Dr. Stanley M. Zydlo, who long led the emergency medical services at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, was instrumental in establishing the nation's first multi-community system for paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Known as a visionary ahead of his time, Zydlo transformed the landscape of emergency care by pioneering initiatives that aimed to save countless lives.
"Stan was a pioneer whose vision was unmatched," said former Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins. "His dedication and innovation have been pivotal in saving so many lives."
Zydlo, who passed away at the age of 81 due to cardiac arrest on June 3 at Northwest Community Hospital, had been battling declining health for some time. Born and raised on Chicago’s West Side, he was the son of Stanley Zydlo Sr., a prominent figure who served as the 26th Ward alderman for over a decade.
After completing his medical degree at Loyola University, Zydlo joined the Air Force as a flight surgeon during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His responsibilities included assessing the physical and mental fitness of pilots and crew members tasked with flying nuclear-equipped planes. This role often required him to accompany these missions, providing firsthand experience in high-pressure situations.
Leaving the military in 1963, Zydlo began practicing medicine in Wabash, Indiana. By 1969, he relocated to Chicago to join the emergency room at Northwest Community Hospital. It was here that he identified a critical gap—ambulances transporting trauma victims lacked trained medical personnel, missing crucial opportunities for immediate care.
Prompted by this realization, Zydlo collaborated with Larry Pairitz, Mount Prospect’s fire chief, to introduce EMT training classes for firefighters. Over time, these efforts expanded to include neighboring communities. Partnering with an activist named Janet Schwettman, Zydlo successfully advocated for statewide standards mandating paramedic services within fire departments.
Initially met with skepticism from medical professionals, Zydlo remained steadfast. "Doctors were skeptical at first," he recalled in a 1994 interview. "But my philosophy has always been simple: let’s focus on saving lives." During his advocacy campaigns, Zydlo personally trained firefighters in advanced lifesaving techniques.
In August 1972, Governor Richard Ogilvie signed legislation approving the paramedic system. The following month, Northwest Community Hospital implemented its Mobile Intensive Care System. Within months, nine towns—including Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, and Palatine—formed a collaborative emergency medical services network. Today, this consortium comprises 25 agencies, including 22 fire departments and three private ambulance services.
Throughout his career, Zydlo continued to serve as the medical director of the EMS system while training new paramedics and EMTs. In a remarkable twist of fate, he benefited directly from the system he helped establish when he experienced a heart attack at home in 1978. "The paramedics saved me," he later recounted. "There’s no question about that."
In recognition of his contributions, a fire station in Palatine was named in his honor in 1997. Reflecting on his legacy, Zydlo once remarked, "No one should perish simply because they lack the title 'MD.' Yet that’s exactly what happened—and still happens—across the country. If you don’t receive care before reaching the hospital, even the best doctor won’t be able to help."
This groundbreaking work earned Zydlo widespread admiration and gratitude. His relentless pursuit of progress ensured that countless individuals received timely, life-saving interventions. Even beyond his death, his impact continues to resonate through the systems he pioneered.
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