Gov. Nathan Deal honored former Habersham EMS Director Jack Moody for his outstanding contributions to the emergency medical services field. Joining them for the December 6 presentation was GPSTC Director Chris Wiggington. (photo/Alisha Carmichael)
Jack Moody spent his professional life saving others. Thursday, Governor Nathan Deal honored him for it.
Deal presented Moody with the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession during the annual Governor’s Public Safety Awards (GPSA) ceremony in Forsyth.
A distinguished career
Jack Moody began his career as an emergency medical technician (EMT) in 1974. That’s the same year Habersham County began operating an ambulance service. Moody studied and trained and became a paramedic. He spent several years as an EMS instructor at North Georgia Technical College. In 1989, he became Habersham EMS Director. He remained in that job for 28 years.
In 2007 the Georgia Association of EMS named Moody EMS Director of the Year.
Although he retired last year, Moody’s influence is still strongly felt within the department he led for so long. His peers nominated him for this year’s governor’s award. In their nomination letter they described him as a “soft-spoken leader” who “always served as a positive role model.” They praised his progressive leadership and recalled his many professional achievements.
As Habersham EMS director, Moody oversaw advancements in prehospital emergency care.
He partnered with Habersham Medical Center (HMC) on a statewide pilot program aimed at improving stroke patient care. As a result, HMC was named the Georgia Coverdell Champion Hospital of the Year in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Moody also led HEMS to partner with the Ronnie Green Heart Center in Gainesville and developed an innovative heart attack fast-track treatment program. Several EMS providers in Georgia have implemented the program.
Most recently, Moody helped develop the Community Paramedicine Program at HMC which provides medical visits to underserved patients with chronic illnesses.
A well deserved honor
Chad Black took over as Habersham EMS Director when Jack Moody retired. He called his predecessor’s governor’s award “A well deserved recognition.” Black expressed his “sincere appreciation to Jack for his dedication, commitment and care for the citizens and visitors to Habersham County and the region.”
During Thursday’s ceremony, Gov. Deal presented Moody with a medallion. The state will add his name to the GPSA monument at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.
