OEMS Honors

The Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) proudly honors those whose service, leadership, and extraordinary actions have made a lasting impact on EMS in our state. This page is dedicated to the individuals who have received official recognition for their contributions—those who exemplify the spirit of excellence, dedication, and innovation in emergency medical services. Honors are awarded on an ongoing basis as nominations are reviewed and approved.

Jump to an Award

Prestigious RetirementPrestigious Retirement Recognition

Awarded to certified or licensed EMS professionals who retire after 15 or more years of active service. Recipients may use the suffix “-Retired” (e.g., EMT-Ret., Paramedic-Ret.) as a mark of distinguished service.

Recipients:

  • Matt Fisch – Gold Cross Ambulance/Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service
    Recognized for over 45 years of EMS service and commitment to patient care and community response.

Emeritus DesignationEMS Lifetime Achievement – Emeritus

Conferred upon retirement, after retirement, or posthumously to EMS professionals whose careers reflect exceptional, enduring contributions to Minnesota EMS.

Recipients:

No recipients have been recognized in this category to date.

Service in MemoryService in Memory Recognition

Honors EMS professionals who passed away while certified or registered, but not in the line of duty. Their years of dedication are remembered with dignity.

Recipients:

  • Scott C. Monsrud – First Responder, Mazeppa Fire Department
    Recognized for his deep commitment to community service through fire, EMS, and city leadership. His legacy continues through the work of his son, a paramedic in Minnesota.
  • Richard “Pat” Collins – Founder, Karlstad Rescue Squad
    Honored for pioneering EMS in northwest Minnesota through the state’s early rural ambulance services and for a lifetime of training, response, and public service.

Honorary EMSHonorary EMS Recognition

For non-certified individuals whose heroic action or sustained advocacy significantly supports EMS care, education, or response.

Recipients:

This recognition has not yet been awarded.

OEMS Director's AwardOEMS Director’s Award for EMS Excellence

Bestowed at the discretion of the OEMS Director for outstanding, statewide impact on Minnesota EMS—whether through leadership, innovation, or advocacy.

Recipients:

  • Amy Brown - Community Paramedic, EMS Educator, South Central College
    Amy Brown has dedicated nearly 25 years to EMS, serving both in the field and as one of Minnesota’s first Community Paramedics. In recent years, she has turned her focus to education, shaping the next generation of providers at South Central College. Recognized as Faculty of the Year and a Minnesota State Outstanding Educator, Amy continues to set a standard of excellence in EMS through her teaching, leadership, and commitment to her students.
  • Donovan Hauge – Paramedic, Retired Executive Director, Southeast EMS System
    With an extraordinary 43-year career in emergency medical services, Donovan Hauge has been the embodiment of compassion, courage, and professionalism. From his early years as an EMT and paramedic to his leadership as Executive Director of the Southeastern Minnesota EMS Regional Program, Don’s impact is immeasurable. His legacy lives on in the countless patients he served and the many EMS providers he mentored throughout his career.
  • Chief Ryan Quinn – Edina Fire Department
    Chief Ryan Quinn has been a driving force in advancing EMS innovation in Minnesota. In partnership with the University of Minnesota, he helped develop the world’s first mobile intensive care vehicle with ECMO capabilities, revolutionizing cardiac arrest care and improving survival rates. He also played a key role in strengthening homeland security readiness through multi-jurisdictional mass casualty response planning. His leadership, vision, and dedication embody the excellence this award represents.

NotifyCall for Nominations

Help Us Recognize Excellence in EMS

The Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) is now accepting nominations for EMS professionals and community members who have made a lasting impact on emergency medical services across the state. Whether it’s a lifetime of service, a powerful act of advocacy, or a meaningful contribution to EMS education, care, or response—we want to honor those who go above and beyond. For more information, check out our OEMS Recognition homepage.
Click here to submit your nomination

Contact UsQuestions?

For help with the nomination process, or to confirm eligibility: