Paramedic 'humbled' after receiving prestigious award

Advanced care paramedic Brad Roney hopes he possesses some of the same qualities Léonce Seguin exemplified.

Having won this year's Léonce Seguin Memorial Award, it would seem Roney does indeed possess many of the same characteristics.

The award is handed out to a paramedic who demonstrates dedication to the profession, a commitment to the growth of his knowledge base and an adherence to a high level of personal deportment.

Roney said he is “humbled” by winning the award.

“To be selected by your peers from a group of colleagues is something special,” he said.

Being a paramedic is a job that's different from your typical 9-5 job, Roney said.

“It's different than hospital work and other health-care work, too. The environment in which we see our patients is what really sets up apart, and I think it's that varying environment is what many paramedics like the most.”

Roney is father to three young boys, Brandon, Carter and Andrew. His wife, Melissa, is also an advanced care paramedic and platoon trainer with Greater Sudbury EMS.

After completing the paramedic program at Centennial College, Roney obtained a bachelor's degree in science from Western University with a major in biology.

He completed his advanced care paramedic course at Michener Institute in Toronto in 2002 and went on to obtain his advanced care flight bridge and critical care flight paramedic certification with the Ontario Base Hospital Program in 2003.

Roney began his career as a paramedic in 1998 with the Sudbury and District Ambulance. He has been with the City of Greater Sudbury Emergency Medical Services for the past 13 years.

The Léonce Seguin Memorial Award was created in 2005 to pay tribute to a highly committed, motivated and skilled advanced care paramedic with the City of Greater Sudbury.

Seguin was a role model for his profession, said the city in a news release. He died of cancer at the age of 34, but up until that point, he remained dedicated to the pursuit of higher knowledge and professional excellence.

Roney received his award on Wednesday, after Mayor Marianne Matichuk proclaimed the week of May 19-25 as EMS Week.