Rockland County Legislator Itamar J. Yeger recently recognized Akiva Zidell for his dedication to emergency medical service, community leadership and his growing career in healthcare.
Zidell has volunteered with the Spring Hill Community Ambulance Corps since 2022, responding to emergency calls while steadily taking on additional leadership responsibilities within the organization. After serving as a mentor and corresponding secretary, he became president of Spring Hill EMS this year. Spring Hill EMS currently lists Zidell as its president, and Reuters identified him in that role during coverage of the July heat wave in Rockland County.
His service was recognized earlier this year when Rockland County EMS named him the 2025 Basic Life Support Provider of the Year, honoring his work as an EMT, mentor and field training officer.
Zidell is also pursuing a career in nursing. He was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and graduated from nursing school in August alongside his sister, Chemda Gabay.
Public service and healthcare have long been part of the Zidell family. His father, Dovid, heads respiratory therapy at Friedwald and has spent years serving the community as a volunteer paramedic with Hatzoloh, while his mother, Tzivie, is an architect.
“What is especially impressive is that Akiva hasn’t waited for his nursing career to begin before giving back,” Yeger said. “He is already doing it — responding to emergencies, mentoring others, leading his ambulance corps and preparing for a profession devoted to caring for people.”
Yeger, who represents District 4 in the Rockland County Legislature, congratulated Zidell on his nursing degree, EMS recognition and leadership, while thanking him for his continued service to the Rockland County community.
