Each May during National Emergency Medical Services Week, Rob Dowling, Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point Emergency Medical Services Academy director, continues a tradition of hosting an appreciation luncheon-cookout for area first-responders and hospital staff in honor of their services and teamwork. At this year’s event on May 22, Steve Jacobs and Scott Arnold, both of whom are assistant Valparaiso fire chiefs, served as chefs for the day. EMS Academy medical director Stevan Vuckovic, D.O., who also is a hospital Emergency Department physician, stands with the group. The academy that day also presented achievement awards to paramedics who recently have retired and included Gary Gail, Dean Leubke and George Pyle, all of whom retired from Crown Point Fire and Rescue Department and had a combined total of more than 90 years in the profession. A new Paramedic of the Year Award, given in honor of the late Mike Abramson, who formerly was employed part-time in the Franciscan St. Anthony Health Emergency Department and full-time with Tri-Creek Emergency Medical Services, was presented to Corey Myers, of Newton County Emergency Medical Services.