Life Saver

It took Jon McMahan almost 15 years to become the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians' paramedic of the year. But his passion for saving lives was evident to some during his first week on the job.

"He was a new firefighter and I was captain at the time," Conway Fire Chief Bart Castleberry said. "Part of my duties then was physical fitness for the new recruits. We were running the track over by Hendrix when a call came in about a child being hit by a car. We jumped in the pickup to respond and there was a three-year-old child who had stepped out on to the highway. Jon immediately went to work. During the time he was working she stopped breathing and her heart stopped beating. Jon did mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions. That little girl is 15 years old today."

McMahan received the award during a ceremony at Conway Regional Medical Center's holiday party Thursday. NAEMT Secretary Pat Moore, who is also part of the Conway Regional Emergency Response Team, praised McMahan for his dedication and versatility.

"Many of you in this room have either been a student of Jon's, a student with him or his partner," Moore said. "I can tell you that he excels at all three of those. It is a distinct honor and privilege that I present Jon H. McMahan as the paramedic of the year."

McMahan said he was still in shock since hearing the news of the honor. He said what really inspires him is the fact that he still loves every part of his job.

"That's just it," he said. "I like going to work. I like being in the classroom. I like riding in the back of the ambulance. I've had a lot of partners in the past who have won national awards. I think that's the key. They all had that too."

McMahan added that the award has special significance this year because of all the attention that has been given to the work of emergency personnel since the events of Sept. 11.

"It's an honor just to be associated with all the EMS professionals and the firefighters," he said. "It's always been an honor and it seems like the public is really seeing that now. I've had phone calls from total strangers saying congratulations. It's made the entire profession proud."

McMahan also wanted to use the award as an opportunity to pay tribute to his colleagues everywhere.

"Anybody who makes a living responding to 911 calls, they all deserve an award every day," he said. "They're my heroes. They're the people I look up to. It's an honor to be associated with them every day."

Those who work with McMahan every day returned the feeling of honor. Castleberry said that McMahan has brought pride to the entire fire department through his work.

"He brings a lot to the Conway Fire Department," Castleberry said. "He's an excellent paramedic. We have people with a hurt child who ask for Jon by name because he's that good. If anyone's deserving of this honor is Jon. I'd put him up against anybody."

Emergency Response Team Director Leslie Moore agreed that McMahan was clearly deserving of the honor.

"Jon's just a fantastic paramedic," she said. "The best way I know to describe it is that it' snot a job to him. It's a lifestyle. He loves what he does. I can't think of anybody who deserves this award any more than Jon does."

McMahan is the second paramedic from Conway Regional Medical Center to win NAEMT's paramedic of the year award. Conway Regional CEO John Robbins said that McMahan's efforts are a reflection of the level of medical care throughout the hospital.

"Jon is an example of the high quality of health care services we have in Conway," Robbins said. "He's very deserving of this award. He and many other people dedicate their lives to providing health care services to the people of Conway."

Mayor Tab Townsell also said that McMahan's work was a tribute to the city, but that McMahan should also enjoy the honor for himself and take personal pride in it.

"This is a tremendous honor for Jon personally," Townsell said. "But I think it's a great reflection on the program we have here. As with anything, if you surround yourself with great people you'll get better. The citizens of Conway can be thankful that they have a group of dedicated professionals."