Tom Sutherland Engagement Prize

Acknowledging passion, mateship, excellence and commitment

The Tom Sutherland Engagement Prize has been established in loving memory of a hard-working Flinders University paramedic student.

Tom Sutherland’s passion for helping others was sparked when, as a security guard in 2017, he was called on during a night shift to attend someone who was unresponsive. Tom’s quick thinking, deployment of the AED, conducting CPR for 15 minutes and delivering three shocks saved the man’s life. In Tom’s words, this was the “fork in the road moment” when he decided he wanted to become a paramedic.

Working full time and with a young family, Tom began studying medical science, achieving excellent grades as a result of his hard work. Earlier this year, Tom achieved his goal of being accepted into the competitive Bachelor of Paramedic Science degree at Flinders University.

As a student, Tom employed a dedicated ‘last to leave’ mentality, a determination that saw him achieve academically. He showed a calm and assured manner with patients, and was known for the way he encouraged his classmates.

Tom said he was, “immensely excited to one day commence a career as a paramedic.”

In July this year Tom Sutherland passed away, aged just 31. His passion, mateship, excellence and commitment left a lasting impression on his fellow students and on the Paramedic Science staff at Flinders.

The Tom Sutherland Engagement Prize of $500 has been established by Tom’s family to honour his passion for being a paramedic and to encourage paramedic students to go above and beyond to achieve their best.

“The prize will be awarded annually to a first year Bachelor of Paramedic Science student who best displays and applies the passion, mateship, excellence and commitment that Tom was known for,” says Anthea Cayetano, Bachelor of Paramedic Science Coordinator.

As a great vote of confidence and encouragement, the prize winner will be selected by their classmates in conjunction with the first year Bachelor of Paramedic Science Coordinator.

The inaugural Tom Sutherland Engagement Prize was awarded to outstanding Paramedic student Dylan Reid, who was presented with the award on Wednesday, 25 November 2020 by members of Tom's family.

If you would like to join Tom’s family in remembering him and showing your support for paramedic students at Flinders University, please donate today to the Tom Sutherland Engagement Prize.

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