Mohawk Ambulance Service Crew Members Meet with Sen. Charles E. Schumer While Attending Stars of Life Event in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mohawk Ambulance Service crew members David Battaglia and Julia Westcott were among several EMS providers from New York State to meet with Sen. Charles E. Schumer during the American Ambulance Association’s (AAA) annual Stars of Life event in Washington, DC.

Battaglia, an EMT & Driver Training Officer and Westcott, and EMT & Field Training Officer were among four Mohawk Ambulance crew members to be honored with a Star of Life Medal this year. Chief Supervisor John Large and Chief Supervisor, Communications & EMT Adam Nato were also selected to receive the award. The four award recipients join 17 other Mohawk Ambulance servicemen and women who have been honored with the Star of Life medal.

At the meeting, Battaglia presented Sen. Schumer with a Legislative Recognition Award on behalf of AAA. The award recognizes the Senator’s dedication to issues of importance to ambulance providers.

AAA represents hundreds of ambulance services across the United States which provide emergency and non-emergency care and medical transportation to more than 75 percent of the U.S. population. The Association’s annual Stars of Life awards publicly recognize and celebrate the achievements of its members.

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Four Mohawk Ambulance Service Employees Honored with Stars of Life Awards

Mohawk Ambulance Service is proud to announce that four of its crew members are being honored by the American Ambulance Association (AAA) with a Star of Life medal, the highest award that an emergency medical service worker can receive. They are:

John Large, Chief SupervisorMohawk Stars of Life 2019-1
Adam Nato, Chief Supervisor, Communications & EMT
Julia Westcott, EMT & Field Training Officer
David Battaglia, EMT & Driver Training Officer

The four will be among 100 EMS workers from around the country to receive the recognition at the Association’s 20th annual event held in Washington, D.C. next month.

Large began his EMT career as an explorer with Mohawk Ambulance at the age of 13, and has now been with the company for 31 years. In addition to his work as an EMT, he has also been a volunteer firefighter and officer for 38 years. Large is known by his peers to be dedicated, committed, hardworking, professional, and kind. He has devoted his life to public service in EMS and as a volunteer firefighter. John has earned the utmost respect from Mohawk’s employees, our volunteer and municipal fire departments, and his patients alike.

Nato began his career in EMS volunteering with Castleton Fire/Ambulance where he acquired his EMT card in 2009. He was hired at Mohawk Ambulance Service in December of 2016 as a Dispatcher, and soon began working regularly as an EMT. His continuous dedication and professionalism quickly landed him a position as Supervisor, and soon after, Chief Supervisor. Nato still volunteers in his free time, but now with Defreestville Fire Department which is close to his home. He received the company’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017.

Westcott joined Mohawk as an EMT-B at age 20, and now also serves as a Field Training Officer for new hires and students at Mohawk Ambulance Service. Julia has certifications as an EMT-B and in CPR, as well as certifications for Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy. She also has a Health Studies Certificate from SUNY Schenectady, an associate degree in applied science in medical assisting from Bryant & Stratton College, a year of undergraduate education in Psychology from St. Rose College, and is currently a year into an associate degree in nursing at Maria College. She was a recipient of the company’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017 and 2018.

Battaglia joined the company in 2017, but his career as a first responder dates back to 2012 when he began volunteering with his hometown fire department, Niskayuna Fire District 2. At the start of 2019, David took on the additional role of Driver Trainer, working with new hires to set forth expectations of what it truly means to be a mobile healthcare professional. Last year, David was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from Mohawk Ambulance. He notes that the nomination from his peers to receive the Star of Life has been his greatest professional accomplishment thus far.

“Julia, John, Adam and David, like many other of our crew members, have proven to be exceptional leaders and role models. Each has become invaluable members of our family,” said James P. McPartlon III, president of Mohawk Ambulance Service. “We are extremely proud of both of them and congratulate them on this special recognition and achievement.”

The four award recipients join 17 other Mohawk Ambulance servicemen and women who have been honored with the Star of Life medal.  AAA represents hundreds of ambulance services across the United States which provide emergency and non-emergency care and medical transportation to more than 75 percent of the U.S. population. The Association’s annual Stars of Life awards publicly recognize and celebrate the achievements of its members.