Miranda Welch

Southern Paramedic Service is honored to nominate EMT and Paramedic student Miranda Welch as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life. During her first year of service with Southern Paramedic Service, Miranda has consistently demonstrated exceptional clinical judgment, compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the patients and communities she serves.

During what initially appeared to be a routine transport, Miranda cared for a dialysis patient she had transported on numerous occasions. Because she had taken the time to truly know her patient over multiple encounters, she immediately recognized subtle but significant changes in his mental status and behavior. While these changes may have been dismissed by someone unfamiliar with the patient’s baseline, Miranda trusted her assessment and knew something was seriously wrong.

Rather than simply returning the patient to the nursing facility as originally planned, Miranda advocated for the patient and made the critical decision to divert to the emergency department for immediate evaluation. Upon arrival, a Code Stroke was activated. The patient was diagnosed with an acute stroke and received timely intervention. Follow-up confirmed that, because of Miranda’s quick recognition and decisive actions, the patient received the treatment he needed and ultimately made a full recovery.

Miranda’s actions exemplify the very best of emergency medical services. She demonstrated that exceptional patient care extends beyond protocols and vital signs; it requires experience, compassion, critical thinking, and the courage to speak up when something does not seem right. Her commitment to knowing her patients and advocating for them directly changed the course of this patient’s life.

Miranda consistently embodies the mission of Southern Paramedic Service through professionalism, clinical excellence, and selfless service. Her dedication to her patients and the EMS profession makes her an outstanding representative of ambulance services nationwide.

Miranda is an outstanding EMT who will make an excellent Paramedic. She is also a trusted colleague and dedicated public servant whose character and accomplishments merit this distinguished recognition. Southern Paramedic Service is proud to recognize Miranda Welch as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life.