The American Medical Association has recognized Arlington Fire Chief Don Crowson for his outstanding public service in the advancement of public health.
During a gala banquet in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Crowson was among 10 recipients of the 2017 Dr. Nathan Davis Awards for Outstanding Government Service. These are the highest awards for elected officials and government employees from the nation's largest physician organization.
Crowson, a 34-year veteran with the Arlington Fire Department, was honored in the category Outstanding Career Public Servant at the Local Level. Crowson, who became Fire Chief in 2010, was nominated by Mayor Jeff Williams.
"The recognition by the AMA is an amazing honor and a direct reflection of our team's commitment to public health and wellness in our community. Our team's success comes in from the support of many partners in our community. Together we're making a difference in Arlington," Crowson said. "It's nice to see that our efforts in Arlington are being noticed on national level."
The recognition was for the Arlington Fire Department's Community Paramedic Program, which offers preventative care to select patients in their homes.
The program aims to reduce EMS system demand, generate cost savings for the City, avoid substantial costs for hospitals through a reduction in unnecessary emergency rooms visits and hospital readmissions, and improve the quality of life for our citizens through reduced healthcare costs and improved health and overall well-being.
Voluntary, no cost enrollment, allows specially selected, physician trained Paramedics to make proactive, preventive "house calls" to patients and provide a wide variety of services, including medication reconciliation and in home lab testing. Care is coordinated with physicians who oversee case management of in-home services. Social needs are also assessed and addressed through social service agency connectivity.
Results of the first 90 days included a 911 utilization reduction of 158 unit responses, emergency room visits dropped 60 percent and hospitalizations dropped 85 percent. These reductions resulted in a direct cost avoidance of $361,035 for the partner hospital.
The award, named after the AMA's founding father, recognizes elected and career officials in federal, state or municipal service whose outstanding contributions have promoted the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
"The Nathan Davis Awards gratefully acknowledge the men and women in government service whose significant accomplishments have advanced the well-being of all," said AMA Board Chair Patrice A. Harris, M.D.
Click here to see a full list of Dr. Nathan Davis Awards recipients.
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