Since Nicole Tyson’s first day at Medic in 2011, she has consistently performed vitally important duties in support of Medic’s revenue cycle with excellent attention to detail and diligence.
Her colleagues rave that “Nicole is a leader within the department and an exemplary employee. She helps guide and support her co-workers and advocates for patients.”
Nicole is responsible for enrollment and billing compliance with governmental payors, which include critical processes that allow the Agency to meet its mission. Nicole executes her duties all behind the scenes with little recognition.
During her tenure, Nicole was a key part in 2011 when Medic successfully brought Medic’s billing department in-house. Her work was also critical for enhancements to Medic’s online patient portal.
Nicole has always had a sincere desire to help others and was drawn to the healthcare field, and though not on the front lines she still finds ways to make a difference every opportunity she gets. Nicole is from Stanley, NC and has lived in the Charlotte area for over 30 years. She enjoys volunteering with youth groups, church, camping, fishing, and beekeeping.
Medic is proud to honor Nicole Tyson as a 2023 Star of Life.
Andrew “Drew” Smith began his career at Medic in 2003 and is currently an Operations Supervisor. Drew is best known as an employee advocate and mentor, which has been proven invaluable over the last two decades.
Drew has spearheaded the Crew Chief promotional process for the last seven years, contributing to the advancement and growth of employees as they transition into their own leadership positions.
Drew’s nominations also highlight his exceptional level of selflessness, kindness, professionalism, and a sense of calm during times of difficulty. Drew’s colleague noted, “When there were times that I thought I couldn’t do my job anymore, he was always there to remind me that he supported and believed in me.”
Drew is originally from Missoula, Montana, and has called the Charlotte area home for the last 20 years. Drew has always loved working in public service, first being inspired to work in EMS after taking an EMT class to aid in helping elderly clients at one of his first jobs. He was hooked ever since.
Drew is an avid Seattle sports fan and most loves spending time with his family. Medic is proud to honor Drew Smith as a 2023 Star of Life.
Throughout her 24 years of service at Medic, Beth has been known to be dedicated to Medic’s mission. She is a passionate educator and an advocate for improvement.
In addition to her roles as Paramedic Crew Chief, Field Training Officer, and Driver’s Instructor, Beth is also invested in the future of both Medic and EMS as an industry by participating in over 20 improvement project teams.
Beth cites mentoring as one of her proudest experiences at Medic, such as her time as a field training officer to new EMTs and Paramedics, many of whom are now doctors and physician associates and still refer to her as “Mama Beth.” Beth also participated in Medic’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic and was an instructor for Medic’s first in-house EMT credentialing program.
Beth’s colleagues note that she is, “a true example of professionalism. Beth’s dedication to patient and employee advocacy is unmatched in the agency.” Her nominations highlight her goodwill, sense of honor in the workplace, strong character, accountability, and an innate desire to excel.
During her off-time, Beth enjoys volunteering for various charities and elementary schools, traveling, doing anything outdoors, and visiting with family. She was inspired to work at EMS due to the incredible healthcare professionals who cared for her grandparents, including a Medic crew. Medic is honored to celebrate Beth as a 2023 Star of Life.
Stephanie launched her EMS career in 1994 in Ontario, Canada. She worked at Toronto Paramedic Services in numerous roles including Commander.
In 2019, Stephanie joined Life EMS in the Mobility Division. Since then, she has progressed through several roles, including working on the ambulance. She was promoted to Supervisor in 2021. Today, Stephanie is the Mobility Supervisor and Behavioral Health Transport Liaison for Life EMS Ambulance
Stephanie is hard-working, reliable, and thoughtful. She consistently exceeds the expectations of her colleagues, patients, and customers. She is deeply kind, and always checks in with coworkers to see how they are doing. The associates rely on her for advice and help.
Stephanie is truly deserving of this recognition, and Life EMS Ambulance is proud to celebrate her dedication, skill, and compassion.
Mason Meadows has been a dedicated member of the REACT Emergency Medical Service team for more than five years. During this time he has progressed from EMT to a Paramedic.
Mason’s colleagues applaud his positive attitude and reliability. Coworkers note that he is “dependable, and keeps his truck impeccable,” is a “great Paramedic and partner,” and that, “you can count on Mason during critical calls.”
Outside of REACT EMS, Mason balances family life with his wife, Brittany, and their children, Kaiden, Chandler, and Colton. He also volunteers at the Maud Oklahoma Fire Department and has a passion for trout fishing and gardening.
Thank you, Mason Meadows, for all you do for REACT EMS and the communities we serve. REACT EMS is proud to name Mason Meadows a 2023 Star of Life.
Gage Askew has lent his talents to REACT EMS for more than five years. Gage serves in many roles at REACT, including Paramedic, Field Training Officer, and Relief Supervisor.
Quotes from Gage’s coworkers note that he, “sets a great example for new employees,”, is “always willing to help,”, and has“great knowledge of REACT EMS operations.”
When not serving the citizens of REACT’s response area, Gage enjoys spending time with his wife Aubrey, and their children, Talon, Blakely, and Graycen. In his free time, Gage enjoys camping with his family, fishing, and being outdoors.
Thank you, Gage Askew, for all you do for REACT EMS and the communities we serve. REACT is proud to honor Gage Askew as a 2023 Star of Life.
Tiffany joined REACT EMS in January 2015, when she came to work in the Billing office. Since that time, Tiffany has attended EMT school and earned her EMT license. Tiffany has continued her education and is a Certified Ambulance Coder, Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer, Certified Ambulance Privacy Officer, and Certified Documentation Specialist. Tiffany currently serves as the Billing Supervisor and oversees all aspects of the revenue cycle management for REACT EMS’s 13,000-14,000 calls per year.
Along with her billing responsibilities, Tiffany makes use of her EMT certification by filling in on trucks when the service is short, or the call volume is high. She also steps up to cover special events and most recently responded to assist REACT EMS after a tornado struck Shawnee. She valiantly left her own family to care for the citizens of our community.
Tiffany is very well-liked among our employees and has a reputation for being very dependable and goal-oriented. REACT EMS runs more smoothly and efficiently thanks to her efforts.
Tiffany is married to her beloved husband, Rantz. She has two children and four stepchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family and cruising the Caribbean.
REACT is honored to recognize Tiffany Allen as a 2023 Star of Life.
Mason Pereira has worked for REACT EMS since January 2015. Shortly after joining REACT, Mason earned his Paramedic certification and has worked as a REACT Paramedic since that time. Mason also currently serves as a field training officer and relief supervisor at REACT. Mason has worked multiple schedules to meet the needs of his community. He is always ready to lend a hand to colleagues as they work together to surmount challenges and provide excellent care to patients.
Mason’s co-workers note that he “is very knowledgeable,” and is “a brilliant teacher”. Mason is also known as a very caring and compassionate Paramedic who is always willing to help anyone in need. When asked about his favorite part of EMS, Mason said, “I like to be the one that people call for help because I know what to do in an emergency.”
Mason is married to Jessica, and they are proud parents to three children. In his spare time, Mason enjoys spending time with his family and artwork, such as drawing. He also considers himself quite the movie buff.
It is with great pleasure that we present Mason Pereira as a 2023 REACT EMS Star of Life.
Rescue Inc. is proud to recognize Todd Perry as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to our community and the EMS profession, going above and beyond the call of duty in every aspect of his work. Todd’s got that spark.
In 1987, Todd joined the fire department as a volunteer, and began responding to fire and rescue calls. Without medical training, Todd felt that his ability to help was limited. Todd is not the type of individual to stay limited, so he sought training to become an Emergency Care Assistant. He then quickly earned his EMT license. He’s got that spark.
Todd joined Rescue Inc in 2005, and since then has been literally saving lives daily. In 2006, he became an EMT-Intermediate. Next, he earned two associate degrees and his RN license in 2012 and 2014, respectively. After completing the requirements to become an Advanced EMT in 2014, he completed a bridge program to earn his national Paramedic license in 2017. He continued to advance his practice as both RN and Paramedic, and by the end of 2018, he had become certified in critical care in both fields.
Todd is deeply committed to continuous learning and actively seeks out opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills, ensuring that he remains at the forefront of best practices in medicine. Todd is a mentor and a teammate, and in 2021 and 2022, his peers awarded him ALS Provider of the Year. Now in 2023, Todd is a leading provider of our prehospital point-of-care ultrasound program and an experienced Critical Care Paramedic. He is also involved with the new rapid sequence intubation program at the agency. He hopes to advance his practice as a critical care provider to offer the best outcomes he can to all those in need. He is currently working full-time positions as both a Critical Care Paramedic and a Critical Care Nurse. He’s got that spark.
Todd feels that his dual Paramedic and nursing professions are interconnected and complement one another. During the pandemic, growing concerns that the healthcare system was going to become overwhelmed weighed heavily on Todd. He asked if he could assist by doing “Just-In-Time” training sessions for nurses and other providers not familiar with critical care, including ventilators. He felt that the best way to help the community as a whole was to prepare as many providers as possible to assist in the most challenging of circumstances. Fortunately, COVID was not as deadly in Vermont as it was elsewhere. However, Todd was able to prepare more than 100 providers to assist should the need have emerged. He’s got that spark.
Todd is the guy you want to see: He’s the guy you want to see if you are a new EMT on your first day looking for friendly guidance; he’s the guy you want to see if you are injured or sick and afraid; he’s the guy you want to see in the ER as your nurse or in your home as your Paramedic. Todd is that guy; he’s got that spark.
Todd lives with his wife, two children, 45 sheep, 20 chickens, and three dogs on his 18-acre farm in a town of 869 folks. When he’s not working or studying, he enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, and making improvements to his 150-year-old farm house. He is a shining example of the kind of dedicated and compassionate professional that this award was created to honor. He’s got that spark.
Rosemary Mitts, a Savannah native, was raised around the world as a child in a military family. She was imbued with a strong work ethic and learned the importance of dedicating her life to a purpose. Her grandfather was a strong influence in her decision to choose healthcare as a profession as he was a medic in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Rosemary’s mother, a 911 dispatcher in a nearby county, taught her many lessons in life to make her a strong and independent woman. In fact, she worked three jobs while putting herself through EMT school at night! Sadly, her mother, Maria, died suddenly shortly after Rosemary graduated from EMT school. However, Maria remains an inspiration and role model.
Rosemary began her career at Chatham Emergency Services as an EMT. Eager to learn and striving to provide the absolute most she could to her patients and community, she soon began Paramedic school. Rosemary earned her medic license but wasn’t done yet. She next wanted to expand her contributions to include teaching others to be EMS providers. She quickly progressed through the ranks of preceptor, instructor, field training officer, and now Lieutenant. Rosemary has been successful in mentoring many EMT recruits and new EMTs who later became outstanding Paramedics themselves. She has also earned several instructor certifications and teaches basic life support to members of the community while proudly representing Chatham Emergency Services.
Rosemary is eager to learn, continues to strive for improvements within the organization, and goes the extra mile to ensure the best possible care for the community.
From a personal perspective, as the oldest of three children including an autistic brother, Rosemary was born to care for others and be responsible and reliable, while helping her single mother raise her brother and sister. Rosemary is the mother of two amazing sons, Peter and Liam. In her off time, in between studying for her critical care certification, Rosemary is raising her sons to be strong, caring, adventure-seeking, and fun-loving young men.
Rich began his EMS career in Honolulu nearly 20 years ago. Last year, he returned to his roots when he relocated to Western Wisconsin.
Rich is passionate about mobile healthcare and has embraced the future by spending significant amounts of time mentoring and teaching newer EMS providers.
Rich joined the Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance team less than two years ago. However, he has already had an outsized positive impact due to his many years of Paramedic experience in a larger market. His deep experience coupled with his friendly and helpful personality have greatly helped with the onboarding of new employees and EMS providers.
In his free time, Rich loves the outdoors. He is an avid fisherman and hunter.
Chris has served his community on the Huron Valley Ambulance team since 2016. Chris is considered to be a “unicorn” in EMS as he thrives as a Paramedic in an emergency setting, as well as when acting as a Community Paramedic or Critical Care Paramedic. In a single shift, he may be resuscitating a cardiac arrest, transferring a critically ill patient to a tertiary care center, then providing in-home care to a chronically ill individual.
In addition to his clinical skills, Chris is known for his kind and compassionate personality, which has earned him a reputation among patients and coworkers alike. He consistently goes above and beyond for his patients. Whether it’s a witty joke to lighten the mood or taking the time to educate patients about their conditions, Chris always works in his patients’ best interest. Chris is also known amongst his coworkers as someone who cares about teaching everyone he works with the tangible skills necessary to become a good medic.
His colleagues note that Chris is very knowledgeable and is the best example of what a Paramedic should be.
We are fortunate to have Chris on our team, as he is an excellent example of how to serve as a patient-centered paramedic. Thank you for all you do, Chris; we’re proud to recognize you as a Star of Life!
Emily joined LifeCare Ambulance in 2010 and, since that time, has made a significant positive impact on our organization.
In addition to her roles as a Senior Paramedic and part-time Road Supervisor, she also acts as a Field Training Officer ensuring new employees are equipped with the skills they need to be quality EMS providers.
Emily is known amongst her coworkers for having an infectious positive attitude. She dedicates her time to training others, improving working conditions, and building morale. Emily is also a strong patient advocate. She speaks to her patients and their family members with empathy. She provides skilled, quality care to community members in every encounter.
Recently, Emily has further increased her involvement in Emergent Health Partners / LifeCare Ambulance. For instance, she is currently enrolled in the EMS Instructor-Coordinator class. She was recognized by the Michigan Department of Health & Services for excellence in EMS and outstanding service. Her positive attitude is infectious to both her colleagues and co-responding departments.
Thank you for all you do for your coworkers, patients, and community, Emily! LifeCare Ambulance is proud to recognize you as a Star of Life.
Konrad Trzepizur embarked on his EMS career in 2011. He transitioned into his role as an EMT in New York City when he joined Northwell Health in 2013, where he continued to progress.
Over the past seven years, he has been a model leader in his role as an EMT Supervisor at Lenox Hill Hospital. Konrad’s dedication to service and excellence set the tone for the department. His lead-by-example approach makes him highly respected among his fellow EMS leaders and staff. His passion for helping others is evident in his work ethic.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Konrad was instrumental in ensuring operations continued running and that staff had everything needed to respond safely during the crisis.
In his free time, Konrad enjoys traveling the world. One of his most memorable trips to date was to Australia and New Zealand, where he immersed himself in the culture and cuisine. When not at work, he also enjoys gardening and day trading.
Konrad was selected this year because of his dedication and commitment to excellence. He continues to raise the bar and represents the best of the department and the EMS community.
Northwell Health is proud to honor Konrad as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life!
Anita Torres has served as an EMS provider in New York City for 22 years. Her inspiration for becoming an EMT came as a child when she was engrossed watching the popular TV series Emergency!
Anita has always loved helping people. She is known for going above and beyond the call of duty for both her patients and coworkers. She volunteers to organize holiday and birthday celebrations, enlivening the atmosphere at CEMS.
During a behavioral health emergency call, Anita’s keen situational awareness ultimately led to a mother being reunited with her baby, who had been abducted and transported across several states.
Anita, a mother of 3, lives in Staten Island with her daughter, Rebecca, and grand dogs, Madison and Steve.
Northwell Health is proud to honor Anita as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life!
Kevin Pantaleon started his career in EMS in 2016. He joined the team at Northwell Health Center for Emergency Medical Services in 2019 after obtaining his Paramedic certification. His career with Northwell began during the COVID-19 pandemic where he worked countless hours providing exceptional care in the various communities greatly impacted by the pandemic. Kevin is also very involved in field training. He has been a preceptor and mentor to many Paramedic students. He takes pride in sculpting the minds of up-and-coming providers.
Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology and is working towards his Masters in Emergency Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His goal is to work in Homeland Security and bring his experience and expertise from EMS into that role.
Kevin was adopted from Ecuador and came to the US when he was two years old. While not providing care as a clinician, he enjoys fishing and traveling. One of his most memorable trips included a two-week trip through New York State visiting different national parks. Kevin is a champion for Diversity and Inclusion and an advocate for LGBTQ rights.
Kevin’s peers and students speak very highly of him and CEMS is very proud of his exemplary patient care and work ethic. Northwell Health is proud to honor Kevin as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life!
Kenneth Ortiz Cortez was born in Puerto Rico and came to Brooklyn, New York when he was five years old. His family instilled in him the importance of serving others. The belief in the inherent value of all people, and that everyone is important and should be treated with courtesy and respect runs deep in him.
Kenneth admits that it took a little while for him to figure out that becoming an EMT was what he was destined to do. He knows that some feel that we all choose our own path, but he feels that EMS chose him. He found a home in EMS with like-minded people who all share a common goal of serving and helping others in need. He has worked at various EMS organizations in all of the boroughs of New York City, and we are so fortunate that he landed here at Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital.
Kenny is the embodiment of EMS. He goes above and beyond both while on the ambulance caring for patients and when off duty. He brings the department together whether it is setting up practices and coaching the department softball team or participating and cheering on his teammates in the various Northwell Health events. He is a well-respected member of the department whose contributions go well beyond being a great partner offering the best in pre-hospital care.
Northwell Health is proud to honor Kenneth as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life.
Nicole Hart’s EMS journey landed her at LifeNet in Stillwater, Oklahoma in January of 2020. She quickly drew the respect of her coworkers and developed a camaraderie with others as our nation struggled through the most significant pandemic in a century. Her work with new employees, and EMTs transitioning into medics, made Nicole an excellent candidate to serve as Field Training Officer. After achieving that goal, she successfully competed to become an Operations Supervisor for the area. In addition to her workplace efforts, Nicole became an adjunct faculty member of an initial EMS education program in the state.
These leadership efforts were recognized in the comments of Nicole’s peers as they nominated her to be our 2023 Star of Life. One said, “She goes above and beyond to make the workplace better for everyone and takes a no-nonsense approach to her leadership.” Another comment read, “Nicole is great at teaching new employees and encouraging others to do the same.” The sentiment of many was eloquently captured by one nomination that read simply, “She works (hard) and is always so nice to everyone!”
That recognized approach, and Nicole’s steadfast commitment to quality and learning, recently led Nicole to accept a position as Clinical Services Manager for the region. We are excited to see where she will take our EMS providers with her fresh education opportunities and Quality Improvement initiatives. It should be clear that Nicole represents the best in EMS, and we are proud to have her represent LifeNet.
Tracey Gray serves as the Director of Education at Jan-Care Ambulance Inc., where she is at the forefront of training over 400 emergency services personnel. Under her guidance, Jan-Care has seen innovations in hybrid EMS education, making it accessible, accredited, and always relevant. As she says, “I take pride in developing personnel competently to be ready to work once certified.”
Tracey’s commitment to EMS is rooted in her service to the nation. Beginning her journey at the Army Medical Department, Department of Combat Medic Training in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, she achieved distinction by graduating from the U.S. Army’s pioneering non-segregated combat medic training. Her 26 years of simultaneous service in the Army Reserve and civilian EMS culminated in her retirement as a soldier, but her spirit to serve the community as an EMS leader never waned.
Achieving the rank of 1SG E-8 in the Army, Tracey held profound responsibilities in a Ground Ambulance Unit. Her military training, encompassing combat medic to military-specific medical evacuation procedures, combined with her role as an Army Basic Instructor and Army Reserve Career Counselor, showcases a breadth of leadership and expertise. These accomplishments are underscored by a host of military achievements including the Army Commendation Medal with V Device and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
In the civilian realm, Tracey’s commitment to EMS is unyielding. Having attained her National Registry Paramedic certification 28 years ago, and later her Critical Care Paramedic in West Virginia, she is the clinical helm for critical care at Jan-Care, supervising 30 Critical Care Paramedics. Beyond the ambulance, Tracey has served as a firefighter with the Ansted Certified Fire Department for over a decade, and specializes in Vertical and Swiftwater Rescues within New River National Park.
As an educator, Tracey’s aim is clear: cultivate tomorrow’s leaders. She ardently believes in removing barriers for students and ensuring when they graduate, they are fully equipped for the job. Her mottos, “Train as we fight!” and “BE, KNOW, DO,” encapsulate her philosophy of genuine mentorship and active skill-building. This passion for education is further evidenced by her myriad teaching certifications and her active participation in curriculum development for the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services.
With an educational background that boasts a Certificate in Paramedic, an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership, Tracey is a beacon of knowledge and capability. Yet, at the heart of it all, she remains a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, cherishing her family and the outdoors.
For all her accomplishments, Tracey Gray remains dedicated to the ethos of service, education, and paving the way for future EMS leaders. She is truly deserving of the 2023 Stars of Life award.
Aaron Graves is a go-getter. From his first day at LifeNet, he has always gone above and beyond for his patients and for his coworkers.
Before joining LifeNet, Aaron served in the Army Reserves for six years. Once he graduated college and was engaged to his now wife, he began his career at LifeNet working in dispatch. While serving as a communications professional, he decided to go to EMT school where he experienced his first clinical shift on the ambulance. At that point, Aaron discovered his passion for working in the field.
Aaron worked as an EMT for two years before he became a Paramedic and served for three more years, which was a requirement for working on a helicopter. Aaron saw that he could make a career out of working at LifeNet and “was in everyone’s ear” leading up to his qualification for a position with LifeNet’s Air program. The summer of 2024 will mark eight years of Aaron serving LifeNet patients in almost every capacity possible including dispatcher, EMT, Ground Medic, Field Training Officer, Flight Medic, and—most recently—Air Programs Base Supervisor.
Aaron enjoys the excitement and the community that surrounds him at LifeNet, as every day brings something new, and every call has its own set of challenges. He is described by his team members as, “the epitome of who you want” for someone in this profession. One needs to be patient-centered, a self-starter, and highly motivated to excel in EMS and Aaron possesses all those traits and more.
Jess Gibbs, Director of Specialty Care Services, said of Aaron, “He displays an extraordinary level of empathy, compassion, and enthusiasm for his job. He is always looking for ways to improve, which is evidenced through his continued successes within LifeNet.” Aaron seeks out higher learning opportunities, self-betterment, and continued growth. He promotes education through evidence-based practice while teaching at local EMT and Paramedic programs. Aaron is a humble leader who exemplifies all that LifeNet represents.
On behalf of the LifeNet Air division, we are extremely proud to recognize Aaron’s accomplishments and welcome the opportunity to honor him as a 2023 Star of Life.
