First Responders Honored by CMC at Recent Event
12/17/2025
Carlsbad Medical Center was pleased to present its annual EMS & Law Enforcement Appreciation Night on Thursday, November 13, at Golf Society.
“We cannot thank our Emergency Services, law enforcement and all first responders enough for what they do every day for our patients, for our hospital and for Carlsbad,” said Matthew Banks, Carlsbad Medical Center CEO. “Your presence, teamwork, and commitment to public safety saves lives and helps make Carlsbad the great community that it is.”
In addition to gifts presented to law enforcement and EMS leaders, several awards were presented to members of the Carlsbad Police Department and Eddy County Sherriff’s Office. “Their presence and commitment to their jobs has resulted in making our patients and employees feel safe,” said Banks. “The communication and collaboration between our hospital and our first responders is just outstanding, and it truly makes a difference.”
Longtime Carlsbad resident and business leader Phil Carrell shared the story of a medical emergency he experienced this year, and credited the quick action of local EMTs, including Bradley Wooton, Joseph Houser and Chris Rusk, in saving his life. “I give thanks to the air ambulance crew and all the people here in Carlsbad that assisted me and prayed for me,” said Carrell. “I want to thank this hospital because I’ve lived here 51 years, and we’ve had 10 grandchildren born at Carlsbad Medical Center, I’ve had surgery there, my wife has had several surgeries there, and we’ve never had one bad experience with this hospital. I would also like to thank all the first responders who do a great job of taking care of all of the citizens here in Carlsbad.”
Local business owner David Vasquez, who recently shared on social media the story of his heart attack and recovery, thanked his primary care provider Crystal Mullins for sending him quickly to the ER, and presented a “Lifesaving Award” to CMC’s Cardiac Cath Lab Team. “I didn’t believe I was really having a heart attack,” Vasquez said. “But in the cath lab Dr. Amanda Ryan found that my right coronary artery was 100% blocked, and after a stent was inserted I felt immediate relief. My entire experience at the hospital was amazing, and I thank the team at CMC for saving my life.”
College student Leo Cahill, an avid caver, fell while exploring the Parks Ranch Cave in the Guadalupe Mountains in March 2025. The fall resulted in a broken leg and a broken heel, and Cahill spent hours trapped in the cave alone before being rescued and airlifted to Carlsbad Medical Center. There, he underwent emergency surgery performed by Dr. Gus Barrazueta, who commended the first responders and introduced Cahill, inviting him to share his story.
“I can’t really put into words the gratitude I felt once I heard voices responding back to me, given how long I was out there,” Cahill said of his rescue. “It was truly remarkable. I can’t say thank you enough to everyone involved. Thanks to the tireless, selfless efforts of all the first responders, firefighters and volunteers, I was saved. I also want to thank the doctors and nurses at Carlsbad Medical Center and everyone who helped get me back home safely.”
Receiving “Lifesaving Awards” for Cahill’s rescue were Jose Campos, Robert Castillo, Cristian Rodriguez, John Riddle, Leslie Cantrell, Jacob Dorado, Micah Roberts, Zadoc Campbell, Mark Johnson, Joseph Perez and Chase McGlinchey.
CMC Chief Nursing Officer Mark Staton presented Deputy Bryce Chambers and Officer Caleb Kinnikin with awards recognizing their efforts in keeping the citizens of Carlsbad safe, and Leadership awards were presented to Eddy County Sheriff Matt Hutchinson, Carlsbad Police Chief Jesse Rodriguez, Fire Chief Tony Souza, Assistant Chief of Administration John Majerus, EMS Chief Burke Headrick, Assistant Chief of Operations Brad Carlson, and Air Service representatives Jim Burt and Amy Chavez.
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, Banks thanked the organizer of the event, CMC EMS Director Kris Armendariz, and also thanked community sponsors Energy Transfer, Conoco Phillips, Native Air, Trans Aero Medevac and Perry’s Oilfield Service.
AR Foreman Construction was recognized as the sponsor of the Second Annual EMS & Law Enforcement Appreciation Golf Tournament, held the next day on November 14th. Teams from the Fire Department, the Police Department, the Sheriff's Office and Carlsbad Medical Center played in the tournament, with the Fire Department taking home the trophy for the second year in a row.
“We are thrilled with the support we’ve received from the community to make our EMS & Law Enforcement Appreciation events a huge success,” said Banks. “This is just one small way we can thank our amazing first responders and show them how much they are appreciated.”
Back