For the second time, Benny Atkins, Chief Operating Officer with National EMS, was recently recognized as the EMS Director of the Year for the Region 3 Atlanta area during annual EMS Week ceremonies at Gwinnett Medical Center. Atkins was also won the honor in 2011.

The annual award honored Atkins for his three decades of service to Emergency Medical Services system in the region as well as his dedication and commitment to his community. The recognition was presented by the Region 3 EMS Council at the May 28 banquet hosted by Gwinnett Medical Center.

Through Atkins' leadership, National EMS has established a close partnership with the hospitals in their service area and continues to look for opportunities to be a part of their fully integrated health care system. He has been involved in developing several programs with the hospitals including the Coverdell Acute Stroke Program and the Mission Lifeline Program for cardiac patients. During his tenure, National EMS has also doubled in size, and now provides coverage with 18 ambulances covering Rockdale, Morgan, Athens-Clarke, and Oconee Counties.

In addition to working as Chief Operating Officer, Atkins serves as president of the Kimberley Chance Atkins Foundation for Breast Cancer, which raises funds for breast cancer detection and research. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Conyers and has served as a member of the Hospital Authority of Rockdale County.

In 2013, National EMS, the first accredited EMS provider in Georgia, was recognized as one of only eight EMS providers in the United States to consistently maintain accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services for more than 20 years.

The keynote speaker of the evening ceremony was Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lee F. Ellis, an award-winning author and international consultant, who spoke on his experiences as a POW in Hanoi.