Base Hospital program takes first place

Representing Canada, the Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program at London Health Sciences Centre took first place in an international championship of emergency medical service (EMS) paramedics, which included 45 teams from 15 countries and was held from June 6 to 9 in the Carmel and Gilboa regions of Israel.

With temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius, the competition included 12 full-scale clinical and non-clinical simulations over two days, the purpose of which was to provide an opportunity for countries around the world to learn from each other on best practices for paramedic training, education and pre-hospital emergency care.

Additionally, the win identified the Base Hospital team as the best in the world at the advanced level of pre-hospital care.

Congratulations are extended to the team members: Jeff Conway, advanced care paramedic, London-Middlesex; Dwayne Cottel, advanced care paramedic and regional paramedic educator, Base Hospital; Dr. Yaniv Berliner, LHSC emergency physician, and Severo Rodriguez, program manager, Base Hospital.

Says Rodiguez, “It was a privilege to represent our communities and country. To hear the Canadian national anthem played in honour of our victory was the thrill of a lifetime for team members.”