Cataldo Ambulance paramedics honored for saving 9-year-old in cardiac arrest

Paramedics Kathan Ramnath and Josef Holmes receive MAA Circle of Excellence Award

The Massachusetts Ambulance Association (MAA) has named Cataldo Ambulance Paramedics Kathan Ramnath and Josef Holmes recipients of its Circle of Excellence Award — recognizing them for one of the hardest calls in emergency medicine. On October 10, 2025, Ramnath and Holmes were dispatched to a nine-year-old girl in cardiac arrest in Revere. When they arrived, firefighters were on scene and a mother was performing CPR on her child. The paramedics stepped in, worked the arrest with focus and precision and adapted continuously to every change in the patient’s condition. She arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital conscious and breathing. The patient had a positive outcome in part to the paramedics, Revere firefighters and the actions of the girl’s mother.

“These honorees represent the very best of what EMS looks like in Massachusetts. Their actions remind us why this work matters,” said MAA president Dennis Cataldo. “They speak for the thousands of EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and support professionals across the state who show up every day, ready to do whatever it takes for the people in their care. We’re proud to stand with them.”

Earlier this year the Revere City Council also honored Ramnath and Holmes — along with RFD Lieutenant Michael Forte, Firefighters George Levasseur and Garret McMahon of Revere Engine 5 and Revere Police Officers Daniel Redding and Jagger DiCenso — for their collective work in this extraordinary save.

MAA proudly serves as the voice of Emergency Medical Services across the Commonwealth. Representing ambulance providers in Massachusetts, MAA champions the interests of its members and patients and the future of pre-hospital care. For more information, visit massambulance.org.