Lanark County Paramedic Chief Travis Mellema Honoured with Richard J. Armstrong Leadership Award
November 05, 2024
Montague, Ontario – Lanark County Paramedic Service (“LCPS” or “the
Service”) Chief Travis Mellema has been recognized with the distinguished
Richard J. Armstrong Leadership Award at this year’s Ontario Association
of Paramedic Chiefs (“OAPC”) Honours and Awards Gala, celebrating his impactful
leadership and dedication to advancing paramedicine across Ontario.
The Richard
J. Armstrong Leadership Award, established in 2008, is one of the highest honours
in Ontario’s paramedic profession. Presented annually, the award recognizes
paramedic leaders who exemplify outstanding leadership while driving progress
and innovation within emergency medical services. Recipients include Chiefs,
Deputy Chiefs, and Managers whose influence reaches beyond their own service to
advance the entire profession.
Chief Mellema’s Commitment
to Patient Care
Throughout his tenure as a leader with LCPS, Chief Mellema has championed advancements that enhance the quality of
care in Lanark County, including introducing Autonomous Intravenous (AIV) certification
for Primary Care Paramedics and expanding the Advanced Care Paramedic program,
enabling paramedics to deliver more advanced medical interventions when
necessary.
Under his leadership, LCPS also successfully implemented the
Paramedics Providing Palliative Care program, addressing a critical
healthcare gap for patients in Lanark County. This initiative, initially
launched as a pilot program, now enables paramedics to provide specialized care
to improve the quality of life for patients facing end-of-life conditions.
Provincial Leadership and Advocacy
Chief Mellema’s involvement
extends far beyond Lanark County. He served as Chair of the Eastern Ontario
Association of Paramedic Chiefs from 2019 to 2024, leading both the Deputy
Chief and Chief level groups. He sits on various OAPC committees—including the Psychological
Health and Wellness Committee, the Governance Committee, and the Ontario
Base Hospital Group Steering Committee—and participates in advocacy days
with different levels of government to discuss issues and work towards province-wide
advancements in paramedic care and workforce well-being.
Fostering a Safer, More Supportive
Workplace
In addition to his leadership within the community, Chief Mellema has prioritized the safety and
well-being of his paramedics, enrolling LCPS in the External Violence
Against Paramedics (EVAP) study, which advocates for stronger provincial
protections against on-duty violence. In partnership with the Ontario Paramedic
Association and Mark’s Work Wearhouse, LCPS is also trialing high-visibility
uniforms to improve paramedic safety on emergency calls.
Chief Mellema’s commitment to psychological safety is
equally noteworthy. He established direct access to a registered Clinical
Psychologist for paramedics, with costs covered by LCPS, to ensure mental
health support is readily available. Additionally, he enhanced LCPS’s Peer
Support Team, fostering a positive organizational culture and a resilient
workforce.
A Leader in Public Health
Chief Mellema’s leadership
during the COVID-19 pandemic established strong partnerships with Public
Health, local hospitals, and long-term care facilities, creating a Community
Paramedicine Program that supported COVID-19 testing, vaccine
administration, and in-home diagnostics for vulnerable populations. This
program has grown into a staple service in the community by providing a
proactive approach to health care with in-home diagnostics and remote patient
monitoring.
In another innovative initiative, LCPS partnered with Public
Health to offer Rabies immunizations, improving vaccine compliance and
reducing the burden on emergency departments, further showcasing his commitment
to public health and safety.
Chief Mellema’s Legacy of
Leadership
Though
relatively new to the Chief role, Chief Mellema has built a culture of
leadership at LCPS, emphasizing succession planning and team development.
Through partnerships with the Mississippi River Health Alliance and Huron
Group, he enrolled his leadership team in development programs and enhanced the
Acting Superintendent program to offer frontline staff leadership
opportunities. “His servant leadership style and commitment to his team has
been integral in attracting other leaders from around the province and within to
grow our team to meet the needs of the Service and our communities” states his
staff.
A Team Approach
“I am truly honoured to be recognized by my peers with such
an award. Lanark County Paramedic
Service continues to advance and grow with the programs and care we provide but
none of this would be possible without the help of our dedicated leadership
team, past Chiefs and incredible staff who have made this possible and I would
like to share this award with them for all they have done.”
A Well-Deserved Honour
Chief Mellema’s leadership has left a lasting mark on Lanark County Paramedic
Service and the paramedic profession in Ontario. His commitment to excellence
in pre-hospital care and his dedication to the well-being of his staff and
community make him a deserving recipient of the Richard J. Armstrong Leadership
Award.
-30-
Media Contact:
Caitlin O’Hara, Communications Lead
Mississippi River Health Alliance
613-621-9638
caohara@mrha.ca
About Lanark County Paramedic Service
Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) provides
essential pre-hospital emergency medical care to residents and visitors across
Lanark County. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, LCPS paramedics are the
first point of contact for many in emergency situations, responding to a wide
range of medical and trauma-related calls. With a strong commitment to
innovation, professionalism, and community partnerships, LCPS is dedicated to
enhancing the health and safety of the region. For more information, visit www.lanarkcountyparamedicservice.ca.
About
the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA)
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) was
formed in 2016 to formalize and strengthen collaboration between the Almonte
General Hospital Corporation—which includes Almonte General Hospital (AGH),
Fairview Manor (FVM), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS)—and the
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Corporation (CPDMH). This
partnership delivers seamless, high-quality healthcare that addresses the
evolving needs of local communities. Together, the MRHA is building an
integrated healthcare system that provides comprehensive care close to home,
enhancing access and improving health outcomes throughout the region. For more
information visit www.MRHA.ca.