By Laura French
BEDFORD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Ambulance Association hosted the 2nd annual Convoy of Champions on Tuesday to mark EMS Week, which concluded with the state’s inaugural Stars of Life awards ceremony.
The parade of dozens of ambulances traveled from UMass Medical Science Park in Worcester to the Boston MedFlight hangar in Bedford, where the first-ever Massachusetts Stars of Life awards ceremony was conducted, according to a press release.
The Stars of Life event honored exemplary EMS professionals with medallions in recognition of their service.
“The Massachusetts Stars of Life program showcases the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession in our state,” the Massachusetts Ambulance Association said in a statement. “The program recognizes the dedication of these heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our health care infrastructure, especially in the face of the crucial role that mobile healthcare has provided in COVID-19 testing and vaccination.”
Speakers at the event included Massachusetts Ambulance Association President Dennis Cataldo, Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes and 2021 Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians ER Physician of the Year Dr. Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham Hospital. U.S. Senator Edward Markey and Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito appeared via video to congratulate the honorees.
A full list of honorees for the first Massachusetts Stars of Life ceremony can be found on the Massachusetts Ambulance Association website.
The first Convoy of Champions was held during EMS Week last year, during which more than 50 ambulances from across Massachusetts traveled to Fenway Park for a ceremony honoring their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants in last year’s parade included the Boston Red Sox and then-Mayor Marty Walsh.
https://www.facebook.com/CataldoEMS/photos/a.10151315870001637/10156901128391637/?type=3