Next week a perfect time to thank a local paramedic
By Lethbridge Herald on May 17, 2025.
Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
Next week marks National Paramedic Services Week and Alberta Health Services is encouraging everyone to take this opportunity to thank paramedics across the province.
Anne MacDonald, acting senior program officer for EMS with Alberta Health Services, says next week is not only about recognizing the team of paramedics that work across the province, but is also an opportunity to honour the compassion, resilience and courage they bring to the communities and patients they serve every single day.
“It’s allowing us to see that whether is a call at 3 a.m. or staying with the patient through some of their most vulnerable moments, that paramedics consistently show up and they show up with professionalism and true heart,” says MacDonald.
She adds that the week allows Albertans to pause and say thanks and acknowledge not only the long hours and emotional toll of the job, but also the dedication that goes unseen a lot of the times.
“I think it’s important that every person in a uniform is that person that doesn’t just see this as work,” says MacDonald. “t’s not just a career, but it’s a calling that allows others help and support in their time of greatest need.”
She says there is a website that has been created especially to provide an opportunity for Albertans who have been treated by a paramedic to thank them.
“And that includes our amazing contracting partners throughout the system, like Lethbridge Fire and EMS for example, they work closely with us, and they do an amazing work. So, we want to make sure we are highlighting all of them, not just those working under AHS.”
The website is http://www.thankaparamedic.com where MacDonald say anyone from across the province can thank a paramedic. No matter if they have received help directly or not, or if they just want to send a general thanks to all paramedics across the province.
MacDonald said the website is not new, but they are trying to highlight it during National Paramedic Services Week, to make sure Albertans are aware that there is a way for them to thank those who helped them in their time of need.
“We take those thank you messages and send them to our staff, so they can see it first-hand from a patient that they have had a real impact on,” says MacDonald.
She adds that the website is live and all the paramedics across the province can see it, and she would love to see general messages going towards everyone in the service.
“But if it is specific to a crew of a member, we make sure they get it,” says MacDonald.
And for those times when Albertans do not get the chance to learn the name of the paramedics that helped them, or they have since forgotten due to shock or other circumstances and would like to thank them, MacDonald say they can help with that.
“On the website if they give some details about where they were, we can actually find it, or they can go through patient relations and say they would like to thank the crew that helped them and provide details of the event so we can find out which crew it was,” says MacDonald.
She said that because sometimes the circumstances do not allow patients to say thank you in the moment, this website gives people an outlet to say thank you and AHS can do the background work to make sure they get the thanks they deserve when patients are unaware of who they are.
“The website is live all the time. We are highlighting this week to make sure people are aware that is there, and they can use it, but we are encouraging people to use all year long so we can highlight their great work,” says MacDonald.
She said that AHS will also be launching a social media campaign to thank paramedics across the province, showcase what they do, what the career is all about and they are hoping Albertans will engage with it as well.
“I’m profoundly proud of our paramedics and all the work they do, and I think that everyone who has entered this field a sense of shared purpose and they do it with humanity,” says MacDonald. “They make such a difference, and they do it with such an empathy and professionalism.”
She says that while most people only see them during some of their most difficult times, they are always there for everyone, ready to help.
“I am super proud of the work they do every single day and it’s an honour to work alongside all of our practitioners in Alberta. I speak very highly of the caliber of paramedics we have in the province,” says Macdonald. “I am constantly inspired by all of them and their dedication.”
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