting groups; promoting seat belt, child passenger seat and air bag safety; holding driving-under-the-influence awareness programs for driver education students at Streamwood High School; and promoting seat belt use among high school students.

Engine Company 16 and Ambulance 35 started several programs for children on Chicago's South Side. They included an attendance program that rewards kids for perfect attendance, an achievement program for good grades, collection of clothes that are made available to neighborhood parents to help meet their needs, donation of books to a school library and an after-school program in which the firefighters/paramedics tutor children and teach them personal hygiene.

The Ron W. Lee, M.D., Excellence in Pediatric Care Award is to be presented annually each May as part of Emergency Medical Services Week. Dr. Lee, who died suddenly in March 1998, was instrumental in establishing and fostering the EMSC program in Illinois. He was the emergency department medical director at Loyola University Medical Center.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments