Matthew O’Leary

Matthew O’Leary’s connection to EMS began long before he became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). At age 14, he took his first CPR class at a local health center in Minnesota, taught by EMS professionals whose stories of ordinary people serving their communities stayed with him. Those early lessons ultimately inspired a vocation that has remained an important part of Matthew’s life for more than a decade.

Matthew completed his initial training as a Wilderness EMT in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. He went on to serve with ambulance services and collegiate EMS programs throughout the Greater Boston area while also teaching continuing education, CPR, and first aid. Although his professional path has expanded into faith-based nonprofit leadership, Matthew remains actively involved in EMS as an EMT and Field Training Officer while pursuing a Master of Divinity and serving as a minister.

For Matthew, one of the most meaningful aspects of EMS is the opportunity to bring calm to difficult situations. He takes pride in slowing down chaotic scenes, listening carefully, deescalating when necessary, and creating an environment where excellent patient care can occur. Some of his most memorable calls have not involved dramatic medical interventions, but rather situations that began in turmoil and ended with patients and families feeling safer, heard, and cared for.

One encounter that has remained with Matthew involved a man who had not interacted with the healthcare system in more than 70 years. The patient’s cancer was already in its final stages, but Matthew recognized that listening to his story and helping him navigate the fear and uncertainty of going to the hospital were as important as the medical care itself. Experiences like this have strengthened Matthew’s commitment to seeing every patient as a whole person and advocating especially for children and older adults whose needs may otherwise go unheard.

Matthew also considers the relationships formed through EMS among the profession’s greatest gifts. Years of long shifts and difficult calls have taught him that resilience is rarely developed alone; it is strengthened through trusted partners, mentors, colleagues, and communities that support one another.

That perspective also shapes Matthew’s humility about his own accomplishments. He credits his clinical judgment, communication skills, and ability to manage challenging scenes to the many partners, peers, mentors, nurses, physicians, educators, and patients who have taught him throughout his career. He believes technical competence is essential, but that exceptional EMS professionals are distinguished by their ability to maintain compassion even when they are tired or a call feels routine. What may be another call for a provider can be one of the most significant days of a patient’s life.

Through more than a decade of EMS service, Matthew has demonstrated clinical skill, humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to seeing and serving the person behind every call. These qualities exemplify the spirit of a Star of Life.