Mutual Aid medical director, Delmont resident receives statewide EMS award

Dr. William Jenkins is used to seeing ambulances pulling into the emergency room bay at Independence Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.

He wasn’t expecting was to see his 4-year-old grandson Tyler bounding up the driveway Thursday to give him a hug. Nor was he expecting family, Mutual Aid staff and state health officials to be standing there.

The group surprised Jenkins with the Dr. George Moerkirk Memorial Contribution to EMS Award, given annually to a person who provides a significant contribution to the Pennsylvania EMS system.

“For one very small moment in my life, I’m speechless,” Jenkins said. “It’s totally unexpected, but it’s certainly nice to be honored for the work that we do.”

Jenkins, a Delmont resident, is Mutual Aid’s medical director, and is also in charge of the emergency medicine department at Independence’s Frick Hospital.

The award is presented by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council in partnership with the state’s health department and its Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

“Dr. Jenkins donates generously of his time, wisdom and experience,” said Dr. Alvin Wang, president for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of EMS Physicians.

Jenkins received a placard announcing the award. Another copy will go on display in the rotunda of the state Capitol in Harrisburg next week, which is National EMS Week.

“People don’t always think a lot about EMS — we’re just expected to be there,” Jenkins said. “So it’s great to be able to shine a light on the hard work that they do.”

Mutual Aid has 14 ambulance stations across Westmoreland and Fayette counties, and its coverage area includes more than 30 towns.

Mutual Aid and other regional EMS services have had to expand their coverage in the wake of other ambulance stations closing their doors in recent years.

Mutual Aid, Murrysville Medic One and Citizens Ambulance Service stepped in during December 2024 when Saltsburg-based LifeStat ambulance service suddenly closed. In addition, the all-volunteer Kecksburg Rescue Ambulance Service closed its doors at the end of 2024, with its service area split between Mutual Aid and Mt. Pleasant-based Medic 10.

The award is named in memory of Dr. George Moerkirk, who is a past president of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council and was instrumental in the development and growth of EMS services in Pennsylvania. The Lehigh Valley Network’s emergency medicine institute in Allentown is also named in his memory.