Wednesday, Dec. 14 2011 8:19AM
Hospital official is Mrs. Missouri
Lee's Summit resident Tina York, the reigning Mrs. Missouri, is the EMS relations director for HCA Midwest Health System.
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closeTina York, the EMS relations director for HCA Midwest Health System, is the reigning Mrs. Missouri America.
York, a Lee’s Summit resident, was crowned at a pageant in Branson recently, achieving a goal she set for herself four years ago.
The crown, sash and opportunity to create a platform for breast cancer awareness with the Susan G. Komen Foundation are exciting byproducts of York’s win. But what she relishes more than the title, media appearances or representing the state of Missouri on the televised Mrs. America Pageant in is the example she sets for her children, she said.
“Regardless of the outcome of that competition, I’ve followed through with a goal I set for myself; I’ve demonstrated perseverance to my kids,” York said. “That’s a priceless lesson.”
York chose breast cancer as a rallying point during her year as Mrs. Missouri America. She lost a grandmother to the disease and participates in walks and other activities to shine a light on the importance of early detection. In August 2011, York joined friends for the 60-mile 3 Days for a Cure walk in Chicago. “It was an amazing experience – humbling, exciting, inspiring, emotional,” said York, who personally raised $2,300 for the walk.
York continues to make public appearances on the topic of breast cancer.
“When you have a title or a crown it’s bigger than a microphone – it’s a bullhorn,” she said. “People will stop, look and listen. Though Mrs. Missouri America goes away in April – unless I win the crown in the national competition – I am still Tina, with a commitment to raising awareness about breast cancer.”
Before joining HCA Midwest, York served as an emergency medical technician-paramedic for 15 years with the Kansas City Fire Department. A self-professed adrenaline junkie, the 35-year-old mother of three said she is passionate about helping people in crisis situations. But nearly two years ago, York traded in her paramedic’s uniform in favor of a corporate dress code when she accepted the position with HCA Midwest.
It was a tough decision for York to leave her EMT-paramedic job. But York now has weekends free to spend with her husband, Dave; 14- and 12-year-old daughters; and 9-year-old son.
As EMS Relations Director for HCA Midwest, York now works on the flip side of patient care, conducting education for paramedics and EMTs.
