Apr 8, 2002 By Jackie Beranek 3 min read

The second annual Fayette EMS fund-raiser has been scheduled for Friday, April 19, at Chateau LaFayette, located at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa. Scott Tracy, clinical coordinator of the Connellsville-based Fayette Emergency Medical Services said Dr. Cataldo Corrado, emergency room physician at Uniontown Hospital, will be honored for his life-long commitment to emergency service.

Tracy said, “Dr. Corrado is considered the father of EMS in Fayette County because he has literally trained every paramedic in the county.”

Tracy said the spring event is an effort to help defray operational costs associated with maintaining stations in certain sections covered by Fayette EMS. “Last year’s event was such a success that we wanted to do it again,” said Tracy.

“Insurance reimbursements are down and costs are still escalating so we are hoping an evening of dinner and dancing will generate some assistance,” he continued. “Last year’s honoree Joseph Hardy, owner of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, will be joined on the podium to roast Corrado by Robert Eberly, Uniontown philanthropist, and Ronald Nehls, Fayette County commissioner.”

Tracy said about 120 people attended last year’s dinner/dance and he expects that number to be up even more significantly this year. “Even more than the funds we’re concerned about bringing public awareness to emergency medical services,” said Tracy. “Last year’s honoree was Joe Hardy for his financial contributions to EMS. Tracy said Dr. Corrado is being honored for the time he has given to EMS.”

Tracy said Hardy has donated more than $100,000 to Fayette EMS over the years. Corrado is a member of the board of directors of Emergency Medical Services Institute, chairman of the Fayette County Emergency Medical Services, medical director of the Fayette County 911 Center and is medical director of the Paramedic Program at Pennsylvania State University.

Among other honors, Corrado is the recipient of the Pennsylvania ACEP Physician of the Year Award, 2000; the Salt and Light Humanitarian Award presented by the Diocese of Greensburg, 2000; the Emergency Medical Service Institute Board Recognition Award, 1995; and the Longevity Award presented by the American College of Emergency Physicians in 1997.

Tracy said Dr. Paul Paris, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health System professor of medicine and national expert on emergency services, will serve as master of ceremonies.

In addition to being chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UPMC, Paris is the chief medical officer of the Center of Emergency Medicine, Medical Director of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety Bureau of EMS, medical director of the Emergency Medical Service Institute, past president of the National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians and one of the founding members of the Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Foundation.

Tracy said tickets for the event, which is open to the public, cost $80 a piece. The Brass Knuckles from the Uniontown area will provide music from the 1940s to today’s hits, according to Tracy.