2021-2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards: Ted Van Horne
The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually by each of RIT’s nine colleges, the School of Individualized Study, and the Graduate School to alumni who have performed at the highest levels of their profession or who have contributed to the advancement and leadership of civic, philanthropic, or service organizations. It is the highest award an RIT college can bestow upon its alumni. The 2021-2022 recipients were honored during presentations throughout the spring semester.
College of Health Sciences and Technology honoree: Ted Van Horne BS ’99
Applied arts and sciences, health systems administration certificate
Chief Operating Officer, Global Medical Response
What is your favorite RIT memory?
“In 1991, while volunteering for RIT Ambulance, I was able to accompany President Carter when he was meeting with students and faculty. Our discussions about his naval service—which was similar to my father’s period of service—philanthropy, and service to community made a tremendous, positive impression on me.”
What is your career highlight to date?
“Managing through the COVID pandemic has been the biggest responsibility I have ever had. One period was especially intensive. We had to organize and deploy more than 2,000 paramedics and 600 ambulances to New York City and New Jersey during the beginning months of the pandemic. With very little notice, and candidly no playbook, we had responsibility for all these people who were heading into the unknown. I knew one thing for certain, that they were all counting on me to make good decisions and watch over them. I look on that time with tremendous pride for these first responders.”
Topics
Recommended News
-
November 21, 2024
![Various people put their hands together in a circle.]()
Americans agree more than they might think − not knowing this jeopardizes the nation’s shared values
An essay written by Lawrence Torcello, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, published by The Conversation.
-
November 21, 2024
!['an illustrated image of a pixelated face appears next to the words real or fake.']()
Detecting digital deception
Today, artificial intelligence is being used to manipulate media. At RIT, a team of student and faculty researchers is leading the charge to help journalists and intelligence analysts figure out what is real and what is fake. Their work has more than $2 million in funding from the National Science Foundation and Knight Foundation.
-
November 21, 2024
![two men sit at a table looking at a laptop. A third man leans over the table to look at the laptops screen.]()
In and out of Africa
Africa is rich in natural resources and contains one of the most diverse ecosystems across the globe. The Sahara Desert itself is larger than the continental United States. With all the unique landscapes, wildlife, and growing urban areas, more than 30 RIT faculty have recognized the importance of traveling to the continent, all backed by RIT Global.
-
November 20, 2024
!['Five black men stand in a semicircle in a small garden in Kenya.']()
RIT professor helps to tackle energy access in rural Africa
Williams’ collaborative work tackles the subject of energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015, the United Nations established Sustainable Development Goal 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
