Fire surgeon receives AMA Medal of Valor
Dr. Paul Matera, one of Anne Arundel County EMS/Fire/Rescue's fire surgeons, received the American Medical Association's highest individual award, the Medal of Valor.
The medal is awarded to an AMA member or members who demonstrates courage under extraordinary circumstances in nonwartime situations.
Matera was awarded the medal in connection with an incident at the Emergency Department of Providence Hospital, where he is employed. He was treating a patient with multiple stab wounds when the man became violent. The patient, described as 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 270 pounds, punched Matera on the back of the neck, rupturing 5 disks.
Matera provided directions to the emergency department staff, quickly composed himself and resumed treating the patient's wounds. Matera continued to administer care to patients for the rest of his shift, despite numbness in his left arm and hand as well as severe neck pain.
10 residents to be honored at annual King dinner
A community activist from Severn and the pastor of Second Baptist Church in Annapolis are among 10 county residents selected to receive the 1999 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major awards and the Morris H. Blum Humanitarian award.
The presentations are to be made Jan. 15 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. awards dinner at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, 80 Compromise St., Annapolis, according to Carl O. Snowden, chairman of the dinner. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.
The awards are given to people who have worked to keep King's dream alive through their words and deeds, Snowden said.
The keynote speaker is the Rev. Frank Madison Reid III, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore.
The dinner is sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Anne Arundel Peace Action, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Anne Arundel County Chapter; Robinwood Planning Action Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Dinner Committee.
Those receiving the Drum Major awards are: Gloria Criss, a community activist in Severn; the Rev. Willie Mason, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Annapolis; entrepreneurs Larry and Harry Reese; Rachel Brown, a retired educator; the Rev. Richard Johnson III, pastor of First Christian Community Church, Annapolis; Jackie Allsup, a former member of the Annapolis Human Relations Commission; and Sylvia Tilghman, a Severn community activist. The NAACP is to name its award recipient.
The Rev. Leroy Bowman, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Annapolis for more than five decades, will receive the Morris H. Blum Humanitarian award.
Tickets for the dinner are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket purchasers should make checks payable to: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Dinner Awards Committee, P.O. Box 371, Annapolis 21404.
Information: 410-267-7723.
Pub Date: 12/20/98