Baxter Larmon, Ph.D., professor of emergency medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and founding director of the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care, will receive a 2012 Distinguished Service Medal given by the State of California Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority at an awards ceremony to be held in San Francisco on December 5, 2012.
Larmon will receive the medal for his extensive contributions in helping to initiate and advance prehospital medical care in California and the nation. This area encompasses emergency medical care provided by paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, nurses, and physicians in the field.
The annual EMS awards are intended to honor and recognize noteworthy or exceptional acts and service while working as EMS certified or licensed personnel, administrators, trainers, or volunteers within the EMS system. Larmon joins 39 others receiving an EMS Authority award this year.
Under Larmon's direction, the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in emergency medical services education, training, and research. The Center's paramedic program was the first in the country to receive national accreditation in 1970. Under Larmon's leadership since 1999, it continues to have a significant impact on EMS systems today.
As director and co-founder of the Prehospital Care Research Forum at UCLA, Larmon has helped inspire medical professionals to conduct prehospital care research that can help improve and enhance EMS systems. The Forum also provides vital education to the EMS community through seminars and lectures held throughout the country.
The Journal of Emergency Medical Services in 2000 named Larmon as one of the most influential people in the field. During his 35-year career, he has presented at more than 450 conferences nationwide and has held many leadership positions, including serving on the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council and on the founding board of directors of the National Association of EMS Educators.
Larmon continues to focus on advancing EMS systems. A current project involves working with the Los Angeles County EMS Agency to optimize out-of-hospital cardiac resuscitation and improve survival.
-UCLA-
