Amie Ebarb has been an integral part of Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service for seven years. As a dedicated Emergency Medical Technician, she tirelessly serves her community during critical moments. But Amie’s passion extends beyond the ambulance—she thrives at public events, where she interacts with people of all ages.
What truly sets Amie apart is her connection with children. She has a magical way of making them feel safe and understood. Whether it’s bandaging a scraped knee or explaining the importance of emergency preparedness, Amie’s warmth and enthusiasm shine through. Amie loves to don the EMS superhero costume! She becomes a real-life hero for the kids, teaching them about emergencies while igniting their imaginations.
Amie Ebarb embodies the spirit of compassion, courage, and community. Her unwavering commitment to saving lives and educating the next generation makes her an invaluable asset to Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service.
Amie is a 2024 Oklahoma Ambulance Association Star of Life.
Cheryl VanSeters joined Life EMS Mobility Division in 2016 as an Emergency Medical Technician after becoming a State of Michigan licensed EMT. Her rapid ascent through the ranks exemplifies her commitment and dedication to the field of emergency medical services. In 2018, Cheryl transitioned to the Control Center as a System Status Controller and by 2020, she had achieved her Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification. Demonstrating a continued passion for excellence, Cheryl became a Field Training Instructor in 2024, focusing on improving training processes and methodologies for new hires.
Cheryl’s role as a mentor is central to her leadership style, characterized by her personal commitment to the professional growth of her colleagues. She is renowned for her ability to tailor her training techniques to suit individual learning styles, ensuring all new dispatchers are well-prepared and confident in their roles. Her proactive approach to workplace challenges and her anticipatory skills ensure smooth operations and a supportive working environment.
Her exceptional leadership and performance have consistently been recognized with top-tier Quality Improvement (QI) scores. Cheryl’s dedication extends beyond her official duties; she is known for volunteering for extra tasks and always being available to assist her peers and the field crews. This commitment was further highlighted when she topped her class at the National Emergency Number Association 911 Center Training Officer course.
Cheryl’s empathy and compassion shine through in every interaction, whether on the phone with a caller or in face-to-face discussions with colleagues and trainees. Her ability to bring joy and positivity to every shift not only uplifts her team but also enhances the overall atmosphere of the Control Center.
Life EMS celebrates Cheryl VanSeters as the 2024 Star of Life, a deserving recognition for someone who puts her heart into her job, positively impacting every person she interacts with and continuously driving change to improve the services at Life EMS.
Patti Ludvig McCartney began her Paramedic career in 1997 with the Life EMS Kalamazoo operation. She served that community with the utmost skill and compassion for two decades. Her passion for the art of paramedicine, coupled with her expertise and mentorship has had an immense impact on the junior associates at Life EMS.
Patti briefly left Life EMS to pursue an ER-based paramedic role at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Her time there was short-lived, when she learned of an opportunity to join the Life EMS Community Paramedic team at TANDEM365, a mobile integrated health program. Her passion for pre-hospital medicine and care at the community level returned her to EMS in order to pursue this novel discipline.
Patti’s journey as a Community Paramedic has been marked by her ability to bridge the gap between traditional emergency medical services and community health care. Recognizing that many medical emergencies stem from unmet long-term health needs, she has been instrumental in creating plans that focus on preventive care and chronic disease management. Her proactive initiatives have not only reduced the number of 911 calls and emergency room visits but also enhanced the quality of life for countless individuals.
One of Patti’s most notable contributions is her work with underserved populations, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with the full spectrum of social determinants of health. She is literally changing lives for the better. Patti consistently goes above and beyond, building strong relationships with her patients, advocating for their needs, and ensuring they receive the appropriate care and resources. Her ability to connect with her patients on a personal level has fostered trust and encouraged adherence to treatment plans, resulting in improved health outcomes.
Patti’s leadership extends beyond direct patient care. As a mentor to fellow paramedics and healthcare professionals, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of community paramedics. Through her guidance, many have adopted her holistic approach, focusing not only on acute medical needs but also on the social determinants of health. Patti’s influence has helped expand the community paramedic program, making it a vital component of the healthcare system in Kalamazoo, Allegan, Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm, and Newaygo Counties.
Patti’s commitment to continuous learning and improvement is another hallmark of her career and stays at the forefront of advancements in paramedicine, regularly participating in professional development and contributing to research aimed at improving community healthcare delivery. Her expertise is widely recognized by her peers and other members of her multidisciplinary team, and she is often sought out for guidance on difficult cases.
Patti’s advocacy for healthcare equity, her passion for preventive care, and her dedication to improving the lives of those most in need have left an indelible mark on the community she serves. She exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a community paramedic: a compassionate healer, a tireless advocate, and a trusted leader.
For her extraordinary service, unwavering commitment, and profound impact on the field of community paramedicine, it is with great pride that Life EMS Ambulance recognizes Patti as a Star of Life.
Keone Bareng currently serves as a Paramedic Supervisor for Life EMS Ambulance of Michigan. He started in Emergency Medical Services in 2002 as an Emergency Medical Technician, then in 2010 he became a licensed Paramedic before progressing to Field Supervisor in 2018.
Keone always does his best to be helpful, and is often the first one to step up when assistance is needed. He has great communication skills and a positive attitude, key leadership traits that are greatly appreciated by all of his associates at Life EMS. When Keone is on duty you know it will be a good day. He always asks how he can make the day better for his colleagues whether it is visiting the Control Center, moving associates to different stations, or by working in the field with a solo EMT or Paramedic when ALS assistance is needed. Keone interacts positively with everyone he encounters and always represents Life EMS to the highest standard in the communities we serve.
Keone is well-deserving of this recognition due to his extraordinary efforts to deliver skill and compassion to his patients, customers, and associates. Life EMS is proud to celebrate Keone as a 2024 Star of Life.
Robyn Asher has been with Priority Ambulance since its inception, serving as the Training and Quality Assurance Manager for East Tennessee. She instructs EMT programs, coordinates in-service and new employee training, manages the controlled medication program, liaises with the Medical Director, and oversees the state audit. Robyn previously worked as a field EMT and Critical Care Paramedic, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to EMS. She also contributes as an evaluator for Tennessee EMS practical testing.
Robyn’s dedication to EMS extends to her family, as her daughter has followed in her footsteps, completing one of Robyn’s EMT academies and now working as an EMT at Priority Ambulance.
Beyond her professional life, Robyn is passionate about horses and serves as President of a non-profit horse club. She has mentored many young people through 4H clubs, providing horses for various programs and guiding participants to State Competitions each year.
Priority Ambulance extends its gratitude to Robyn Asher for her unwavering dedication to the EMS profession, the company, and the communities we serve.
Glenn Arremony began his EMS career in 1988. He has contributed his talents to American Ambulance for 33 years, where he currently serves as an Operations Manager, Paramedic, and Quality Assurance Director. American Ambulance is proud to nominate Glenn as a 2024 Star of Life for his lifetime of dedication to the EMS profession.
He first became involved in EMS 36 years ago when he took a First Aid and CPR course before joining a volunteer ambulance service and completing his EMT class in 1989. Glenn graduated from Mohegan Community College’s Paramedic Program in 1991, then was hired by American Ambulance as a Paramedic. He has also been certified as a Critical Care Paramedic since 2011. Glenn has served as American Ambulance’s Director of Quality Assurance since 2000. In this role, he is responsible for the oversight and review of all clinical care as well as Paramedic preceptorship. He has held several other roles throughout his time at American Ambulance, including Lead Paramedic and Crew Chief. Additionally, Glenn is a Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer and has worked as a Paramedic program instructor since 2001.
Glenn Arremony has responded to an estimated 25,000 incidents in his career and has positively impacted countless lives through his care, teaching and mentoring, and his advocacy for the EMS system.
Glenn currently resides in Lisbon, CT with his wife Nina.
Heather Teague has served her community for 26 years. She comes from a proud legacy of public safety as caring for fellow citizens was passed down from her father, a retired firefighter. It is clear that Heather learned from the best as she is now the most sought-after Paramedic Preceptor at Medic.
Heather is known for her knowledge and scene management skills in the field. Her nominations from co-workers describe Heather as, “approachable even on the worst days, caring, and the one that you want taking care of your loved ones.” This trust in her skill and empathy is one of the highest honors an EMS professional can have.
Mecklenburg EMS Agency is proud to recognize Heather as a 2024 Star of Life.
Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service is proud to recognize Taylor Gibson, as a Star of Life.
Since joining in 2018, Taylor has excelled as an Assistant Supervisor and Emergency Medical Dispatcher in Emergency Communications. Colleagues praise Taylor’s exceptional performance. One coworker noted, “Taylor is a true asset to Emergency Communications. His work not only exceeds standards but also significantly impacts patients, providing unparalleled support and care.”
Taylor’s supervisor, Seth Whalen, commends his broad EMS knowledge and dedication: “Taylor often goes above and beyond expectations. He’s a tremendous asset to colleagues and patients alike. His unwavering commitment to positive outcomes for patients, telecommunicators, and EMS staff is evident in all he does. The joy and satisfaction he finds in his work are both apparent and refreshing.”
Outside of work, Taylor is married to Rebecca, a Mayo Clinic nurse. They have a son and two dogs, enjoying cooking and traveling together. Banff National Park, western Montana, and Maine hold special places in their hearts.
Taylor’s stellar performance and positive impact on colleagues and patients alike make him an exemplary choice for the Star of Life recognition.
Taylor has made a positive difference in the lives of many people, and he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and supervisors. He is a valuable member of the EMS community, and he embodies the spirit and purpose of this award.
Samantha joined Acadian Ambulance in 2021 and has been a hardworking team member since. She currently works in Bexar County out of our Schertz station. She is always ready to help out with any task, whether it is cleaning the offices, checking the units, or assisting someone in need. She is skilled and knowledgeable, and someone her team trusts and respects. In early 2024, she graduated from Acadian’s National EMS Academy Paramedic program and is now working as a Paramedic.
Samantha faced many hardships and traumatic experiences throughout her childhood. She found stability and guidance in her grandmother, who served as a pastor and chaplain for the San Antonio Fire Department. It was through her grandmother’s influence that Samantha developed a strong interest in EMS.
She survived a severe car accident when she was 17 years old, where she suffered an aortic dissection, a fractured wrist, and broken ankles.
Through it all, she has remained a positive person and it shows in the work she does. Samantha brightens the halls with her laughter and smile, and she collaborates well with her peers and leadership. In early 2024, she was the recipient of the President’s Performance Award.
Samantha is a mother of six, so she knows how to handle any challenge with efficiency and grace. Samantha said, “Acadian has helped me become a great person and medic. When I come to work, I forget about everything else and just focus on the job at hand. I love helping others, my partner, and new students, as well as meeting new people.”
Mark Dressel is a dedicated Emergency Medical Technician with Hunter’s Ambulance who has distinguished himself within the broader Hartford HealthCare EMS Network.
Known for his unparalleled commitment to EMS, Mark is consistently the first to volunteer for additional shifts and offer his assistance, embodying the very spirit of teamwork that is so essential in mobile healthcare.
Beyond his work ethic, what truly sets Mark apart is his exemplary bedside manner. Patients feel at ease under his care, a sentiment echoed by their families and affirmed by numerous commendations. Moreover, his colleagues hold him in high regard, a testament to the great rapport he has fostered within the team.
In recognizing Mark with the Star of Life Award, we honor not just his technical proficiency, but the warmth and camaraderie he brings to every interaction.
Jason Burn’s exemplary service helped save the life of a patient who was critically injured during a hike and, as a result of injuries sustained, suffered cardiac arrest.
The incident happened in mid-May 2022, when Jason and Flight Nurse Jesse Mascarenas risked their own safety to help the patient who fell 200 feet down a mountain slope in cold and rainy weather. Jason and Jesse were able to stabilize the patient until he could be flown to the nearest Level I trauma center.
While the patient lost one leg the next day, the individual made excellent progress in regaining his neurological function. Today, thanks to the intervention provided by Jason and Jesse, the patient is working towards a full recovery, even exercising on a prosthetic leg.
Paramedic John “Bearpaw” Rossmiller has been serving the Great Falls community as an EMS responder for over twelve years. He is admired for his clinical excellence, compassionate care, leadership, and sense of humor.
John is married to Willow who is a Family Mental Health Therapist; they have three children and love traveling around the state playing hockey.
Rossmiller is being honored as a Star of Life for his selfless and unflagging service over the years as well as the support and encouragement he always supplies to his EMS colleagues.
John Rossmiller is being honored by the Montana Ambulance Association as the 2023 Montana Star of Life.
What started as a quick lunch for Daniel Yandell and his partner turned into a heartfelt and perhaps lifesaving encounter with a fellow restaurant patron. Daniel and his partner were waiting for their food inside a fast-food restaurant when a man approached them, telling them he was experiencing mental health challenges and suicidal ideation. Daniel sat and talked with the individual, listening, empathizing, and eventually trying to connect the person with resources that could assist.
The dialogue between Daniel and the individual proved to be extremely effective, so much so that the person would go on to request ambulance transport to a hospital for further help. The kindness and empathy that Daniel and his partner showed the patient changed his mind about ending his life and guided him to get help instead.
Daniel and his partner saved a life, over lunch, by simply listening.
When Category 5 Hurricane Ian hit the Atlantic Coast, Danny Workman was one of the first to volunteer for deployment as part of a four-person neonatal team. Previously deployed three times, Danny knew what a valuable service this team would provide.
The neonatal teams’ mission was to provide rotor-wing EMS to newborns in the area impacted by the hurricane. Danny and his team helped lead the transport of many neonates who would otherwise have had limited options during this national disaster.
As one of the first helicopters to land at the area children’s hospital, the teams set off a chain of evacuation flights that would last nearly two days.
For the next 48 hours, the neonatal team worked tirelessly to help safely transport patients from impacted communities to NICUs throughout the state.
A critical thinker who knows how to act fast, Riley Wolfe’s intuition and EMS skills saved multiple lives while on a late-night shift when he and his crew came upon a traffic collision on the freeway.
The crash involved a driver who was trapped and unconscious in a car that was on fire and rapidly spreading. Riley, his student, and his partner quickly made entry to the vehicle. Fortunately, the crew and patient were able to escape harm as the car exploded. The crew then triaged the other passengers in the vehicles and simultaneously treated their patient, who they rapidly moved away from the blaze and into the back of the ambulance.
Riley remained calm and directed the additional resources to the other vehicles involved and told them the best place to stage to ensure everyone’s safety. Once additional AMR resources arrived, Riley and his team transported their patient to the local trauma center before any other public safety resources arrived on scene. Thanks to Riley’s dedication and skill, the patient ultimately survived.
On an evening in late November 2022, Bill Weber and his partner made a discovery that would eventually result in Bill rescuing multiple people from a fire.
It happened when the two EMS professionals were returning from a long-distance transfer. That is when they noticed a strong orange glow around the community of Desert Hills. When the two went to investigate, they realized they were the first ones on-scene of a multiple-vehicle fire that was adjacent to a mobile home park, which was also beginning to catch on fire.
As Bill, a former firefighter, exited the ambulance, several people stated there were occupants in the mobile home who were trapped. Knowing he had little time to act, Bill entered and found multiple occupants still inside. He directed everyone to exit the structure, but two elderly residents were unable to move quickly enough to escape in time. Bill then took the first patient in a firefighter’s carry and moved them out to the street. He then reentered and did the same with the second patient.
Bill’s swift actions ensured all four occupants were out of the structure and unharmed. He then assumed medical command and coordinated with the incoming ambulances to provide care.
Michael Taboniar is passionate about providing quality EMS to the Kaua’i community, a service he’s done for the past 28 years. Born and raised on this small island, Michael has taken a personal approach to ensuring that his “home” has the resources and personnel to ensure residents get the mobile healthcare they need when they need it.
A lecturer and assistant instructor in EMS at Kapi’olani Community College, Michael is enthusiastic about promoting the EMS profession through education. This past year, he taught a class of 20 new EMTs and led advanced courses for other EMS professionals. He was also instrumental in creating a community training center on the Kaua’i Community College campus where all active AMR providers can gain hands-on training on new tools and devices.
An EMS advocate who cares deeply about his community’s well-being, Michael is an avid volunteer who has often served as a standby EMS presence at local sporting events. He also spearheaded mock crash exercises to promote safe driving among high school students.
When the time to provide care at a moment’s notice came on a day in April 2022, Rob Spencer sprang into action. The call involved a young child, who had been riding on a mower when he was run over by the very vehicle he had been riding. Rob arrived to find this child still under the mower with horrific injuries. The injuries were so severe that Rob was forced to make a decision that could have drastic consequences for this young boy.
By the time the child was freed from the mower, an air ambulance was hovering overhead. Rob continued to treat and stabilize the child as the aircraft made its way to the designated landing zone.
Unfortunately, there was an issue that resulted in the grounding of the air ambulance. Rob then made the tough decision to make the lengthy transport with the unstable child by ground.
Through expert and rapid assessment and treatment, the child made it safely to the local children’s hospital. The young man had to endure multiple surgeries but was able to recover and return to a near-normal childhood.
Brad Sparks’ commitment to safety is credited for averting a possibly unfavorable situation.
During what was supposed to be a routine flight returning to base, Brad alerted the pilot that he was well below the established minimums for the instrument approach, which resulted in the pilot performing a go-around procedure and climbing out of the clouds. After the pilot initiated the procedure, he successfully landed the aircraft at a nearby airport.
As the base safety representative, Brad was able to quickly identify the issue, make a recommendation and save the crew from a potentially bad outcome.
During a mountain rescue call, Jay Shintaku responded to an emergency where a person had been thrown from a horse and suffered a severe, uncontrolled head bleed after hitting a rock.
Upon arriving at the scene via the sheriff’s department’s helicopter, Jay quickly began administering treatment and realized the severity of the patient’s condition. He convinced the pilot to fly directly to the trauma center due to the urgent nature of the situation. The patient was at risk of bleeding out and had multiple fractured vertebrae, making any delay in transport or transfer of helicopters potentially fatal.
Thanks to Jay’s swift and persuasive action, the patient received timely medical attention and survived the ordeal, with the hope of one day riding horses again.
