A hospital in the East is recognizing outstanding individuals who exceed expectations in their roles through the Scott Whitford Unsung Hero of the Year Award. This prestigious award pays tribute to Scott Whitford, a cherished member of the Carolina East community who tragically lost his life while rescuing two women from a rip current in 2017. In honor of Whitford's selfless act, Carolina East acknowledges employees who demonstrate exceptional performance. This year, the recipients of the peer-nominated award are Phillip Laxton, EMS Associate Manager, and Jerome Rollins, Paramedic.
Embracing Excellence
Phillip Laxton humbly shared, 'It's a bit surreal because I really don't think of myself as a hero, I come to work and treat patients.' Likewise, Jerome Rollins expressed, 'The challenging aspect of our work is the complexity it presents for the patients. What I find most rewarding is the opportunity to educate and empower them to effectively manage their health at home.' Both Laxton and Rollins take pride in the Carolina East Paramedicine program, especially highlighting the Community Paramedic Program initiated in 2020.
Community Impact
The Community Paramedic Program is instrumental in addressing social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, lack of transportation, and access to medications, by connecting patients with essential resources and education. Carolina East encourages individuals to visit their website for more details on this impactful program.