By Richard Kaufman
There was an outpouring of appreciation at Hill House on Tuesday, as residents there gathered to say thank you to members of Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) for all that they do.
Hill House, located in Riverside, is a congregate home for well-elderly people of low to moderate income. Over the years, GEMS has been a friendly presence at the facility during regular 911 calls, or when someone has fallen and needs assistance getting up. GEMS has also provided education to the residents on what to expect in the event an ambulance is called.
Residents presented a plaque to GEMS Deputy Director Patrick O’Connor, and paramedics John McRae and Linette Usowski. The plaque read: “Always there for us. Our heartfelt gratitude. — Hill House residents.”
Mary Lou Pilder has lived at Hill House for almost a year. In January, she began to not feel well, and after laying in bed for several days with chills and exhaustion, she was convinced to go to the hospital. She had COVID, and an ambulance was called.
“I was so out of it,” Pilder recalled. “I just remember them putting me in the ambulance and how kind and considerate they were, because I was scared.”
Pilder received oxygen and IV fluids, and was hospitalized for a week. She has since recovered.
“We rely on [GEMS], and they’re so good to us. It gives us that extra blanket of security knowing they’re there,” she said. “They’ve just been awesome. It was a very special moment here seeing them.”
For GEMS Executive Director Tracy Schietinger, responding to calls and helping people when they’re most vulnerable is all in a day’s work.
“This is what we do. We don’t expect any recognition,” she said. “It’s humbling and extremely rewarding to know that people appreciate what you do.”
Usowski, who was on hand to receive the plaque, has been with GEMS for over 10 years and has responded to Hill House countless times.
“We do this every day, all the time, and it’s rare that anyone pulls us aside and acknowledges us. As I was looking around the room, I recognized many of the faces because I transported them a few times,” Usowski said. “It just felt really, really nice. You know they appreciate what you do, and any time you go there and help them, it puts a skip back in your step.”
The Hill House residents also gave freshly baked cookies to those who were there from GEMS.
“It made me feel so thankful for my job,” Usowski added. “It made me feel good to have patients like that.”
