PRESQUE ISLE – Presque Isle resident Jim McKenney is the first non-nurse to be inducted into the Aroostook County Health Care Professionals Wall of Distinction. During a recent ceremony held at Northern Maine Community College, McKenney was honored by family, friends and colleagues for his outstanding work in the emergency medical services field in the region.
McKenney currently serves as the vice president of ancillary services at The Aroostook Medical Center, a position to which he was appointed in June 2008. He completed his first EMS course (First Responder) in 1979. In 1983, he completed Basic EMT at Northern Maine Technical College (a forerunner of NMCC), and in 1985 advanced to a critical care technician. In 1988, McKenney took the first paramedic program offered in Aroostook County, again through NMTC.
Criteria for selection to the Health Care Professionals Wall of Distinction include demonstrated commitment to both health care and health care education, as well as various contributions to the larger community of health care.
“In consideration of the qualities and criteria for which we based our decision on this year’s nominee and recipient for the Health Care Professionals Wall of Distinction, it was crystal clear that our nominee for 2009 met all the criteria established in the inaugural year,” said Betty Kent-Conant, department chair of nursing and allied health at NMCC. “He met all components and was not only at the top of the list, but also received unanimous support from faculty in naming him the 2009 nominee. As an alumnus of NMCC, Jim has been very supportive of the college’s programs and is a leader in health care and a major contributor to the health care community.”
McKenney’s service to TAMC began in 1988, when he was hired by the central Aroostook health care facility to start up and provide ongoing management of Crown Ambulance. As a former member and chief of the Fort Fairfield Fire Department, he was actively involved with the startup of the Fort Fairfield Ambulance Service. McKenney has also been involved with Emergency Medical Services on local and state levels as president of Region 5 Ambulance Directors Association, president of Region 5 EMS Council, and as a Maine EMS board member for 14 years, having served as chair from 2000-2002.
“It is, without question, a true honor to be selected for the Wall of Distinction,” said McKenney. “NMCC, and specifically instructors Betty Kent-Conant and Daryl Boucher, along with President Tim Crowley, have been outstanding to work with over the years as they have stepped forth to fill the educational needs of the EMS community whenever necessary. Had it been my choice, I would have had the three of them standing beside me when I received the award.”
Contributed photo
JIM McKENNEY, 2009 inductee into the Health Care Professionals Wall of Distinction, was recently honored at a ceremony at Northern Maine Community College. Joining him were, from left: his wife, Carolyn; his daughter, Linda; and granddaughter, Kayden.
