On October 13 2009, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Poland, Ms. Ewa Kopacz, granted the first Awards of Bl. Gerard in recognition of the activities of emergency medical services (EMS). Bl. Gerard, the founder of our Order, was chosen as the patron because of his historical contributions toward establishing medical services. The awards from the Minister of Health are in recognition of the day-to-day efforts by EMS in saving people’s health and lives.
The following were recognized for exceptional achievements in emergency medical services:
·         In the category “Supporting individuals and organizations” – Msgr. Henryk Błaszczyk, chaplain of emergency medical services;
·         In the category “Managing EMS” – Dr. Robert Gałązkowski, Director of the Airborne Medical Services, one of the more significant organizations in the EMS system, who embarked on his medical journey as a basic paramedic;
·         In the category “Physician, Nurse, Paramedic” – Dr. Andrzej Nabzdyk, physician and social activist, member of a medical helicopter crew, who crashed flying to treat victims of a highway accident near Wrocław.
The awards were presented in Szczecin, on the designated Day of Emergency Medical Services, which coincides with the liturgical commemoration of Bl. Gerard, the founder and first Grand Master of the Order of Hospitallers of St. John.