In June, Mena VFW Post 4451 recognized Scott County’s Christy Hattabaugh for her dedication and passion to serve and assist those in the community.
During the June monthly meeting at the post, Commander Linda Johnson announced that Hattabaugh had received recognition at the local level and advanced on, winning the national award.
Hattabaugh was presented with the VFW National Emergency Technician (EMT) Award. The award is presented to any individual who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service or civil disaster assistance as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to give emergency medical care, provide rescue and civil disaster assistance to our nation’s
citizens.
Hattabaugh, who has worked with Southwest EMS for the past 15 years, was humbled after learning her colleagues unanimously nominated her for the local award. Hattabaugh would later discover that former patients, their families, and professionals in several different fields, such as Arkansas State Police Tropper Mike Lance, Heritage Funeral Home office manager and co-owner, Melissa Callahan, and Waldron Police Department’s Billy Biggs, had written letters of recommendation for her to be recognized on a higher level.
“I feel very honored to work in a field with so many people who are as deserving or more deserving than me,” shared Hattabaugh. “I am here because a lot of good people pushed me.”
She recalled her early days in the field and classroom, which were difficult at best. Hattabaugh faced unthinkable odds while trying to chase her dream. She endured the tragic death of her brother, and only two months before graduation, the untimely death of her husband, Gary. The couple had been married for 31 years. “My husband was very proud of me,” continued Hattabaugh. “I hope he was proud for me to finish.”
A non-traditional student, she had to work a little harder than those who were fresh out of high school. “I was the oldest person in the class,” Hattabaugh stated, smiling. “I had an instructor who never gave up on me though. Lisa Dyer at KTC (Kiamichi Technology) is a great instructor and a personal mentor. By her not allowing me to quit, I am able to do a job I love. I strive to be better every day.”
Hattabaugh also recalled an influencer early on, Marty Nelson. Hattabaugh attended the University of Arkansas Fort Smith for EMT under Nelson’s instruction. “He pushed me to go on to paramedic school, almost daring me…”
With Hattabaugh’s grit and determination, there is no wonder she landed the top spot for recognition. “You can do anything you set your mind to do. I really love this job. I love the people and the connections. I guess at the end of the day if I have made my kids and grandkids proud, or if I have made a difference in one person’s life, then it is all worth it.”
The Operations Base Manager in Mena set goals for her life and career and has worked tirelessly to achieve them. Success, however, is one patient at a time for her. “When I am on a call, I am focused solely on my patient.” She recalled her “first big save” with her partner of 15 years, Danny Jones. “The call was at Harvey-Nola. We saved this kid, and they didn’t think he would ever walk again. I followed up with his mom and later she sent me a video of him dancing!”
Jones, a 32-year veteran medic, holds his partner in the highest esteem. “During COVID, Christy worked 30 days straight with no days off!” She is truly the most dedicated and gifted paramedic. As a manager, she would rather be short-staffed and working on her scheduled days off than to employ the wrong people.
He recalled that in the final days of the contract in Scott County, two calls came in when Hattabaugh did not feel well. “We begged her to go home, she wouldn’t do it. But we knew something was wrong. She just kept on going…” Later that night, Jones would transport his partner to the emergency room for evaluation. Ultimately, Hattabaugh ended up in the cath lab, where they discovered she had suffered a heart attack.
“I remember working a call with a pediatric patient and we were in route to meet transport for Children’s Hospital,” shared Jones. “There wasn’t a whole lot we could do for this child, treatment wise. I remember looking in my mirror and seeing Christy stroking the child’s hair and singing ‘You are my Sunshine’ to them”… She just has a gift of knowing what is needed, not only for the patient, but the family, too.” Jones recounted one call where a child was going to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, and the family faced unexpected travel expense. “Christy pulled a $50 bill out of her pocket and gave it to the child’s parents.”
Sometimes treatment requires more than just medication. It requires compassion. Hattabaugh is undoubtedly her patient’s biggest advocate. “Christy says we work for those who dial 9-1-1 next,” continued Jones, recalling the time she went toe-to-toe with a doctor she didn’t agree with. “He later apologized, and we got a pizza party out of it,” laughed Jones.
Southwest EMS, Hattabaugh’s employer for the span of her career, is fortunate to have such a caring professional on staff. “She is a true public servant in every sense of the word,” shared Director of Education and Quality Management for Southwest EMS, Ryan Shane Rowe. “Christy is a very good communicator and from my vantage point, a hard worker who goes above and beyond the call…”
On behalf of those whom you serve daily, Christy Hattabaugh, thank you for your service. You truly stand out in the field in which you serve. Congratulations on this prestigious award, you certainly are more than deserving!
