Horizon Health EMS Awarded for Exceptional Service

Dr. John Aguilar, Carle Regional EMS medical director (second from left), presents a Challenge Coin to Horizon Health Paramedic Morgan Latoz for her exceptional service. Also pictured are Samantha McCarty, Horizon Health emergency services director, and Adam Webb, Horizon Health EMS manager. Photo submitted by Horizon Health

For Immediate Release – Monday, April 29, 2024

Horizon Health EMS Awarded for Exceptional Service

(Paris, IL)—A Horizon Health ambulance crew wasn’t expecting kudos when they responded to a call of a choking victim earlier this year. But unbeknown to them, a special award would follow for their exceptional service.

Paramedic Morgan Latoz and Trevan Land, emergency medical technician, recently received a Challenge Coin from Carle Regional Emergency Medical Services (CREMS), which includes Horizon Health.

The Challenge Coin is a national recognition program that began in the US military and was expanded to include civilian emergency responders. Each coin is customized, with a special version designed for EMS.

Dr. John Aguilar, Carle Regional EMS medical director (second from left), presents a Challenge Coin to Horizon Health’s Trevan Land, emergency medical technician, for his exceptional service. Also pictured are Samantha McCarty, Horizon Health emergency services director, and Adam Webb, Horizon Health EMS manager. Photo submitted by Horizon Health

Morgan and Trevan were selected from 1,400 emergency responders in CREMS, which is one of 11 EMS regions in Illinois. Five Challenge Coins are given monthly to responders in CREMS.

“It’s a great honor,” said Samatha McCarty, Horizon Health emergency services director. “Of all EMS entities – flight, transport, and non-transport – it shows outstanding patient care with a good outcome.”

Dr. John Aguilar, Carle Regional EMS medical director, said Challenge Coin is equivalent to the DAISY Award, a national recognition program for extraordinary nurses.

“The idea is to celebrate our successes in the EMS system that demonstrate exceptional patient care,” he added.