Tawny joined the Life EMS team in 2017 as an EMT/EVO, and she has been an integral part of the team since. She generously gives of her time and does whatever is asked of her unselfishly.
Tawny attended EMT-Basic training, then she went on to attain a National Registry Certification and the State of Oklahoma EMT License.
The public safety field was certainly not new territory for Tawny. Before deciding to become an EMT and pursue a career in EMS, she served as a reserve patrol and juvenile detention officer.
Tawny is married to Michael Ward, and they have a two-year-old daughter, Juliana.
Life EMS congratulates Tawny for being chosen by her fellow employees to represent Life EMS as a 2018 Star of Life.
Tony started his career in EMS in Virginia Beach, where he worked from 2004 to 2017. He earned his EMT certification there and became a life member of Davis Corner Volunteer Rescue Squad. In 2006 he applied to Medical Transport, and he was assigned to the Suffolk office.
While he was working with Virginia Beach EMS, Tony became a member of the SAR/Bike Team, and he was promoted to sergeant. In 2014, he became assistant captain at Davis Corner, and in 2015, he was promoted to captain of the Rescue Squad.
Tony was named Employee of the Year for 2017 in recognition of his extraordinary care, passion, bravery, heroism, and genuine selflessness while rescuing a disabled resident from a house fire.
While on shift for Medical Transport, Tony and his partner were right down the street from a residential fire, so they went to help, even though they were not assigned the call. They arrived before the firefighters and police officers, and sprang into action. Tony ran in and found a patient in the kitchen then attempted to put out the grease fire. He helped the patient from the house, battling the thick smoke. When the fire reignited, Tony ran back in to save the home.
Tony is currently assigned to the Southampton County 911 (Courtland Office), and he is a member of the Metropolitan Medical Strike Team (MMST). He also works part-time for the City of Chesapeake Fire Department, giving back to the community.
Everyone at Medical Transport recognizes Tony as a standout employee and a great example of how to act. He shows constant professionalism day after day. His contributions to various organizations as well as Medical Transport go above and beyond the call of duty.
Lauren’s EMS career began in 2002, when she worked as an EMT and Field Training Officer. In 2006, she became a dispatcher, serving as a supervisor.
On October 1st, Lauren and her partner, Joe, received the radio call for an active shooter from the Standby crew of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas. Community Ambulance had been contracted to supply medical services to the festival.
Lauren and Joe faced many challenges that night, including not knowing if the Community Ambulance personnel providing standby coverage would go home to their families.
Lauren and Joe worked tirelessly in those moments to bring calm to the chaos and get the needed resources to the incident and working hand in hand with our community partners. Undeniably their focus and hard work helped to save countless lives that night.
In her spare time, Lauren enjoys cooking and watching sports. She also loves animals.
Joe’s EMS career began in 2005 in New Jersey, where he worked as an EMT. In 2006, Joe moved moved west to Las Vegas, and he received the Star of Life in 2009 while he was working at AMR. In 2011, Joe transitioned into dispatch, and he joined Community Ambulance in 2015.
On October 1st, Joe received the radio call for an active shooter from the Standby crew of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. Community Ambulance was contracted to supply medical services to the festival.
Joe and his partner, Lauren Taylor, faced many challenges that night, including not knowing if the Community Ambulance personnel providing standby coverage would go home to their families.
Joe and Lauren worked tirelessly in those moments to bring calm to the chaos and get the needed resources to the incident. Undeniably their focus and hard work helped to save countless lives that night.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
