Instructor Gets Statewide Award for Work in EMS
Canandaigua, N.Y. - Kenneth Kelly, general manger of Finger Lakes Ambulance in Clifton Springs and a Finger Lakes Community College adjunct faculty member for the last 11 years, received the EMS Educator of Excellence Award from the New York State EMS Council on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester.
The award was given during the annual conference of the state Health Department’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Kelly was honored for his work establishing the Finger Lakes Community College Paramedic Program, which has graduated 150 paramedics in a four-county, rural area. Prior to the start of the program, advanced life support agencies in Ontario, Wayne, Seneca and Yates counties could only provide critical care, the second-highest level of emergency medicine. Today, more than 90 percent of advanced life support agencies in these four counties provide paramedic care, the highest level.
“I believe that what I receive I must immediately give away, especially knowledge, for the good of mankind. My teaching, my work in emergency medicine is dedicated to that philosophy,” Kelly said.
Kelly began work developing the FLCC Paramedic program in 1996 and served as its director from 1998 to 2008. He continues to be the lead instructor.
“Ken Kelly has been a friend and colleague in EMS for over 30 years. He is a gifted instructor who continually gives to the program and in return expects the same from his students,” said Donna Spink, EMS programs coordinator and paramedic program director for FLCC.
Kelly trained as an emergency medical technician in 1986; he completed critical care training in 1990 and became a paramedic in 1996.
He was named the Educator of the Year by the Ontario County Ambulance and Rescue Association and received the Army Achievement Medal for dedication and outstanding professionalism and the National Defense Ribbon for service during the Vietnam War. He is an honor graduate of the U.S. Army Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, with a medical specialist diploma.
About FLCC:
Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu) is a State University of New York two-year higher education institution. FLCC’s 250-acre park-like campus is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, N.Y. The College offers more than 45 degree and certificate programs, including environmental conservation, ornamental horticulture, music recording technology, nursing, communications, graphic design and tourism management. FLCC’s current enrollment is 6,600 full- and part-time students.