IDPH Recognizes Leslie Livett For Excellence In Pediatric Care

Ron E. Lee, M.D. Pediatric Care Award – Lifetime Achievement

SPRINGFIELD– The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program are honoring Leslie Livett, R.N., M.S., the EMS/Trauma Nurse Coordinator at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, a Level II Trauma Center in Joliet, with a special pediatric care Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to childhood care.  The Ron W. Lee, M.D. – Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards are given annually by IDPH and EMSC to recognize those dedicated to pediatric emergency care and childhood injury prevention initiatives.  Individuals or organizations can be nominated in one of three award categories - Lifetime Achievement, Clinical Excellence, and Community Service.
 
“Leslie Livett is a recognized leader in trauma services with more than 30 years of emergency nursing and trauma experience,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D. J.D.  “Through her coordination of the annual Region VII Pediatric Priorities Conference and the EMS Safety Fair attended by more than 700 first graders, as well as the role she played in chairing the Region 7 Pediatric Quality Committee over several years, Ms. Livett has shown her passion for child safety and pediatric emergency care.  I am proud to award Leslie Livett the Ron W. Lee, M.D. Excellence in Pediatric Care Lifetime Achievement Award.”
 
“Leslie coordinates ongoing pediatric education to other healthcare professionals including EMS providers, nursing, etc. as it specifically relates to trauma.  She is never without that cheerful smile and words of wisdom to those around her.  Encouraging and offering professional growth to colleagues is a specialty of hers,” said Mary Otting with Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, who considers Leslie to be a mentor.  “She is an outstanding teacher, mentor, valued colleague, and a pediatric advocate beyond belief.” 
 
“While much of her activities are EMS and trauma related, she has a demonstrated passion to improving emergency pediatric care that goes far beyond the call of duty,” said Illinois Poison Center Medical Director Michael Wahl, M.D.  “Leadership in this area is often a voluntary effort.  Leslie’s effort in this area reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: ‘Those who can, do.  Those who can do more, volunteer.’  She very much embodies this ideal.”

The Ron W. Lee, M.D. Excellence in Pediatric Care awards are presented each May.  Dr. Lee was the medical director for the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety at IDPH, as well as the director of emergency medicine at Loyola University Medical Center and was instrumental in establishing and fostering the EMSC program in Illinois.  He passed away in 1998.
 
The Illinois EMSC program is a collaborative effort between IDPH and Loyola University Chicago.  It was established in 1994 to ensure the emergency medical care needs of children are adequately addressed.

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