WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recently, June 12-13 2018 — Pafford Medical Services’ Mississippi-based, Star of Life, Patrick (Pat) Bankston, paramedic from Coahoma County (Clarksdale), met with Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and her legislative assistant, Doug Davis; Senator Roger F. Wicker’s staff member, Samantha Helton-Elleson; Representative Bernie Thomson, and Representative Gregg Harper’s legislative assistant, Elizabeth Joseph as part of the festivities surrounding the American Ambulance Association's Stars of Life program. The 100 Stars of Life for 2018 were being honored for their service to their communities.

Patrick Bankston’s, June 12 and 13 meetings with Mississippi’s members of Congress were also attended by another Mississippi Star of Life: Jimmy Miller (American Medical Response). The senator and representatives and/or their staff members thanked each "Star" for their service to Mississippi's citizens, learned about the particular reasons each one was nominated and were invited to "ride-along" with any of the services represented when they visit their Mississippi districts so they might witness firsthand the critical role played by the state's EMS providers.

During the meeting, Bankston was congratulated for demonstrating a true commitment to his patients and keeping the lines of communication open to patients’ family members — often making sure patients are doing well days after the call. He was also lauded for being a “can-do” medic who’s always willing to help around the station no matter the task, and for providing optimum service to patients, leading by example and supporting his coworkers in their quest to offer the finest care. The group also discussed the need for the current federal “public safety officer” benefit to also apply to municipally-contracted private ambulance EMS professionals’ families who lose their loved ones due to a line of duty death.

“We’re so proud of Pat and delighted that his exemplary service has been honored on such a grand stage,” said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, CEO of Pafford Medical Services and chairperson for the American Ambulance Association’s Government Affairs Committee. Pafford-Gresham accompanied Bankston to his meetings, along with Rebecca Williamson, Chief Compliance Officer for Pafford Medical Services and chairperson for the American Ambulance Association's Medicare Regulatory Committee.

About Pafford Medical Services

Pafford Medical Services, Inc. is a 51- year-old and closely held family business offering air and ground ambulance services in Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

About the Stars of Life Program

The Stars of Life Program is an annual event recognizing the country's most exemplary paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) and EMS support personnel by their companies and the American Ambulance Association (AAA), the primary trade association of ground ambulance service suppliers and providers in the U.S. The AAA was formed in 1979 in response to the need for improvements in medical transportation and emergency medical services. It represents hundreds of ambulance service suppliers and providers across the U.S. that provide emergency and non-emergency ambulance services to more than 75 percent of the U.S. population. The AAA serves as the leading voice and clearinghouse for ambulance services, and views prehospital care not only as a public service but also as an essential part of the total public healthcare system.

paffordems.com.