Brianne Bourne, Paramedic and Field Training Officer, is the REACT EMS Star of Life for 2014. Paramedic Bourne started her career with REACT EMS in August 2009. She began as a Basic EMT while she attended Oklahoma City Community College for her Paramedic and passed her National Registry. She expertly completed her Field Training and Evaluation Program and has performed proficiently as a Paramedic since. Brianne has cared for her patients and managed her calls with admirable skill. Her fellow medics comment frequently as to her compassion for patients. Her Supervisors commend her work to reliably respond and handle nearly every scene as though she has been doing it for years. In emergencies, they count on Brianne to give patients every chance at positive outcomes. When asked, Brianne says her most memorable call involved a multi-patient MVA, with 5 patients. One was flown, and four were transported to the Trauma Center by two REACT units. Brianne cared for two of those seriously injured patients on scene and during the 45 mile transport. A few months later, the OU Trauma Services held a special event to honor Brianne and her fellow medics. Brianne enjoyed seeing her former patients as they were recovered and able to attend as an example of how excellent trauma care can make a difference. Brianne is so dependable that she is now teaching and training paramedic students. She works part time as an instructor at Gordon Cooper Technology, performs as a preceptor for clinical experience and works as a Field Training Office for REACT. She says she enjoys watching students learn what she knows, enjoys seeing the moments when it starts to “make sense.” New and future paramedics benefit from her efforts. Brianne worked previously in retail and restaurant management and started an education to apply for nursing school. She realized she did not like nursing, continued to work, and started her Basic EMT class 9 years later. She knew quickly that she had found her new career. Brianne says she enjoys the challenges. She says she enjoys the job never being the same, from day to day. Brianne and her husband, David, stay busy on her days off raising their children. They have two children of their own, but they also offer their home for foster children. Brianne says they have at least 3, but have had as many as 9 at any one time. And if that isn’t enough, Brianne also enjoys working as a volunteer for Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps. She teaches and works to provide first aid for large events in the Metro area. Brianne is a vital part of the REACT team and we are proud to recognize her as our 2014 Star of Life.”