Doctor is Cork Person of the Month
Jason van der Velde is the June Cork Person of the Month award winner.
A pre-hospital emergency medicine and critical care Retrieval physician, he manages the HSE’s National 24-hour Emergency Telemedical Support Unit, Medico Cork.
Based in the emergency department in Cork University Hospital, he has a Masters Degree in disaster medicine and more than 20 years’ experience providing pre-hospital care.
He has been a volunteer with the West Cork Rapid Response since its inception in 2007 and has played a crucial part in the development of the charity.
Dr van der Velde has treated hundreds of critically ill or injured people, saving many lives as part of West Cork Rapid Response’s continued efforts to provide Intensive Care level support to the emergency services in West Cork.
His work has taken him well beyond the normal call of duty, from climbing trees or cliffs to delivering babies at the side of the road.
According to Aodh O’Donnell, chairman of the West Cork Raid Response, “Jason makes himself available for call-outs, day and night, despite his heavy normal hospital schedule in Cork City, and I have never met a more committed and dedicated person to the community of West Cork”.
He added: “The members and supporters of West Cork Rapid Response join with all the families of those helped by Dr van der Velde congratulate him on this well deserved honour, and thank him for his inspirational dedication and work for the community of West Cork.”
