County of Los Angeles Fire Museum Presents 'Pioneers of Paramedicine(TM)' Lifetime Achievement Award

LOS ANGELES, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The County of Los Angeles Fire Museum announced today the induction of Eugene Nagel, MD, Leonard Cobb, MD, J. Michael Criley, MD, and Walter Graf, MD, the four founding fathers of paramedic programs, into the "Pioneers of Paramedicine" exhibit and receipt of the "Pioneers of Paramedicine" Lifetime Achievement Award made possible by founding sponsors, Philips Healthcare and Masimo Corporation.  

The "Pioneers of Paramedicine" is a national program created by the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum Association Board of Directors to recognize and honor individuals whose lives and accomplishments exemplify the courage, independence and spirit of innovation that helped shape the development of modern emergency medical services in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to annual recognitions, the project will include a video interview series and a permanent exhibit at the museum's future home.

"If not for these determined visionaries who saw that the future of emergency medicine lay outside the hallowed walls of the hospital, the idea of paramedics and EMTs saving lives in the field may not have gotten off the ground for another decade. Countless lives would have been needlessly lost. Americans, and the world, owe them a debt of gratitude for their foresight and perseverance," said Randolph Mantooth, the museum's honorary chairman. "I extend my personal invitation to everyone in the business of saving lives to join us on May 8 for a once in a lifetime opportunity to pay tribute to the men who are not only responsible for the careers you enjoy, but who are truly the 'Pioneers of Paramedicine.'"

The development of the paramedicine industry created a niche of device innovation to support emergency professionals in the field.  Only a decade ago, many of the lifesaving devices that emergency responders rely on today were only available in hospitals.  

According to Masimo Founder and CEO, Joe Kiani, "As a manufacturer of lifesaving medical monitoring devices, arming emergency first responders with the innovative tools they need to save and preserve life has been a top priority.  Today, through the Pioneers of Paramedicine, we honor the heroes who have dedicated their lives to saving all of ours.  We proudly support and salute the founding fathers of paramedicine."

"Philips is committed to developing advanced resuscitation products that enable emergency medical professionals to perform lifesaving tasks every day," said Mike Miller, senior vice president and general manager, Cardiac Care for Philips Healthcare.  "We are honored to contribute to the recognition of this important discipline and the people who paved the way."

The Gala and awards ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.  For additional details about the gala, visit http://www.pioneersofparamedicine.org/gala.html. For tickets, email [email protected].

ABOUT THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FIRE MUSEUM

The County of Los Angeles Fire Museum Association is a California Public Benefit non profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, established in 1975 and incorporated in 1989.  Acquisitions, restorations and operating funds are supported by monthly and annual membership dues paid by 3,000 active duty Los Angeles County Firefighters, retirees, members of other fire departments, and the public.  The museum's collection includes over sixty historical apparatus, some dating back to the late 1800s, as well as hundreds of artifacts and thousands of photographs.  The most popular vehicles in the collection are the original paramedic/rescue Squad 51 and Engine 51 from the 1970s television show EMERGENCY!  The collection is currently housed in warehouse locations in South Gate and Bellflower, California.  The Museum Association is governed by a seven-member board of directors, nominated and elected by the membership every two years. James O. Page was the sitting president at the time of his passing in 2004.  Randolph Mantooth has served as honorary chairman and spokesperson since 2005.  Updates on current activities, operating hours, and plans for future construction are found at www.LACountyFireMuseum.com.  

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs more than 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of US$32.3 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About Masimo

Masimo (Nasdaq: MASI) develops innovative monitoring technologies that significantly improve patient care—helping solve "unsolvable" problems.  In 1995, the company debuted Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, known as Masimo SET®, which virtually eliminated false alarms and increased pulse oximetry's ability to detect life-threatening events.  More than 100 independent and objective studies demonstrate Masimo SET provides the most reliable SpO2 and pulse rate measurements even under the most challenging clinical conditions, including patient motion and low peripheral perfusion.  In 2005, Masimo introduced Masimo Rainbow SET® Pulse CO-Oximetry™, allowing noninvasive and continuous monitoring of blood constituents that previously required invasive procedures, including total hemoglobin (SpHb®), oxygen content (SpOC™), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO®), methemoglobin (SpMet®), and PVI®, in addition to SpO2, pulse rate, and perfusion index (PI).  In 2009, Masimo introduced Masimo Rainbow SET® Acoustic Monitoring™, the first-ever noninvasive and continuous monitoring of acoustic respiration rate (RRa™).  Masimo's Rainbow platform offers a breakthrough in patient safety by helping clinicians detect life-threatening conditions and helping guide treatment options.  Founded in 1989, Masimo has the mission of "Improving Patient Outcomes and Reducing Cost of Care by Taking Noninvasive Monitoring to New Sites and Applications."  Additional information about Masimo and its products may be found at www.masimo.com.

SOURCE Philips Healthcare