Amy McDonough, chief nursing officer of Van Diest Medical Center, left, and Christina Peterson, director of emergency services at VDMC, right, present Aubrie Fishburn with a Challenge Coin from the Iowa Donor.

Emma Lee

Tyler Berg

Each coin bears the inscription, “Saving Lives Beyond the Call,” symbolizing the indelible mark left by EMS partners on organ recipients and their loved ones.

Fishburn, Lee and Berg were recognized for the role that they played in getting a patient transferred to a higher level of care. That patient went on to become a donor.

During Donate Life Month this April, Iowa Donor Network acknowledges the pivotal role that EMS professionals play in the healthcare system. They stand at the intersection of hope and healing, bridging the gap between loss and legacy with unwavering compassion.

The Challenge Coin Award serves as a reminder of the lives touched and the legacy created through the commitment to saving lives beyond the call. It honors the dedication and selflessness of EMS partners in facilitating the journey of generosity and compassion.