Pitt Emergency Medicine Program

Saturday is EMS Remembrance Day

To honor emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line-of-duty and to recognize the ultimate sacrifice they made for their communities. We thank them for their service to EMS and for bringing comfort and lifesaving care to their patients. They leave us with the proud memory of their commitment and dedication to EMS. This day is set aside to recognize those fallen EMS professionals and their families.

The Emergency Medicine Student Association (EMSA) has sponsored families to attend the National EMS Memorial Service. Please support the EMS memorial bike ride and other organization that support the memory that have died in the line of duty.

During EMS Week, Friday is is recognition day. Today we recognize, Wally Grubs, and the award created in his honor.

Walter L. Grubbs was a six-year veteran of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. On August 26, 1986, at the age of 27, he was killed when a drunk driver struck the car he was driving. Wally was a consummate professional, dedicated to the preservation of life and improvement of Emergency Medicine. As a clinician, teacher, and leader, he personified excellence and caring. The Walter L. Grubbs Memorial Humanitarian Award is presented to the Center for Emergency Medicine student who embodies the virtues of empathy, altruism, and selfless commitment in all of their personal and professional endeavors.

This year the Pitt EM class chose Simona as the their peer who best embodies these virtues. We congratulate and recognize Simona.

Friday is EMS Recognition Day

To recognize your local EMS heroes and those who save lives through the EMS system. On EMS Recognition Day, we honor members of the EMS community who regularly go above and beyond what’s expected. It’s a day to give gratitude to first responders for their unwavering commitment to serving their communities. Plan an awards event, a special meal, a gift-giving event, and other honors for EMS Recognition Day.

Recent Graduates from the EM Program are recognized for their heroic life saving efforts. Both patients are alive and well and back with their families!

Now in it's 3rd year. The legends of EMS Event recognizes those who have been instrumental in the development of EMS at the local, national and international level. Many of those legends have directly played a role in the development of our EM Students.

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/legendsofems2026

Thursday is Save-A-Life Day

To promote Stop the Bleed, public CPR programs and other programs It doesn’t matter how quickly EMS professionals get to a scene—bystanders will almost always be there first. Save-A-Life Day empowers the general public to learn and apply steps that can be taken to help save a life. This is an ideal day to schedule community CPR and Stop the Bleed educational courses. Take advantage of the many programs and toolkits available that make it easier to coordinate these programs.

Students from the EM Program Teach NAEMT's FOTS (First On the Scene) Course to members of the University community. Looking for a CPR Class, or your own FOTS class? Check out our partners at the Center for Emergency Medicine: https://centerem.org/

Wednesday is EMS for Children Day

To highlight the special needs of caring for children EMS for Children Day highlights the distinctive physiological and psychological aspects of caring for children and serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about improving specialized care for children in pre-hospital and acute care settings. Consider planning a pediatric care educational event for your clinicians and a community program related to first aid, emergency preparedness, car seats or bicycle safety.

Pitt EM Students work with our partners with UPMC Prehospital Care to provide specialized pediatric skills.

Monday is Education Day

Highlighting public education programs and EMS professionals' education. Education Day seeks to highlight community educational programs and the importance of continuing education for EMS professionals. This is the ideal day to plan a community injury or illness prevention program and a special CE course for your agency. Consider in-person or online community education programs related to the prevention of falls, burns, poisoning, or drowning.

We thank ALL of the educators, preceptors, staff, family and friends which support our students making them the best future providers!

Sunday is Health, Wellness, and Resilience Day

To promote the health, wellness, and resilience of EMS professionals and patients. Health, Wellness, and Resilience Day highlights the need to recognize and care for the health and wellness of EMS professionals and patients and share ideas on strengthening resilience. It is an opportunity to step back and take care of ourselves through self-care and care for our fellow EMS professionals and the patients in our care every day.

As we recognize EMS Week 2026, starting this Sunday, we want to extend our deepest appreciation to the EMS professionals who serve with excellence and integrity.

To the providers delivering critical care in moments that matter most, the educators preparing future clinicians, and the operational and administrative teams who ensure readiness and reliability, your contributions are invaluable.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to patient care, public safety, and the advancement of the EMS field. Your work truly makes a difference.