Gordon EMS honors public servants at annual awards banquet in 2017

Gordon EMS hosted their annual Public Safety Awards celebration on May 22, 2017 at Heritage Baptist Church. Pictured from left to right are: Donald Bowen, Cody Benton, Ellis Payne, Neshanta Printup, Donnie Cochran, and Annette Printup. Not pictured: Nathan Saylors and K-9 Deputy Eros.

Donnie Cochran, pictured right, of the Georgia State Patrol is this years Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award recipient. Pictured left is Kenny Cox.

Each year during National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, Gordon EMS hosts a cook-out celebration to show their appreciation to all local public safety personnel and to present special awards, including the Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award.

This year, the 9th Annual Public Safety Celebration was held at Heritage Baptist Church on Monday, May 22.

"We are always excited to celebrate all of our public safety colleagues each year," said Donald Bowen, deputy director of Gordon EMS, a service of Gordon Hospital.

The Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award was created nine years ago to not only honor the memory and service of Gordon County Ordinance Officer Kathy Cox, who died in an automobile accident on Aug. 21, 2008 while on duty, but to also recognize other public safety officials who share many of her extraordinary values.

Nominations for the award were made by public safety department heads of all disciplines in Calhoun and Gordon County. The nominations were then sent to a panel of unbiased judges.

"We are extremely pleased to present this years Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award to Donnie Cochran of the Georgia State Patrol," Bowen said. Kathys husband, Kenny Cox, joined Bowen in presenting Cochran the award.

Nominees for this years Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award also included Neshanta Printup of the Gordon County E-911, Annette Printup of the Calhoun Police Department, and K-9 Deputy Eros of the Gordon County Sheriffs Office.

Earlier in the award ceremony, Bowen presented the Gordon EMS Above and Beyond Award to Nathan Saylors of the Gordon County Fire Department.

The nominations were first submitted by employees of Gordon EMS in appreciation for their on-scene, above and beyond assistance to them. The nominations were sealed and sent to an unbiased panel of judges for evaluation.

Nominees for the Above and Beyond Award also included Ellis Payne of the Gordon County Fire Department and Cody Benton of the Calhoun Fire Department.

Bowen concluded the award celebration by thanking all public servants for their service to Calhoun, Gordon County, and Gordon Hospital.

Several local businesses and individuals donated prizes for the celebration including: Painted Post, Calhoun Auto Parts, Wal-Mart, Calhoun Antique Mall, Donna's Hallmark, Apache Mills, Jimmy Payne's Coast to Coast, Kacee Smith Agency, 365 on Piedmont, Fair's Garage, Doug Hite, and Ben Miller.

About Gordon Hospital

Founded in 1935, Gordon Hospital is proud to be a member of Adventist Health System. With 45 hospital campuses and more than 8,300 licensed beds in nine states, Adventist Health System is a faith-based healthcare organization headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Florida. A national leader in quality, safety, and patient satisfaction, Adventist Health Systems more than 80,000 employees maintain a tradition of whole-person health by caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of every patient. Each Adventist Health System facility operates independently in delivering care and services to best meet the needs of the local communities they serve. While each entity is unique, all remain united in one mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ.