About Michael Denman

A huge smile and a heart the size of, well...Texas. These are most likely the first two in a long list of wonderful traits anyone who knew Michael S Denman would mention. And his gift to be able to touch peoples lives was something he was blessed with from a very young age.

Michael was born in a small town in East Texas. He and his 3 sisters were raised by a single parent in South Sacramento. He graduated from Valley High School where he was on the track and football teams. He always carried with him his signature sense of humor. His career aspirations were always evolving, ranging from wanting to be the guy who puts the eraser in the pencil to the guy who painted the "M" on M&M's. He was someone who worked for and appreciated everything that he had. Mike always accepted people for who they were and even if he hadn't seen someone for a few weeks, months or years, he would talk to them like he had seen them only yesterday.

Mike's lifelong love of music culminated in the forming of the band “Addict Merchants.” With a few CD releases to their names, they had the opportunity to travel to perform a variety of shows. Their travels even took them to other countries like Costa Rica and Cuba. Michaels music reflected his awareness of issues throughout the social consciousness and spoke to people from nearly any walk of life. Even after eventually leaving the band, Mike would continue to write music.

After finishing his degree at San Jose State, Michael refocused his energies on beginning a career path that would allow him to not only touch peoples lives, but to save them as well. A career in Emergency Medical Services was a natural fit and he began his career with Medic Ambulance as an EMT in the late 1990's. From the beginning Michael was a star not only in the eyes of his peers but to his patients as well, as his warm nature and beaming smile would put anyone at ease.

From Medic Ambulance Michael moved to American Medical Response where he would spend the majority of his years with the company serving the citizens of Yolo County. Mike would resume his education and move up to the position of Paramedic, a position that give him the tools and skills to be an even greater asset to the community. It came as no surprise to anyone who knew Michael when he began devoting his time to creating community outreach programs throughout the Sacramento valley. Michael single handedly created the “Stuff the Bus” canned food drive which encouraged the public to come out and drop off canned food which was loaded into the back of an ambulance. By also enlisting fire and police departments throughout the region, Michael helped bridge relations between the public and those entrusted with their care. The food drive was a tremendous success bringing in over 4,000 pounds of food in the very first year. It continues to this day in his name and helps bring much needed donations to the food banks in Sacramento, Yolo and Placer counties.

His efforts were not only focused on the community but within AMR's internal organization as well. Michael was a champion of employee morale and continuing education for paramedics and EMT's. Michael's own thirst for education combined with his strong and resolute work ethic was always pushing him to do more. Michael had completed all prerequisite courses and was working towards his next goal of becoming a physician assistant.

The Michael S Denman Foundation was founded by Michael's family, friends and coworkers who knew him best. It's mission is to implement the ideals and beliefs Michael had to help create positive change in the lives of others. From scholarships for EMT and Paramedic school to creating after school sports and music programs, the MSD Foundation is helping to create positive changes in peoples lives and in the community by upholding the values and spirit Michael carried.