Morris Hospital names EMS System Coordinator Ed Ludwig Fire Starter of the Month

Morris Hospital has named Manhattan resident Ed Ludwig, an EMS System Coordinator, its January Fire Starter of the Month.

According to a Friday news release, Ludwig never had a career he envisioned for himself more than working as a firefighter or EMT. He has worked as an EMS System and Education Coordinator at Morris Hospital for 14 years, earning a reputation as a self-starter who strives to improve processes and make life easier for those he works with.

Tony Bucki, Morris Hospital’s Director of Emergency Services, described Ludwig as an experienced professional who is deeply committed to innovation and improvement.

“Ed is a consummate professional who demonstrates excellence in everything he does,” Bucki said. “Ed embodies the Morris Hospital mission through his dedication to helping those in need. Ed is very deserving of being Fire Starter.”

Ludwig said he never imagined being in the role he has now, where he’s responsible for the EMS system and paramedic program.

“I never pictured myself being behind the scenes coordinating with our local agencies or becoming an instructor,” Ludwig said “I enjoy teaching because you can take a difficult concept that can be hard to conceptualize and simplify it for the students. When you see the light flash in their eyes, signaling they understand, there is nothing more rewarding than that.”

Ludwig teaches and leads by example and, according to the news release, he’s not afraid to jump into action. A man approached him in his office at Shabbona School on election day looking for where he can vote, as that location is also a polling place. Ludwig accompanied the man to the gymnasium, and the man had a cardiac emergency on the trip and became unresponsive. Ludwig was able to restore the man’s pulse using a nearby AED.

“Over the last 14 years, I have loved working at Morris Hospital because I believe in the mission and work to achieve it every day,” Ludwig said. “I love that every day is different. In my role as EMS Coordinator, I am constantly working with local fire and ambulance agencies to improve the processes that are used daily in saving lives. That motivates me to get up and go to work every day. I love what I do.”

Morris Hospital has over 1,400 employees, and its the largest employer in Grundy County.