Vital Link Celebrates Team: EMS Week 2013

In 1973, President Gerald Ford signed the first proclamation establishing EMS Week. Since that time, EMS Week is celebrated every year to recognize the accomplishments of the men and women who dedicate themselves to saving the lives of others and to educating the public about emergency preparedness. This year’s EMS Week theme is, “EMS: One Mission. One Team.”

Vital Link was established in November 1983 as Independence County Emergency Medical Services by concerned citizens and health care professionals who recognized the need for high quality and dependable emergency medical services for Independence County. Looking to the future, Independence County Emergency Medical Services’ name was changed to Vital Link, as it best represented the vital services provided by linking people to other health care providers. Since that time, Vital Link’s service area has been expanded to include Izard and Stone Counties.

According to Vital Link’s Chief Executive Officer, Karen Ryan, “Vital Link exists to provide high quality emergency medical services while treating our clients with dignity as we strive to provide excellent care. Our organization is very fortunate to have EMS employees that strive to meet or exceed the aforementioned Vital Link Mission. Each and every person is doing a wonderful job and I commend them for their daily dedication to provide a vital public service that dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. I feel it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of the entire Vital Link Team.”

Vital Link is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that has provided ambulance services in North Central Arkansas since 1983. Vital Link currently serves Independence, Izard, and Stone Counties. In addition to emergency and medical transportation, Vital Link also offers ambulance service memberships, pre-employment and random employee drug testing, EMS billing services, and emergency vehicle maintenance and repair; contact the Business Office at (870)793-3351 for more information.

Vital Link is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, one of only four CAAS accredited services in Arkansas and one of over one hundred and forty accredited ambulance services in the entire country.

For more information Contact: Laura Garrett

Vital Link • 1033EMS Drive, Batesville, AR • 72501• 870-793-3351• lgarrett@vitallinkems.org