Paramedic Christopher Fogarty of Sunstar Paramedics received the 2016 Commissioner Morroni Award of Excellence in EMS at the 21st annual Appreciation Luncheon for Emergency Personnel.
Fogarty was recognized for his quick thinking and quality care for Clearwater resident Nicholas Smith who went into cardiac arrest in his home. Fogarty identified that Smith had a rare heart arrhythmia. Due to his quick actions Christopher was able to restore Smith’s heart to its normal rhythm by administering the drug- magnesium sulfate . His patient has since returned to full health and a new perspective on community CPR.
“The patient had less than a one percent chance of survival, and Chris’ quick thinking on diagnosis and treatment led to the patient’s survival and recovery,” said Sunstar Paramedics chief operating officer Mark Postma. “Chris is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to each patient, and we’re pleased that has been recognized by Pinellas County for his service.”
Fogarty ‘s father worked as an EMS chief for the Clearwater Fire Department while Chris was growing up, so EMS was a natural fit for him. Christopher started his career with Sunstar Paramedics in 2005 as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and became a paramedic in 2012.
Chris’s father, James Fogarty and patient Nicholas Smith attended the luncheon on April 8, 2016 that honored Chris and other Pinellas County’s emergency service providers.
