Retired Lifecare CEO Recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the medical field and as a leader in improving emergency medical service systems in numerous communities throughout Michigan, Larry Anderson was recognized by the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services (MAAS) and presented with their Lifetime Achievement Award. Anderson’s achievements were recognized at an April 21^st awards banquet in conjunction with the EMS Expo conference in Grand Rapids.

MAAS is the trade association representing pre-hospital care providers in Michigan. They actively speak for their members' interests in legislative and regulatory matters, provide educational and informational meetings throughout the year, and offer members opportunities to meet with and gain experience from their peers in pre-hospital care. 

Anderson, who earned a Master’s Degree in Hospital and Health Administration from the University of Iowa, developed a passion for emergency medical services while serving as a second lieutenant, administrative officer in the U.S. Army Medical Services Corps in Korea.

His career as LifeCare Ambulance Service’s CEO began in 1990.  He was a co-founder of LifeCare in 1983 while Chief Operating Officer at Leila Hospital and Health System.  He served as a board member for 14 years and was board chair a portion of that time, retiring from LifeCare Ambulance Service on October 31, 2006. 

Under Anderson’s leadership, LifeCare Ambulance Service has expanded to cover over 1100 square miles in portions of seven counties in Southwest Michigan.  He was a champion for safe driving, with LifeCare implementing a computer monitored safe driving program in 1987.  This program has also been implemented by the Battle Creek Fire Department.  Based on LifeCare’s driving policies, Anderson developed a Best Practice for safe driving that was recently adopted by the American Ambulance Association.

He is well known for promoting collaboration and quality between organizations, such as: utilizing new technologies to improve EMS systems; promoting safe driving programs and the value of the accreditation process through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services; assisting with the establishment of the first 211 call center in Michigan; and partnering EMS with public health.

He has been active at the national, state and local levels to substantially improve EMS standards, and still serves on the Professional Standards Committee for MAAS and the American Ambulance Association.