Monadnock Community Hospital honors EMS providers

On Thursday May 25, Monadnock Community Hospital recognized the region’s emergency medical services (EMS) providers in celebration of National EMS Week, which was from May 21 to 27. 

Providers from Antrim Fire and Ambulance, Dublin Fire Department, Francestown Fire Department, Greenfield Fire Department, Hancock Fire Department, Jaffrey Fire Department, Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance, New Ipswich Fire Department, Peterborough Fire and Rescue, Rindge Fire Department, Souhegan Valley Ambulance and Temple Fire Department attended the event at Monadnock Country Club. Doctors, physician assistants and nurses from the MCH Emergency Department were there as well to celebrate their colleagues and friends.

Cyndee McGuire, president and CEO of Monadnock Community Hospital, recognized the hard work the local EMS providers do every day. She quoted Fred Rogers from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” by saying “Fred Rogers is famous for his advice, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ I look out tonight at a sea of helpers. You are often first on the scene to care for people in their greatest time of need. The dedication you have for our neighbors and loved ones is incredibly admirable and we are lucky to have you all as a part of our MCH family and our community.”

Lauren Morton, a physician assistant and a leader in the MCH Emergency Room, thanked everyone for their efforts and for giving so much of themselves to help the lives of others. She presented the 2023 EMS Lifetime Achievement Award to New Ipswich Fire Chief Meredith Lund.

Lund, who is retiring after over 30 years of service started her career with Souhegan Valley Ambulance Service and later became the first female on the New Ipswich Fire Department team. In 2016, she was voted in as chief, becoming one of only four female fire chiefs in New Hampshire and the first in New Ipswich. In her speech, Lund shared that she is retiring to spend more time with her grandchildren and to travel the country as she continues her work fighting wildfires. She thanked all of her colleagues and friends, some of whom she taught when she was an instructor with the New Hampshire Fire Academy & EMS, while she began her training with others in the early 1990s and has been friends with them ever since.

The annual EMS recognition event was the first one held since 2019, before the pandemic.

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