WEST VALLEY – Arizona Fire & Medical Authority (AFMA) has honored two Abrazo Health leaders for strengthening collaboration between emergency responders and hospital teams and helping improve patient care and emergency response coordination across the West Valley.

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus CEO Stephen Garner & AFMA Fire Chief Mark Burdick

Abrazo Health AZ Group CEO Brian Elisco & AFMA Fire Chief Mark Burdick

AFMA Fire Chief Mark Burdick presented distinguished service awards to Stephen Garner, CEO of Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale, and Brian Elisco, Group CEO of Abrazo Health Arizona, during separate events last month.

“Your steadfast partnership and commitment to strengthening the connection between emergency medical services and hospital-based care is a continued benefit to the communities we jointly serve,” said Chief Burdick.

AFMA recognized Garner and Elisco for fostering collaboration between hospital teams and first responders and helping strengthen the continuum of care from the moment a patient requires emergency assistance through treatment, recovery, and follow-up care.

“Strong partnerships with our EMS colleagues are essential to delivering the highest level of care for our West Valley communities,” said Abrazo Arrowhead Campus CEO Stephen Garner.

“First responders are often the first critical link in a patient's healthcare journey. By working closely together, we help ensure patients receive timely access to the advanced emergency services they need, while improving outcomes for families throughout the West Valley,” he said.

As one of Arizona’s largest healthcare systems, Abrazo Health partners with EMS agencies throughout the region to help ensure seamless patient transitions and timely access to trauma, cardiac, stroke and other specialized emergency services when every second counts.

These long-standing relationships support a coordinated approach to care that benefits patients, families and communities across the West Valley.

“These recognitions celebrate the extraordinary commitment of first responders and healthcare professionals who work together every day to serve our communities,” said Abrazo Health AZ Group CEO Brian Elisco.

“Their shared dedication to patient care helps save lives, strengthen emergency response efforts, and improve the health and well-being of West Valley residents.”

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