Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA) recently held their annual EMS Awards Reception. During the reception, Houston Healthcare EMS Supervisor Greg Chapman was recognized as the recipient of the Dr. Zeb L. Burrell, Jr. Distinguished Service Award.

The purpose of the Dr. Zeb L. Burrell, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is to reward an individual or organization in the State of Georgia for their outstanding contribution to the development and/or enhancement of the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical care.

Named in honor of Dr. Zeb Burrell, Jr. of Elberton / Athens, the recipient should typify the high ideals, irreproachable character, and extreme unselfish dedication to EMS which was so typical of Dr. Burrell and which makes him one of Georgia’s most outstanding EMS pioneers and leaders.

In 2009, Dr. Burrell was honored for his contributions to the development of Emergency Medical Services in Georgia with an Official Resolution adopted by the Georgia General Assembly, Proclaiming Dr. Burrell as “The Father of Emergency Medical Services” for the State of Georgia.

“Greg was selected for his long-standing career in EMS but also for his recent work in developing our stroke protocols and data analysis processes,” shares David Borghelli, Director of Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Preparedness for Houston Healthcare. “The Georgia Office of EMS and Trauma recognized Greg’s unique data analysis system as a role model for understanding and improving stroke care and has encouraged other EMS providers to use this system to evaluate their monthly data for trends.”

Greg has been employed with Houston Healthcare for 35 years and worked full-time with EMS since the mid-1970s. As a paramedic, Greg is passionate about educating his co-workers and other EMS personnel. He is an active member of the Regional Trauma Advisory Committee, the Houston Healthcare Disaster Committee, the EMS Educational Advisory Committee for Central Georgia Technical College, Chair of the Relationship Committee for Houston Healthcare EMS and Fire Departments, and a long-time active member of the Region 5 EMS Council.

“Greg has a heart for helping people, and it is evident by his work in our department and community,” says Borghelli. “Because of his efforts with our stroke program, Houston Healthcare was selected by the Georgia Coverdell Stroke Program as one of the initial pilot programs for stroke care in Georgia. Greg is a leader and engaged in what’s going on with our patients and co-workers. We are very pleased he was selected for such an honor.”