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Archives: Stars

Edgar Bibiano

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Edgar was selected as Community Ambulance’s 2018 Star of Life because of his selfless service at the October 1st incident in Las Vegas.

Community Ambulance was the company contracted to provide medical services at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, and after the attack, Edgar and his partner, Julian Ness, were dispatched to get the injured to the hospital.

Edgar and Julian were one of the first units to arrive outside the venue’s main medical tent, and without hesitation, they began making room for as many patients as they could.

During their first trip to the hospital they transported seven patients at once, including a female who was shot in the neck and another who was shot in the neck twice; a male who was shot in the spine and showed signs of paralysis; a female with a gunshot to her head; a female shot three times in the chest; a female shot in the leg; and a man who had been shot in the abdomen.

They returned to the incident two more times to transport additional patients.

Edgar has been part of the Southern Nevada community for 15 years and has served his community for over year and half. He chose to pursue EMS after realizing the impact that Paramedics made in his twin brother’s life, who lost his life to a brain tumor.

Undeniably, Edgar’s determination and bravery helped to save countless lives that night.

Julian Ness

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Julian was born and raised in Las Vegas, and he became an EMT in 2009. He then moved to Rhode Island, where he served as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for three years with Jamestown Rhode Island Fire Department, and he became a Paramedic in 2015.

In 2016, Julian returned to Las Vegas and joined Community Ambulance.

Community Ambulance was the company contracted to provide medical services at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, and after the October 1st attack last year, Julian and his partner, Edgar Bibiano, were dispatched to get the injured to the hospital.

Julian and Edgar were one of the first units to arrive outside the venue’s main medical tent, and without hesitation, they began making room for as many patients as they could.

During their first trip to the hospital, they transported seven patients at once, including a female who was shot in the neck and another who was shot in the neck twice; a male who was shot in the spine and showed signs of paralysis; a female with a gunshot to her head; a female shot three times in the chest; a female shot in the leg; and a man who had been shot in the abdomen.

They returned to the incident two more times to transport additional patients.

Julian’s determination and bravery helped to save countless lives that night.

In his free time, Julian enjoys aviation and travel, along with watching various sports, including hockey, baseball, and football.

 

Kristen Bias

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Kristen began her career at Muskogee County EMS in 2015 as an EMT. In 2016, Kristen earned her certification as an Advanced EMT and in 2017 she became a Field Training Officer.

In 2017 while on a medical call, a shooting that was not related to her initial call occurred on scene. Kristen immediately triaged the scene to allow for the continued care and safety of her initial patient and partner while also locating the shooting victim and rendering care until another unit could arrive. This call is just one example of why Kristen is known for remaining calm under pressure and showing true leadership. Kristen did not hesitate to go to the aid of the victim even though it was an unsecured scene and her own personal safety was compromised.

Kristen has always had a passion for helping others. She is selfless, hardworking and dedicated. She is always willing to work, whether she is putting in extra shifts, assisting with Public Relations events, or teaching a new employee. She is also known for her positive attitude and smile, no matter how busy her shift has been. In 2017 Kristen was voted by her peers as the the Advanced EMT of the Year.

Kristen is admired by all who know her, most especially by her husband, Matthew. and her children Emma, Tuxie, Jacy, Alex, Caden and Addison. When off-duty, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family at sporting events and boating on the lake. Kristen also enjoys painting and playing with her dog, Lucy.

Because of Kristen’s outstanding professionalism and her exemplary performance, Muskogee County EMS is honored to endorse Kristen Bias for the Oklahoma Ambulance Association Star of Life Award 2018.

Kristen Bias is the Oklahoma Ambulance Association’s 2018 national Star of Life.

Erin O’Grady

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Erin O’Grady has proudly served as a Paramedic at REACT EMS since April 2012. A Westminster, Colorado native, he completed his EMT-Basic and Paramedic training at Gordon Cooper Technology Center after moving to Shawnee. REACT has implemented a sole-Paramedic Response unit in a large, remote portion of their response area. Erin expressed interest and was selected as his primary assignment.

Erin is deeply committed to his patients. He finds the most rewarding part of his job to be the opportunity he has “to care for patients when they are having what may be the worst day they have ever experienced.” This is especially important to Erin as he has elected to work in REACT’s South County unit, which encompasses his own neighborhood. He notes that while it is harder than he imagined to respond to calls for people he personally knows, he values deeply the trust they place in his skills.

One of Erin’s most memorable moments at REACT took place when he was called to care for an eight-year-old girl who had been stung repeatedly by wasps. The young patient was in full anaphylaxis, with hives and respiratory distress. Erin worked quickly and very effectively to stabilize her breathing and reaction while the transport unit responded from so far away. The young patient was fortunate that Erin was close, knowledgeable and skillful.

In addition to serving patients with dedication, Erin works to build strong relationships with REACT’s partners in the remote area it serves. He has worked to meet with volunteer fire fighters and others to improve their knowledge and responses to medical emergencies.

As he looks to the future, Erin plans to continue to build upon REACT’s already-stellar relationship with the public. He will do so through the continuation of our program offering routine health checks for senior citizens, in addition to new and ongoing initiatives to educate citizens about the importance of CPR and the Stop the Bleed program.

When not at work, Erin enjoys spending time with his wife, Shantel, a schoolteacher, as well and his children Ewan, Brennen, and Keira.

With his thoughtful and compassionate dedication, Erin is a leader and role model for his peers and his community. REACT is proud to recognize Erin O’Grady as a 2018 Star of Life.

Michael Gaul, Jr.

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Michael was hired by Metro West in April 2017. His new position as an EMT marked an official milestone in his life—he was transitioning into EMS following four years of service as an active duty U.S. Marine.

The transition between professions was seamless, though, as Michael applied the same levels of commitment, enthusiasm, responsibility, and dependability that he acquired while serving as a Marine. One of Michael’s most commendable traits, simply put, is his willingness to work.

Michael would begin every workweek looking for gaps in the weekly shift schedule, then he’d request to pick up the extra shifts, in addition to his own full-time schedule. If coverage was needed for an early transport or out-of-town movement, Michael was on it.

During the 2017 wild land firefighter season, Michael was constantly picking up extra shifts to provide coverage for EMTs who were either contracted out as wild land firefighters or were volunteering with separate fire agencies. It was Michael’s outstanding work ethic that catapulted him into a full-time position on a medic unit.

Michael continues to push himself as both a professional and a student as he pursues new and additional career opportunities. He earned a Tactical Combat Casualty Care certification and completed Secfor International’s challenging High Risk Medic program in November 2017.

He has undoubtedly raised the bar and set a new standard of excellence that is expected of new hires.

Michael is always quick to acknowledge the support, flexibility, and encouragement he receives from his supervisors, partner, dispatchers, family, and his new fiancée.

Metro West Ambulance is nominating Michael as a Star of Life for his incredible work ethic, consistently professional demeanor, and his adaptive personality.

 

Jason Fleming

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Jason is celebrating his 15th year working as a Paramedic Field Training Officer with Metro West Ambulance, and he is being nominated in recognition of his operational excellence and the consistency that he maintains as a field trainer.

As a field training officer, Jason is always ranked as one of the top trainers by his Paramedic trainees. They regularly comment on how appreciative they are of his professionalism, his consistency in evaluation, and the detailed clinical and operational knowledge he shares with them.

Jason is a consummate professional, focusing on listening first and then professionally guiding his trainee in the appropriate direction. This subtle yet firm teaching style has allowed his trainees to feel much more comfortable stepping into their new role of Paramedic in a busy EMS system.

Jason is also a husband, father, and dedicated sports fan. When he is not busy training new Paramedics, he will be following his favorite basketball team or traveling to the latest EMS conference seeking more EMS knowledge.

Metro West is proud to call Jason Fleming a Star of Life for 2018.

 

Erik Sonnenberg

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Erik started as an EMT in the Metro West Wheelchair Transport Division back in 2011, then in 2014 he became a Nationally Registered Paramedic.

For the past two years, Erik has worked as a preceptor, mentoring Paramedic students throughout their internships, patiently sharing his knowledge and experience. Most recently, he has been promoted and is now serving as Metro West Ambulance’s newest Field Training Officer.

Metro West is celebrating Erik as the Star of Life for 2018 not only for his professional development in the organization but, more importantly, for his dedication to patient care.

This past fall, while off-duty and on the way to work, Erik came upon a serious accident where a pedestrian had been hit by a vehicle. Erik parked his car nearby and assisted with initial patient care, and he later ended up assisting the crews with the emergency intubation and transport to the trauma center.

On that call, and through his mentoring of new Paramedics, Erik has exemplified his dedication and service to EMS. 

We are proud to have him as Metro West’s 2018 Star of Life.

 

Nicole Cleary

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Nicole is known for her positive outlook and willingness to assist anyone with questions, whether they are members of the public, ambulance crews and wheelchair van drivers, other billing specialists, or management personnel. She makes everyone feel welcome from the moment they meet her.

Nicole joined Medix Ambulance on May 21, 2007, and she is our primary ambulance biller, making sure all ambulance billing is completed accurately and promptly.

She is a member and the secretary of Medix’s Safety, Operations, and Quality Committee.

Her great attitude makes her a delight to be around and generates a friendly work environment, and she still produces high-quality work in a very fast-paced job.

Nicole is married to Joe, who is a member of the United States Coast Guard, and they have a 6-year-old son, Aiden, and a dog, Essie. In her free time, Nicole enjoys scrapbooking, working on her house, and enjoying the outdoors.

Nicole’s presence and cooperation are greatly appreciated, and Medix believes she is exactly what a Star of Life is and should be. We are proud to have her represent our company.

 

Laura T. Ballanger

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Laura joined Pacific West Ambulance as an EMT a little more than four years ago and has since become a Paramedic. During this time, she has proven herself to be a deeply compassionate caregiver for her patients as well as a true team player. She is always ready to help at a moment’s notice.

She started in EMS when she was working at the hospital in Poplar, Montana. The hospital had a volunteer ambulance service that often put on classes. At first she wasn’t too sure that EMS was where she wanted to be, but then she ran her first call. She says she immediately fell in love with the ambulance, the field, the constant newness…and the rest is history.

Laura is the chairperson for Pacific West Ambulance’s Safety, Operations, and Quality committee, which helps shape the day-to-day operations of the organization. She has been instrumental in advising management on different aspects of the operation and then making changes with the goal of producing better employee job satisfaction and patient outcomes.

In Laura’s off time, she enjoys spending time with her 9-year-old, Tristan, her other half, Chris, and their wiener dogs, Duck and Goose, along with an assortment of chickens. Her family enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, fishing, hiking, hanging out at the ocean, beachcombing, reading, painting, and a bit of video-game playing.

Pacific West Ambulance is proud to name Laura T. Ballanger our 2018 Star of Life.

 

Randy Booker

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Randy has been serving our rural Oregon coastal community since 1994. He started as a volunteer firefighter at Coos Bay Fire Department and quickly discovered his passion for EMS. Randy then started his EMS career, first earning his EMT Basic then his EMT Intermediate while volunteering with the Coos Bay Fire Department.

Randy started with Bay Cities Ambulance in November 2002. He worked his first six years as an EMT Intermediate, often being the primary caregiver, and refined his skills and knowledge. Then in 2007, Randy started the hard work that resulted in his earning his AA degree in paramedicine in 2009.

Since becoming a licensed Paramedic with Bay Cities Ambulance, Randy has continued to advance in his chosen profession, progressing to Field Training Office and then Paramedic Supervisor.

Now in his 15th year with Bay Cities, Randy has advanced to Administrative Supervisor. In that role he has numerous different responsibilities, including helping to establish our Community Paramedic Program.

We are privileged to have Randy as part of our team here at Bay Cities Ambulance, and, as the organization continues to grow, we’re excited to watch Randy grow with us.

 

Briggett Rizzo

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Briggett has been around EMS her whole life, as many of her family members volunteered with their fire department and ambulance service—her grandmother was a volunteer Paramedic for 40 years, and a great one at that. Believing that she wouldn’t follow in her family member’s footsteps due to her uneasiness around blood, though, Briggett decided to pursue a career in music at Oregon State University.

During a break from school, Briggett attended two events where her friends needed medical attention, and that led her to realize that EMS, not music, was her true calling.

Briggett has been a Paramedic for three years now, and she is truly loving it. She enjoys the people she works with every day—the hospital staff, fire department, police department, and her coworkers. She is proud to serve her community, and everyone at Bay Cities Ambulance is proud of her.

When she’s not serving her community, Briggett enjoys spending time with her daughter, Carryn, and niece and nephew, Ireland and Crew. She also enjoys hunting, fishing, softball, and playing the piano.

Briggett received the Paramedic of the Year award, and we are excited to nominate her as a 2018 Star of Life.

Michele Connolly

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Michele Connolly became an EMT in 2009, and her first assignment was working for a local transport company on Staten Island, New York.

In 2011, she decided she’d like to experience the 911 aspect of Emergency Medical Services, so she joined Northwell Health Lenox Hill hospital to learn more about that area of the service.

Michele is being nominated as a Star of Life for her dedication and her compassionate nature—she demonstrates these qualities every day, not only with her patients, but in all her interactions with her peers as well.

In addition to her career, Michele keeps busy as a single mother to two daughters: Noelle, 18, who is attending college, and Madison, 15, who is a sophomore in high school. Family is important to Michele, and she tries to spend as much time as possible with her loved ones.

 

Robert Garzone

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Bob has been working in the field of Emergency Medical Services for 32 years. He began his career as an EMT in 1986 and became a Paramedic in 1989. He plans to enjoy his well-earned retirement at the end of 2018.

During his career, Bob has received numerous commendations, and he has been named Paramedic of the Year six times. He has also been recognized with three citations from New York City borough presidents for his dedicated service to the community.

Bob has been nominated as a Star of Life for his 32 stellar years of service in EMS. He has helped so many people over the years, and he is known for mentoring new EMS professionals, generously sharing his experience and knowledge as well as his time.

Bob was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, the community that he serves. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, an accomplished bowler, a member of the New York and New Jersey Bowling Halls of Fame, and an avid dart player and a member of the USA Ryder Cup of Darts team.

Chris “Jake” Jakubiak

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Chris has been chosen by his peers to be honored as a Star of Life for his commitment to his patients and his community.

A dedicated EMT for Regional Ambulance Service for the past 14 years, Chris always provides exceptional patient care. Chris is also a loyal employee who goes above and beyond our expectations and is consistently compassionate towards others.

No matter how difficult the situation may be, Chris not only treats the medical needs of his patients, he also exhibits a positive attitude and is uplifting and caring to everyone.

Chris is well known for  his exemplary caring behavior to his community—in addition to working with Regional Ambulance Service, he has volunteered at his local fire department for 31 years.

We are proud to have Chris “Jake” Jakubiak representing and living up to our motto of “Serving People First with his Pride, Proficiency and Professionalism.”

Ty March

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Ty has been in the EMS industry since he earned his certification in 2001, and he has worked with Gold Cross Ambulance for three years.

Ty was selected as a 2018 Star of Life because of his selfless service to the citizens of his community. He has always demonstrated top-notch clinical skills, but on December 25, 2017, however, they were truly put to the test.

While Ty and his partner were returning to the county from a long-distance transport, they heard the call go out for a 13-year-old cold-water drowning victim. They had just driven by the scene and quickly turned around. The victim was found after he had been underwater for 30 minutes. Ty assisted in bringing the boy out of the water then staring CPR and quickly resuscitating him. The boy has fully recovered, thanks to the skilled response and determination of his rescuers.

When he’s not providing excellent pre-hospital care to the people of Iron County, Utah, Ty enjoys spending time with his wife, Holly, and their four kids, two of whom he adopted from an abusive situation that he had responded to as the Paramedic. He also enjoys woodworking and going camping.

Brian Faby

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Brian began his EMS career as a volunteer EMT in 1998 in Patchogue, New York. After a career in retail management, he decided he needed to do something more fulfilling and made a career change to EMS.

In 2011 Brian joined Northwell Health, and he obtained his Paramedic certification in 2013. He enjoys the daily challenges of paramedicine and the opportunities to help those in need.

Brian is always looking for new challenges to take on, and he took his commitment to serve a big step further when he deployed to Florida with the department FEMA response team to assist in Hurricane Irma relief efforts in 2017. 

Back home, Brian recently became a part of the Northwell Health Center for EMS Community Paramedic program, and he is currently studying for his CCEMT-P certification.

Brian is nominated as a Star of Life in recognition of his dedication to his profession and the empathy he shows both to his patients and to his coworkers.

He is the proud father of three children, eight-year-old twins Abigail and Jack, and four-year-old Madison.

Rebekah Garcia

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Rebekah Garcia was born and raised in East Greenbush, New York. She had been working in the healthcare field for several years as an Albany Medical Center ED Patient Care Technician when she made the move over to Mohawk Ambulance Service as an EMT. In the three short years since joining our team, Rebekah has come to embody the core spirit of the job. Rebekah has time and again proven herself to be an asset.

Rebekah challenged herself to complete her certificate of Paramedicine at Hudson Valley Community College. She now serves as Paramedic and as a well-respected Field Training Officer for our newer employees. Her exemplary work has earned her our Distinguished Service Award, which while prestigious is unremarkable in comparison to the multiple compliments and regards she receives from her patients.

In addition to providing superior and compassionate healthcare for her own patients, Rebekah has indirectly impacted the lives of many others by being a leader and always setting a good example. She has proven to be an exceptional role model to her colleagues, and has become an invaluable member of our family. Rebekah has demonstrated that a combination of hard work, dedication, and resilience is an unstoppable force leading to a bright future.

Mohawk Ambulance Service is proud to announce Paramedic Rebekah Garcia as a 2018 American Ambulance Association Star of Life.

 

Caroline Cooper

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Caroline Cooper became a member of the Nature Coast EMS team in 2014 as an Ambulance Accounts Specialist. She completed the EMT program in 2017, and she is currently enrolled in the Paramedic program with an expected graduation date of December 2018.

Caroline is outstanding in every aspect of EMS. Her dedication, compassion, and empathy are shown with each and every one of her patients and team members. She is a great mentor to new EMTs, and is in EMS for all the right reasons. Caroline was selected by her colleagues as a Star of Life as she is always positive and courteous, and gives 110%. 

Nature Coast EMS is proud of Caroline’s achievements and honored to have her as a member of our team!

Richard McFadden

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Richard is the type of Paramedic who always serves his patients and coworkers with respect, understanding, compassion, and dignity. Richard started his career with ETMC EMS in December 1991, and he is still rocking the streets to this day with the same demeanor he started with.

Not only has Richard touched the lives of countless patients, he has also gained countless friendships with the everyday folk he comes in contact with. His addictive humor makes it easy to get caught up in his stories, no matter how many times you’ve heard them.

Over the past years, Richard has had a great influence on new and seasoned EMS personnel as a Field Training Officer. Richard enjoys sharing his past experiences, whether they are good or bad, to help the crews stay safe. As he talks about the past, you will always hear him say, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Richard has always been a great asset to his EMS family and deserves recognition for going above and beyond in an effort to make every day better for the future.

 

Kathy Duval

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

As a child, Kathy loved swimming, and as soon as she turned 16 and could earn her lifeguard certification, she did. She became a lifeguarding instructor/trainer and a first aid and CPR instructor in the late 1970s. Swimming has remained a focal point of Kathy’s life, and she has managed the city’s swimming pool since the early 1980s and still gives swimming lessons.

Kathy’s connection with Hillsboro started when she decided to further her medical training and enrolled in an EMT class in 1980—she had barely started the course when she found herself a member of Hillsboro Ambulance Service. She served for 14 years as an EMT, then in 1995  she passed the NREMT-Intermediate exam.

Throughout her years of volunteer service, Kathy has held several roles. She’s a certified EMS instructor teaches numerous EMS courses. She served as the squad training officer and as president for over 10 years, and she has assisted on the ND EMS testing team. Kathy even began a program—volunteering her time—to teach all local high school sophomores CPR.

She continues to work as an EMT for Hillsboro Ambulance Service today and remains a key figure in the organization. Kathy is known to take a spare AED home many evenings and respond on calls, even while not on duty, when a train is passing through town and delaying an ambulance response. She covers numerous call shifts and is always available as a backup crew member.

Kathy has been a strong supporter and leader over the years, and her continued dedication and commitment have helped the service move forward not only in EMS but during changes with the structure and administration of the ambulance service.

Kathy owns Uniquely Yours, an antique and craft boutique store in Hillsboro. When the pager goes off and additional help is needed, she closes her store without a second thought and responds.

She has cared for countless patients throughout her career, and she has taught and mentored many people who have entered the field of EMS.

She is married to Dennis Duval, and they have three grown children, Audra, Jared, and Jenessa. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, painting, going to concerts, and traveling the upper Midwest to visit her children, grandchildren, and family.