The folks at Acadian Ambulance Service are more like family than medics to Oweda Proctor.

They are with her during doctor’s appointments and treatments, holding her hand and giving encouragement, and they even relay medical information to her family.

On Friday, Proctor organized a thank-you event, where she presented a plaque, certificates and cake to “Team Oweda,” as she called them, outside her apartment.

Oweda Proctor, center, shares a moment with Acadian Ambulance Service employees who have worked with her for the past two years outside her apartment on Friday. She presented a plaque, certificates of appreciation and a cake to the people she calls “Team Oweda.”
Mary Meaux/The News

The Port Arthur woman has suffered various illnesses through the years and has been in touch with the service regularly since 2014. She wants others to know what they do.

“We always can talk about something bad but not something good,” Procter said. “They are more than an ambulance service.”

Clint Duncan and Lori Gallier were caring for Procter and familiar with her medical issues, so when she became ill in January, they took heed.

“She wasn’t Oweda that day,” Gallier said.

Jon Clingaman, operations manager for Acadian Ambulance Service, left, receives a plaque of recognition from Oweda Procter, right.
Mary Meaux/The News

The emergency medical workers noted some changes in Proctor’s condition that led to her being sent to a hospital in Galveston, where she spent eight days in the intensive care unit with septic shock.

“I took sick and didn’t know how sick I was,” Procter said. “Come to find out, if they wouldn’t have brought me to John Sealy (in Galveston) I may not be here today.”

Proctor has even given Duncan a nickname — Mama Clint.

“Clint has been with me from the first. He became Mama Clint last year when I almost lost my leg. It had become real bad, the wound didn’t look good,” she said.

During wound care treatments Duncan would sit and hold Procter’s hand.

“I was in so much pain. He would say, ‘You can do it,’” she said. “I can be very contrary, ready to quit. I didn’t want to go to wound care. He became like a mama to me. Holding my hand, talking me through it, and when I went through breast cancer, they were there from beginning to the end.”

Duncan was one of a number of Acadian employees on hand for the event.

“This is nothing we expect, but it’s always great to feel the recognition for the work we do. It’s not always noticed,” Duncan said. We truly appreciate this. We’ve become family with the people in the community.”

Jon Clingaman, Acadians operation manager, was happy to see the employees receive the recognition.

“It’s outstanding to see our employees and team members receive the recognition,” Clingaman said, adding they provide care with heart.

The Rev. Johnna Nico, second from left, leads the group in prayer.
Mary Meaux/The News

Proctor spoke to the small group gathered near her apartment, explaining the Acadian employees also provide her transportation to doctors appointments and made it possible for her to go to New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church to see her grandchild christened.

The Rev. Johnna Nico of God Chasers Generation Outreach Ministry, provided prayer at the event, and her son, DeAndre Nico, a local Christian recording artist, lent his voice to the song “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

Port Arthur Mayor Deloris “Bobbie” Prince and Councilwoman Tiffany Hamilton were also on hand for the event.

Email: mary.meaux@panews.com

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