Fall River, Mass. - Stephanie Perry, RN, CARN, and Bruce Smith, MD, of Saint Anne’s Hospital Emergency Department, were recognized as outstanding providers of emergency medical care by the Greater Fall River/New Bedford Emergency Medical Services Coordinating Committee at its recent annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education conference at White's of Westport.



Cited as its Distinguished Nurse of the Year, Perry was nominated by her hospital peers in her roles as an emergency room nurse and certified addictions registered nurse for her “compassion, tolerance and understanding of the addiction process.” (Photo: Stephanie Perry, left, and Lisa Chagnon, RN, MSN, director, Saint Anne's Hospital Emergency Department)

She was further commended for “helping many nurses gain a better perspective of addiction. They have been able to change their views of addiction from a ‘moral flaw’ to a disease process. She is an inspiration to her fellow co-workers.”

A longtime emergency room physician, Dr. Smith (left) was nominated by a member of Fall River EMS as Physician of the Year for “always being helpful and approachable by all members of the EMS community.”

The nominator noted, “Back when we were BLS (basic lifesaving) and brought in some ‘train wrecks,’ Bruce would always take the time to answer questions that EMTs had regarding patient care. If you wanted someone looking after your family members, he was your choice. His down-to-earth and unassuming demeanor has served him well.”

About the Greater Fall River/New Bedford Emergency Medical Services Coordinating Committee:

In addition to Saint Anne’s Hospital, the Greater Fall River/New Bedford Emergency Medical Services Coordinating Committee includes Acushnet Fire/EMS, Freetown Fire, New Bedford EMS, Fairhaven Fire/ EMS, Mattapoisett Police, Westport Fire, Swansea EMS, Somerset Fire, Southcoast Ambulance, Stat Ambulance of NE, Alert Ambulance, American Medical Response, Eascare Ambulance, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Charlton Memorial Hospital. Its mission is to engage in activities that improve the delivery of emergency medical services in the greater South Coast area of Region V through training, advocacy, demonstration projects, the annual EMS conference, and formal recognition of outstanding providers in the greater South Coast area.

About Saint Anne’s Hospital

Saint Anne’s Hospital is a community hospital with comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care services, serving adults and children from southeastern Massachusetts and nearby Rhode Island at its main campus in Fall River and its community outpatient satellites in Attleboro, Swansea, North Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Stoughton.  Founded in 1906 by the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, Saint Anne's Hospital is a member of Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest fully integrated community care organization and community hospital network in New England. Saint Anne’s has been recognized time and again for quality, safety and service by such organizations as The Joint Commission, Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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