Medical staff from Mercy Health — St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital in Youngstown and Sugarcreek Fire and Rescue are the recipients of the 2025 Pediatric Clinical Save Awards from the Ohio Emergency Medical Services for Children (Ohio EMSC) State Partnership Program.
The award, recognizing clinical excellence by EMS responders and emergency departments during pediatric emergencies, was presented at the third annual Ohio EMS for Children Conference on Friday, March 6, in Columbus.
“Emergency medical providers face some of the most challenging moments with unwavering compassion and expertise,” said Julie Leonard, MD, MPH, program director for Ohio EMSC and emergency medicine physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “It’s a privilege to recognize and celebrate their dedication to providing outstanding pediatric emergency care to our communities.”
The award recognizing excellent emergency care by EMS responders was awarded to Sugarcreek Fire and Rescue for efforts responding to a severely injured and unresponsive pediatric patient.
“Receiving the 2025 Pediatric Clinical Save Award is a profound honor for Sugarcreek Fire and Rescue,” said Cody Shetler, FP-C, assistant fire chief with Sugarcreek Fire and Rescue. “It reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, rapid response, and compassionate care when it matters most — especially for our youngest and most vulnerable patients. This recognition belongs to every provider who trains relentlessly and serves this community with heart.”
The award recognizing excellence in emergency care by an emergency department was awarded to Mercy Health — St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for exceptional emergency care provided to a pediatric patient with burn injuries.
“For more than a century, Mercy Health has delivered on its promise to provide compassionate, high-quality health care to everyone, especially the most vulnerable in our communities – and there’s no question that some of our most vulnerable patients are children in need of emergent care. Mercy Health — St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital is committed to elevating pediatric emergency care for the families who trust us in their most critical moments,” said John Reese, MSN, RN, director of emergency services at Mercy Health — St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. “We are deeply honored to receive the 2025 Ohio EMSC Pediatric Clinical Save Award, which is a direct reflection of the preparation, teamwork, clinical excellence and compassion that our physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers and support staff bring to every child and family we serve. Advancing pediatric emergency readiness in our communities is essential to providing safe and effective care to all in need, and Mercy Health is proud to champion this effort.”
Honorees for these awards include:
Sugarcreek Fire and Rescue:
- Chief John Meek
- Assistant Chief Cody Shetler
- EMS Captain Miriam Schlabach
- Lieutenant Jason Beachy
- Paramedic Anja Sherry
- EMT Evan White
- EMT Andrew Frye
- EMT Caleb Meek
- EMT Alex Yoder
- EMT Sheldon Bower
- EMT Bryce Hostetler
- Firefighter Curtis Miller
Mercy Health — St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital:
- Amanda Vega, RN
- Breanne Gillie, MD
- Amy Du, MD
- Allison Mancuso, MD
- Tiffany Marchand, MD
- Anna Plummer, MD
- Angela Reid, RRT
Submissions for 2026 nominations are open through January 8, 2027. Nominations for a prehospital EMS or emergency department for the 2026 Ohio EMSC Pediatric Clinical Save Awards can be submitted online using the Ohio EMSC State Partnership Program's nomination form.