ABOVE VIDEO: Named 2015’s Emergency Medical Services Educator of the Year by the Florida Department of Health, David Schmitt is supervisor and lead instructor at the Health First Training Center.
During his long career, David Schmitt has saved thousands of lives.
Named 2015’s Emergency Medical Services Educator of the Year by the Florida Department of Health, Schmitt is supervisor and lead instructor at the Health First Training Center, where he supervises a team of more than 70 instructors who provides life support training for more than 5,000 students a year on subjects such as CPR, First Aid, AED training, advanced cardiac life support and EMT and paramedic refresher courses.
Through Schmitt’s efforts, Brevard’s first responders have the necessary expertise to make the difference between life and death during medical emergencies of all types.
HEALTH FIRST CPR DAY
Schmitt joined Health First in 2000 as a paramedic in the Emergency Department and Trauma Center at Holmes Regional Medical Center.
He also worked at the Emergency Department at Wuesthoff Medical Center Rockledge and served as EMS, Emergency and Critical Care Educator for the hospital system.
In 2009, Schmitt played a critical role in providing life-saving CPR training to the community at large.
“Our thought was that if we provided free and fun CPR training to anyone who attended, we could more than double the chances of survival for victims of out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest,” said Schmitt.
In its first year, the Health First Free CPR Day Schmitt orchestrated drew 175 persons. Since then, the event held at Space Coast Stadium has drawn increasingly larger numbers of attendees. This past June, more than 5,000 people participated in the training.
BATTLEFIELD LESSONS
Schmitt, a veteran of the United States Army, put lessons learned on the battlefield to practical use in his design and delivery of Tactical Medical Casualty Care training to more than 700 law enforcement officers with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Cocoa Police Department and the Melbourne Police Department.
The realistic training placed officers in high stress scenarios, such as ambush, active shooter and hostage rescue situations, where the officers had to suppress the threat before delivering self, buddy and casualty care and evacuate casualties safely.
As to the highlights of his career, Schmitt has many, but three in particular stand out.
“Watching children ages three, four and five learn and practice CPR on CPR Day with confidence and pride; watching a man who just a few months prior I had performed CPR on cross the finish life of the For Your Heart 5K smiling ear to ear and knowing that our law enforcement officers are better prepared and equipped with the ability to save their own lives and the lives of fellow officers and citizens when faced with life-threatening bleeding,” said Schmitt.
ABOUT THE 2015 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. Also announced today was the honoree for the Lifetime Achievement.
Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created six years ago by Maverick Multimedia, publisher of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily, to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.
TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community. TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved. TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fund raising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.
All 2015 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2015 edition of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Sponsors
The first Gala was held in 2010 and is produced by Brevard Productions.
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
• Brevard Family Partnership
• Brevard Neighborhood Coalition
• Brevard Special Olympics – Debbie Spence
• Lila Buescher
• Canine Companions for Independence
• Childrens Hunger Project
• Circles of Care
• Ginger Davis
• Cove Merchants Association
• Dr. Brian Dowdell
• Early Learning Coalition of Brevard
• Betsy Farmer
• Darcia Jones-Francey
• Harris Corp. Foundation
• Malak Hammad
• John & Cynthia Handley
• John Harper
• Mike & Stephanie Haridopolos
• Sheriff Wayne Ivey
• Robert Jordan
• Dr. John Lovejoy Jr. & Dr. John Lovejoy III
• Victor Luebker
• Rita Pritchett
• David Schmitt
• Oscar & Turney Sieveking
• The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Dr. Anthony Catanese.
HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM
As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health FirstPalm Bay Hospital, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center.
Dr. Jim Palermo
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“For the sixth consecutive year, we will once again produce the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala on the first Thursday of November. This year, more than 42 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala.”
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will be part of Space Coast Medicine Week, a comprehensive series of health and educational events produced by Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily.
JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by M.H. Williams Construction, Parrish Medical Center, SOAR, Brighthouse Networks, Wuesthoff Health System, First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Florida Pain Institute, Brevard Geriatrics, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com. Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe.
Giles Malone
“We would like to thank our long list of sponsors who support the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards and who make this wonderful event possible,” said Giles Malone, a partner with Maverick Multimedia and Brevard Productions, who annually produce all the events of Space Coast Medicine Week.
COMPELLING MULTIMEDIA TRIBUTE VIDEOS & STORIES
Stay tuned to SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
Tom Palermo
“Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 5 to celebrate and be inspired by these incredible individuals and groups,” said Maverick Multimedia President & Publisher Tom Palermo.
“In the meantime, please click the link below that showcases the distinguished Central Florida Humanitarian Alumni.”
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mailMaverickMultiMedia@gmail.com
ABOVE MAP:The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
Named 2015’s Emergency Medical Services Educator of the Year by the Florida Department of Health, Schmitt is supervisor and lead instructor at the Health First Training Center, where he supervises a team of more than 70 instructors who provides life support training for more than 5,000 students a year on subjects such as CPR, First Aid, AED training, advanced cardiac life support and EMT and paramedic refresher courses.
