Page 9 - LRCC January 2022 Focus

lansingchamber.org MEMBER NEWS

LCC Graduate Honored as

Chicago Fire Department

Paramedic of the Year

t was July 2020, when Lansing Community College
(LCC) graduate Chris Oswalt was dispatched with
Ihis Emergency Medical Services (EMS) partner and
Chicago police to report a domestic dispute. When they
arrived, a person in the building began firing gunshots
out the window at first responders. Oswalt positioned
his ambulance to provide a protective barrier from
gunfire for the on-scene police and EMS.

During this encounter, an officer was shot in the Oswalt had some advice for current LCC EMS students.
leg. Oswalt and his partner treated the wound and “Stay the course,” he said. "You never know what’s going
transported the officer to the hospital. The event ended to happen or what opportunities you will experience in
with the person accused of firing shots being taken into your professional life.”
custody.
LCC’s EMS Program Director Marvin Helmker made the
As a result of his actions on this call, Oswalt was honored trip to Chicago to attend the award ceremony. “In an
with the Chicago Fire Department Paramedic Award agency with several thousand personnel, six received
for Valor and the Chicago Fire Department Paramedic awards,” said Helmker. “It was great to be there in
of the Year Award. Oswalt is a 2006 graduate of LCC’s person to witness one of our graduates receiving this
Paramedic Program and worked as a paramedic honor.”
in Michigan until he was hired by the Chicago Fire
Department in 2014. LCC is proud of Chris Oswalt and his brave actions. l

New Contract Ratified Between Sparrow Hospital

and PECSH-MNA

embers of the Professional Employee Council • Providing Sparrow caregivers with some of the best
of Sparrow Hospital – Michigan Nurses healthcare benefits in Michigan.
MAssociation (MNA), the union representing • Maintaining Sparrow’s staffing guidelines, which
2,300 Sparrow Hospital caregivers, have approved a are already in line with or better than other
new three-year labor contract. Voting took place Dec. 9 Michigan hospitals, helping ensure their patients
and 10, 2021, and results show approval. receive the best possible care.
• Continuing to focus on the safety of their caregivers
“We are pleased to have secured a new long-term as a priority.
contract covering our hardworking and dedicated
caregivers,” said Amy Brown, chief nursing officer, Sparrow says it plans to build on the momentum
Sparrow Hospital. “We are grateful to all of our that began before these negotiations to recruit and
caregivers for continuing to put our patients and the retain top talent across their units, continue supplying
community first by delivering outstanding care during caregivers with all necessary personal protective
these unprecedented times.” equipment to keep them safe, offer competitive wages
and benefits and implement attendance and staffing
Negotiations for a new contract began on July 28, 2021, policies to ensure caregivers and patients receive the
and both sides participated in 29 bargaining sessions. support they deserve. l
The terms of the new labor agreement include:
• Continuing to provide Sparrow Hospital caregivers
with above-market pay.

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