CommonSpirit Health Honors Emergency Medical Services Professionals and First Responders

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (May 14, 2025) – Utah’s five CommonSpirit Health hospitals and facilities nationwide invite the community to join them in celebrating the contributions of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals during National EMS Week, May 18-24.

Last year, Utah EMS professionals transported more than 17,000 individuals to CSH Emergency Departments.

One of those individuals is 71-year-old Bruce Harper of Bonnie Lake, Wash. In late March, he and his wife had driven to Utah to watch their grandkids during spring break. Shortly after arriving, they went with their daughter to the Lehi Costco to pick up some groceries. Bruce was pushing the cart when all of a sudden he collapsed in the middle of the store. He later learned that he had suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Fortunately for Bruce, several individuals in the store came to his aid, including an employee who knew CPR and two shoppers – a nurse, and a police officer who were able to use an AED device in the store.

Paramedics with Lehi Fire arrived on the scene and worked on him for nearly 20 minutes while his wife and daughter stood nearby in shock. They then transported him to Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point, where he was treated in the Cath Lab. After two days in the ICU, Bruce was transported to a Salt Lake hospital where he received an Implantable Cardioverter Device (ICD) – a small device placed in the chest to monitor and regulate heart rhythms.

Four weeks later, Bruce is back at home in the Northwest, grateful for the life-saving work of good Samaritans and the EMS professionals who came to his aid. He is returning to his normal activities, including water volleyball and pickleball.

“Utah's paramedics, EMTs, and other EMS team members are, in many respects, the front line of healthcare. Their dedication to the life-saving work they perform is invaluable not only for their patients, but for the communities they serve,” said Dr. Mary McCumber, Emergency Department medical director of Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake.

The five Utah hospitals have a series of events planned to mark EMS Week, including meals being served at each of the campuses. EMS personnel will be given a T-shirt designed to commemorate the week.

Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake

• May 20 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• May 21 –11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• May 23 – 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.

Holy Cross Hospital – Davis

• May 20 – Noon - 2 p.m.
• May 23 – 8-10 a.m.

Holy Cross Hospital – West Valley

• May 20 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• May 21 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• May 23 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley

• May 20 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• May 21 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• May 23 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point

• May 20 - 5-7 p.m.
• May 21 - 5-7 p.m.
• May 23 - 5-7 p.m.

Additionally, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the healing ministry of the Sisters of Holy Cross in Utah, the hospitals will be presenting all EMS professionals who attend the celebration events with a special metal challenge coin. The coin features a rendering of the pin awarded to nurses who graduated from the Holy Cross Nursing School, which was open for 72 years. Challenge coins are often created to commemorate special occasions or achievements, and to celebrate camaraderie, and they are a common practice in the military, law enforcement, and other organizations.

“Every day in the Emergency Department I treat patients who have incredibly hopeful futures because of the care they received from the members of the EMS team prior to their arrival at the hospital. I am grateful for the expertise, courage and commitment of these colleagues,” said Dr. Christine Anderegg, ED physician, and hospital board chair at Holy Cross Hospital – Davis.