ADEL, Iowa — Luke Dahl of rural Casey, a nationally recognized paramedic with the Dallas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), was honored Friday with the Willow Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care in ceremonies held in the Dallas County administration building.
Dahl was nominated for the national award by the family of Jean Dowd of Perry, whose sudden death in May was very stressful for her family. In a letter nominating Dahl for the award, Dowd’s daughter, Kristina Sowers of Iowa City, praised “the extraordinary compassion and professionalism he provided during our mother’s medical emergency earlier this year.”
Willow Award National Director Janae Strovers of Little Rock, Arkansas. said Sowers’ letter described Dahl as “the calm in the storm” and praised “his clear communication, reassuring presence and compassionate support” as her mother was transported to the hospital following a heart attack. She said Dahl “remained by her side in the emergency department, helping her navigate one of the most difficult moments of her life.”
Joining Sowers as Friday’s ceremonies were her father, Jim Dowd, and brother, Eric Dowd. Also celebrating Dahl’s honor were Dallas County EMS Director Kristin Brady and paramedics Ken Buelt, Sarah Ferree, Matt Ireland and Tim Moreland and Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory’s John Parrish, Mark Parrish and Katie Fitzsimmons.
Dahl accepted the award with humble thanks.
“I appreciate being nominated for this,” Dahl said, “but all my other fellow paramedics probably would have done the same thing. I appreciate all my other coworkers, and I appreciate the family. I wish we could have done more. As always. We wish we could more than we can, but we effect what we can effect.”
Willow Award Iowa Director Jodie McGinley said “Dahl’s humanity and care brought lasting comfort to her family” as well as “dignity, grace and compassion during one of life’s most meaningful transitions.”
The Willow Award: Excellence in End-of-Life Care is a national recognition program that honors caregivers who go above and beyond in providing exceptional end-of-life care and support to patients and their families. Recipients represent a wide range of professions, including nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, certified nursing assistants, emergency responders, and private caregivers. The Willow Award is proudly by Caldwell Parrish Funeral Homes and Boeson Florist.