Susan Rzucidlo, program manager, Pediatric Trauma and Injury Prevention Program, Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, has won the Amanda Wertz EMS for Children Award at the 2012 Pennsylvania State EMS Awards.
This award is given in memory of Amanda E. Wertz, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Wertz-Evans. Amanda was a child with special health care needs who died in 2001 at the age of 14, and whose parents were both active EMS providers in Pennsylvania for many years. The award honors an individual who has made a difference in the lives of children in the Commonwealth in accordance with the mission of the EMS for Children program.
In her role, Rzucidlo works to reduce childhood death and disability from injury through advocacy and education. She is an active member of PEHSC’s EMS for Children Advisory Committee and Dauphin County’s Safe Kids program. At the Children’s Hospital, Rzucidlo spearheaded efforts to implement a Safe Sleep program, coordinated car seat inspections and reviewed new pediatric equipment for the emergency department. She also developed patient education for trauma victims and a “Safety Store” for the new freestanding Children’s Hospital.