Horizon Health Paramedics Recognized for Lifesaving Response

Three Horizon Health paramedics have received national recognition for their successful response to a heart attack emergency earlier this year.

Paramedics Trevan Land, Jessica Hopper, and Sydney Lowry were each awarded a Challenge Coin from Carle Regional Emergency Medical Services (CREMS), which includes Horizon Health, in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

The Challenge Coin is a national recognition program that originated in the US military and has since expanded to include civilian emergency responders. Each coin is customized, with a special version specifically designed for EMS professionals.

“Our ambulance crews frequently face uncertainty upon arriving at emergency scenes, where they must rely on their expertise and swift action,” said Samantha McCarty, Horizon Health emergency services director. “This award is a testament to their exceptional response in the face of a critical situation.”

The Horizon Health paramedics were selected from among 1,400 emergency responders in the CREMS network, which is one of 11 EMS regions in Illinois. Only five Challenge Coins are awarded each month across the region, symbolizing exceptional service and dedication. The Challenge Coin is considered the EMS equivalent of the DAISY Award, which recognizes extraordinary nurses nationwide.

Horizon Health Emergency Medical Services continues to receive national recognition for excellence in heart attack and stroke care. In 2025, it was awarded the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Achievement Award. It received the Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Achievement Award in 2024, the highest level an organization can achieve in its first year of consideration.