PRESS RELEASE
CARLSBAD, Calif. — The James O. Page Legacy Scholarship, endowed by Hartwell Medical, in partnership with the Fitch EMS Foundation, is open to any aspiring EMS leader interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills to lead EMS systems now and in the future. Named for the late James O. Page, considered to be the father of modern EMS, the Legacy Scholarship offers selected individuals an extraordinary mentorship opportunity to further his or her leadership skills with expertise and knowledge that will last a lifetime.
Jim Page devoted his entire life to serving others, as a fire chief, state EMS director, attorney and more. He was a technical advisor to the TV show “Emergency” and even wrote some of the scripts. In 1980 he created JEMS, The Journal of Emergency Medical Services, called the “conscience” of EMS by the National Association of EMTs. Jim’s legacy of advocacy for excellence in patient care and public service continues after his death through the many tens of thousands of lives he reached through his articles, speeches, books, videos and personal mentorships.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this unique and life-changing learning opportunity,” said Gary Williams, President of Hartwell Medical. “This mentorship program goes beyond the recognition of receiving a distinguished award and provides the recipient with one-on-one sessions that are meant to explore the ethics, values and level of commitment evident in highly successful leaders that are destined to always put the patient first – a hallmark of Jim’s legacy.
The scholarship recipient receives free registration and travel expenses to the 2025 Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum, hosted by Fitch & Associates. The core of the scholarship is a structured six-part mentorship program, facilitated by Jay Fitch, PhD, co-founder of the firm named after him and well-known speaker, author and educator. Jay was also mentored by Jim Page as a young manager of an ambulance service and collaborated with him on a variety of projects.
The mentorship, which begins at Pinnacle, will tackle tough leadership questions over the course of six months, such as ethical decision-making, effective communication skills, and the use of personal vs. positional power.
The first recipient John Ehrhart, flight paramedic for Mercy Air (Air Methods) in Southern California and co-founder of the California Paramedic Foundation, shared his thoughts.
“It’s just a different way of looking at your work and learning how to lead people. It also provides an opportunity to connect with people you might not have had the chance to network with before and to learn from their perspectives on how they have affected change. It’s a very powerful experience for anyone looking to work on high impact projects.”
Nominations for the 2025 James O. Page Legacy Scholarship endowed by Hartwell Medical will be accepted through March 15, 2025. To apply contact Hannah Fitch, hannahf@fitchemsfoundation.org
About Hartwell Medical
For over 35 years, Hartwell Medical has offered innovative product design, quality craftsmanship, and exceptional customer service. Products include vacuum splinting, airway management, and immobilization devices designed to meet the new (SMR) spinal motion restriction protocols. Products have been subjected to real-life field tests and are designed and tested to meet the highest clinical standards and protocols.
About the Fitch EMS Foundation
The Foundation was created by the EMS consulting firm Fitch & Associates who believe the future of the EMS profession requires the aggressive development of its future leaders. By providing scholarships, the Foundation opens the door to a community of high-performing emerging leaders who need a helping hand for a national perspective.
About the Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum
Now in its 20th year, Pinnacle is the only leadership-focused national meeting that serves all EMS service models. Always located in a retreat-like setting, the conference is renowned for its networking, mentoring, and cutting-edge program. The 2025 Pinnacle will be at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Phoenix, July 14-18, 2025.