Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Receives Top Awards in State Competition

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services received the Emergency Medical Service of the Year Award last night during the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Awards Banquet that was held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forysth, Georgia.

The Georgia Emergency Medical Service of the Year Award is presented annually by the Georgia Association of Emergency Services to a currently licensed Georgia EMS provider that exemplifies outstanding professionalism and service to the community it serves.   According to the Georgia Association of Emergency Services, the selection of the award recipient is an objective and rather lengthy process.  Twelve EMS providers throughout the state of Georgia were nominated for the award.  Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services received the Northwest Region Award earlier this year.

Dr. Jill Mabley, Medical Director for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services, also received the Charles B. Gillespie Distinguished Georgia EMC Medical Director Award.  This award is presented to the physician to the physician who has served consistently as an Emergency Medical Service Medical Director in a single Georgia Region or community for no less than 5 years and meets the following criteria: the recipient must be a United States Citizen, possess a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and has provided consistent, meritorious service in the science and art of Emergency Medicine clinical and administrative leadership; the recipient must have provided exemplary and exceptional service that benefits and supports the Emergency Medical Technicians, Physician Practitioners and those whom he has or is treating; and, the recipient must have shown continuing dedication to the principles of medical ethics and made outstanding contributions to the community in citizenship and public service above and beyond the call of duty as a practicing physician.

The award is named after Dr. Charles B. Gillespie, who retired in November 1997, after a long and illustrious career in medicine. A graduate of Emory University, he completed a residency in general surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and completed additional post­graduate work in England, Switzerland and Sweden. He obtained fellowships from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. Generally regarded as the" Grandfather of EMS in Georgia," Dr. Gillespie has received numerous awards for his work with the profession including commendations from Governor Jimmy Carter, Governor George Busbee and the Georgia General Assembly. He was the first recipient of the Dr. John B. O'Neal, III EMS Pioneer Award and has also been recognized by numerous organizations including GAEMS, the Medical Association of Georgia, Albany Technical College, Southwest Georgia EMS Directors Association, and Who's Who in America.

Dr. Mabley was honored by being the very first recipient of this prestigious award. Dr. Mabley came to work as the Medical Director of Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services on January 1, 2003.

A large crowd of people attended the Awards Banquet, which was held in the conference hall of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

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