Riderwood EMS Team Receives Star of Life Award in Geriatrics

Riderwood, the Erickson Living retirement community, received the Star of Life Award in Geriatrics from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS).

The state agency’s presentation to the Riderwood Emergency Medical Services team was held May 21 at the Miller Senator Office Building in Annapolis.

The recognition was given “for providing high quality care for Maryland’s geriatric population through effective institutional policies, outreach in the community, health & well-being and training staff in administering basic first aid.”

Anthony Fowler, Senior Services Manager for Security, and Steven Hoffman, Senior EMS Paramedic, attended the ceremony.

“On behalf of Riderwood, it is an honor to receive this recognition from MIEMSS,” stated Mr. Fowler.  “We are particularly proud of the daily coordination that goes into serving our residents.”

The Security/ EMS Team at Riderwood is composed of forty-five (45) employees in positions ranging from dispatcher, security officer and paramedic, many of whom have professional and volunteer fire department experience.  They provide 24-7 emergency medical and transport services to 2,500 residents.

Dr. Eugenio Machado, MD has served as the Medical Director of Riderwood for ten years; he has practiced medicine in Maryland since 1979. 

He noted that the “synchronization between the EMS team and physicians in the Riderwood Medical Center and access to electronic medical records is part of the integrated health system that residents enjoy.  Those partnerships enhance preventive care and can actually eliminate some non-emergency trips to area hospitals.”

Each resident also has multiple emergency pull cords in their apartment homes.  Mr. Fowler noted that the average response time is under four minutes, a testimony to the responsiveness of the team in covering a 120-acre campus.

“Training is a vital part of our operations.  Our dispatchers receive the same preparation as 911 operators, and our responders take continuing education and monthly courses to satisfy state requirements,” said Mr. Fowler.

With its own ambulance team, Riderwood Security/EMS averages sixty to seventy emergency and non-emergency transports per month to medical facilities in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.

The team also coordinates pro-active wellness programs for residents such as blood pressure screenings.

About Jeff Getek

Jeff Getek is the public affairs manager for Riderwood, the Erickson Living retirement community in Silver Spring. He authors the blog The Journey On on MyMCMedia.

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