Dominic “Junie” Verquer has been a fixture in the Trinidad, Colorado community for many years. As a lifelong resident, it is hard to go anywhere in town without running into people who know Junie. In addition to being an EMT+ and the Public Outreach Coordinator for Trinidad Ambulance, Junie is also the County Coroner and is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Hoehne Fire Protection District. Junie’s life has been filled with examples of his dedication to community service and volunteerism.
Junie exemplifies the qualities of a true Star of Life. He is always ready to help, regardless of the time of day or the weather, and always without remuneration. The Trinidad Ambulance District wouldn’t be what it is without Junie Verquer. We are proud to call him our colleague and our friend, and to recognize him as the Trinidad Ambulance District’s Star of Life.
Marcus has been with AMR Ohio for six months and has conducted himself with the utmost professionalism to everyone he comes in contact with. He is a recipient of numerous patient compliments for his exceptional demeanor and care, and he had the ability to demonstrate these traits on an emergency call in December. When responding to a call for which fire department personnel were unavailable, Marcus began treatment of a 53-year-old patient complaining of chest pain. After an assessment, 12 lead EKG and IV, the patient became unresponsive. Marcus’s partner began CPR while Marcus prepared to defibrillate. CPR was resumed after defibrillation. Moments later, the patient regained a cardiac rhythm, regained consciousness and actually complained the chest compressions hurt. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital, rushed to the cardiac Cath lab, underwent open heart surgery and was able to spend another holiday with his family. Marcus is a four year veteran of the United States Navy and has received two Navy Achievement Medals, a Good Conduct Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Medal. He is working on a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management. Marcus is a welcome addition to the Ohio team.
Tommy Walker began his career in EMS in St. Louis, Missouri. He has since gained almost ten years of experience as a paramedic before joining our family at Pacific West Ambulance. In Tommy’s time as a paramedic he has been a prior Stars of Life recipient, a mentor and preceptor to paramedic students, and an EMS Bike Team Captain. As a bike captain he was responsible for providing medical services for participants at a range of events as well as coordinating medical staff and care. This has given him the ability to be a great leader and a highly qualified and competent paramedic. He has continued to learn and grow his medical expertise, even completing training to become a Critical Care Paramedic, a program that educates paramedics to better understand the needs of extremely sick or injured patients during extended transports to higher levels of care. He finds that being the first line of defense for his community in their times of need gives him great pride. He is a man that truly enjoys serving and making his community proud.
Tommy brings a lighthearted but caring energy to our team and displays a passion for providing a genuine type of care to our patients. He has an infectious spirit that helped him integrate and become a valued member of our team. He is always ready to provide a helping hand, tell a joke, or be the one to run command in a time of high stress. His ability to function as a lead paramedic and be the driving force on his calls, while never missing an opportunity to make someone smile or teach someone something, has made him more than deserving of this honor.
In his free time, Tommy is an avid photographer and travels with his wife, Karly. Photography is only one of Tommy’s many talents that he is always happy to share. Tommy and his wife lead a happy life of laughter and love. They are proud to say that they actually met at the Stars of Life celebration years ago when Tommy was being honored for the first time and Karly was accompanying her cousin, who was also being honored. The pair has added to their duo by adopting three rescued Weimaraner puppies. Tommy’s days are spent working hard, serving his community and loving his small family. He is a point of pride for Pacific West Ambulance and we hope nothing but fine things for his future.
Pafford EMS of Mississippi is proud to honor Jonathan Watkins as an American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life. Jonathan’s steadfast attitude makes him shine beyond measure in every task at hand.
Jonathan graduated from Phillips Community College in 2007 as an EMT Basic. While attending paramedic school at East Arkansas Community College, Jonathan worked as an EMT Basic and 911 dispatcher. After earning his degree, Jonathan worked as a Paramedic for three years in Arkansas, where on two occasions he worked with the US Secret Service to provide medical coverage for the Vice President of the United States during his hunting trips.
In June 2010, Jonathan transitioned to Mississippi as a Pafford employee. He is a Field Training Officer and a Station Supervisor. Jonathan is recognized by his fellow employees, his patients, and their families as a trustworthy, determined, sincere, and hardworking medic.
Despite the stress of an EMS job, Jonathan treats each person with the same level of compassion regardless of the type of call, the time of day, or the circumstances. His willingness to share his skills, knowledge, and experience demonstrates that he is a positive role model at Pafford EMS. Jonathan also spends much of his off time serving as an EMS liaison to the local hospital.
Jonathan not only loves what he does, but his care and concern on each call is evident to the people he serves. On several occasions Pafford EMS has received phone calls and letters thanking Jonathan for his care. It has been said, “When I see Jonathan, I know everything is going to be alright.”
Pafford EMS is honored to award Jonathan with an American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life.
Prior to beginning his career in EMS five years ago, Don Weeks was laid off from his job manufacturing bridges, such as the Hoover Dam Bypass and the San Francisco Seismic Retro-Fit Project. Don had promised himself that if he was ever laid off he would go back to school. Don has always liked helping people and a career in EMS made sense for him.
Don started working for Bay Cities Ambulance four years ago as a part time wheel chair driver and EMT. During this time Don decided that he wanted to become a Paramedic. Don secured a full time position working on an ambulance as an EMT, while going to school. Two years later, he became a nationally registered Paramedic. Within a few months he was promoted to Senior Paramedic, the position he holds today. Don looks forward to the future when he can become a Field Training Officer and train future generations of Paramedics.
Don and his wife, Nicole, have one daughter and are expecting their second daughter this summer. Bay Cities Ambulance is proud to honor Don Weeks with the American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life.
Since 2011, Jerry Whitlock has been a loyal, respected EMS provider and leader at LifeCare Medical Transports. His calm, friendly demeanor has helped not only his patients, but also the employees who he has trained in his role as Field Training Officer. From his earliest days with LifeCare, his ability to lead by example has proven to be an invaluable asset to the agency.
Jerry’s excellent leadership skills helped him to earn the respect of his peers, as well as of LifeCare’s leadership team. In 2015, Jerry was selected as the Sergeant to oversee LifeCare’s King William 9-1-1 station operations. Starting from scratch, Jerry built a new team of providers with a strong, healthy work ethic, and who took pride in their work. His excellence in both internal and external customer service led to his recent promotion to Lieutenant of the King William 9-1-1 station. His contagious smile and “can do” attitude are exemplary.
LifeCare Medical Transports is proud to nominate Jerry Whitlock as an American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life.
A nine-year veteran, Heidi is a well-respected paramedic in the San Diego EMS community, with a career that has traveled from Texas to New Zealand and back to the city where she was born. Last year, Heidi and her partner, AMR Paramedic Supervisor Theresa Conrad, witnessed a traffic collision as they were completing another call. The vehicle, with two passengers inside, caught fire almost immediately after the crash. Instinctively Heidi, a former rugby player, and her partner pulled both occupants out of the burning vehicle and began rendering aid. The fire was so hot that Heidi’s cell phone exploded from the heat while in her pocket causing minor burns to her leg. The bravery Heidi showed during this event, and her dedication to her patients and the residents of the City of San Diego, are what make Heidi stand out as a Star of Life.
Dave Whitson is originally from Dardenell, Arkansas, and graduated as a Paramedic from the University of Arkansas, Ft. Smith in 1994.
Dave worked in Arkansas as a Paramedic before moving to Oklahoma and finding his home at Muskogee County EMS 20 years ago. In addition to his duties as a Paramedic, Dave is a Critical Care Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Advanced EMT Instructor, Emergency Service Fire Instructor, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and the Strike Team Leader for MCEMS Strike Team B. Dave recently retired as the Fire Chief of the Warner Volunteer Fire Department after receiving many EMS and Fire Service commendations, including an Oklahoma State citation for the wild fires of 2012. He also honorably served his country during a tour of duty with the US Navy Reserve as a Navy Corpsman.
Being involved in a profession that helps individuals in their greatest hour of need is a perfect fit for Dave. In December 2014, Dave was awarded one of Muskogee County EMS’s highest honors, the MCEMS Valor Award, due to his bravery in resolving a potentially deadly situation. A friend, who was also a former medic, experienced an acute psychiatric event, became suicidal, and was barricaded in his home with multiple firearms. The law enforcement SWAT team had responded and set up a communication system but were not making progress.
Knowing the history of this gentleman and knowing him as a former medic and peer, Dave offered to go into the home and talk to him. Without hesitating, Dave put on a bulletproof vest, went in, and was able to successfully convince the former medic to surrender his weapons and be transported to the hospital. Due to Dave’s bravery, empathy, and concern, a hurting individual was able to receive the help he so desperately needed.
Because of Dave’s outstanding professionalism and his exemplary performance, Muskogee County EMS is proud to nominate David Whitson for the American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life Award.
When Michael Williams tells his colleagues that he knows how they feel, he isn’t joking. During a 14-year tenure at EMSA, Michael has held nearly every job there is. He joined EMSA as a vehicle supply technician and quickly worked his way into a tech supervisor role. Other roles he’s filled include EMT and field training officer, materials manager, paramedic, emergency medical dispatcher and, most recently, assistant field operations supervisor. Michael says that wearing so many different hats has given him a unique perspective on the business of EMS, but that “above all else, at the end of the day, we’re all here to take good care of sick and hurt people.”
In August 2015, Michael, his partner, and first responders resuscitated a man who went into cardiac arrest at a flea market. Doctors at the receiving hospital publicly praised the care Michael gave his patient and used the case to highlight the importance of bystander CPR and quality medical care.
In January 2015, a pickup truck flipped several times directly in front of Ryan and his partners’ ambulance. On approaching the vehicle, they saw the engine was smoking. The doors wouldn’t open. While Ryan’s partner pulled the driver through the window, Ryan yanked and kicked the passenger-side door wide enough to free the two other occupants. Moments later, the truck burst into flames. Coincidentally, the TV news crew was right behind the ambulance when the crash happened. The TV crew filmed the rescue and the video went viral on social media sites – showing these heroic actions to a worldwide audience.
But this triple save isn’t the only reason Ryan is a Star of Life. He is one of the best field training officers at his operation. He and his partner placed second in AMR’s southern regional competition on clinical and safety skills, plus the Mississippi EMT Association named Ryan the statewide 2015 Paramedic of the Year. For his FTO talents, superior patient care and leadership ability, he was promoted to clinical manager late last year.
Ryan and his wife, an emergency nurse, stay busy with their five children. AMR Mississippi is proud to nominate Ryan Wilson as an American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life.
Jake Winn was selected by his fellow employees to be a 2016 Star because of his compassion and willingness to help others.
After his first medical response call as a volunteer at the local fire department in a small community, Jake knew that he wanted to be involved in EMS. He earned an EMT basic license in June of 2013 and became an employee at Life EMS in September of that year. Subsequently, he enrolled in an EMT Advanced class, which he completed in July of 2014. Realizing how advanced life support can improve patient outcomes, Jake promptly enrolled in Paramedic school and is scheduled to graduate this July.
A dedicated husband and father of three children, Jake manages to balance family life, school and his job at Life EMS. He also works at Pond Creek Volunteer EMS. In the little spare time he can find, Jake enjoys the outdoors, including fishing and hunting, and is an avid OU football fan.
Life EMS is honored to present Jake Winn as one of its 2016 Stars of Life.
Chris Wynn is known throughout his neighborhood for not only his outgoing nature and optimistic attitude, but also his dedication to his patients. His effervescent personality makes Chris immediately likeable and easy to talk to. Even in the most difficult situations, Chris has the innate ability to put those around him at ease and bring comfort to his patients.
Operations Manager Ann Rice describes Chris as a knowledgeable and capable paramedic who demonstrates both skill and empathy in the field. She says, “Chris treats every patient as if they were a member of his own family. His concern for them is genuine and sincere. He often follows up with his patients and checks on them. Chris is kind and patient with people and takes the time to truly listen to the patient’s needs.”
Chris plays an invaluable role at Community Ambulance. He serves as a preceptor for local EMS students, as well as for new Community Ambulance associates. Chris readily takes those new to the industry under his wing in order to help them become the best EMS professionals they can be.
In addition to his role as a full time Paramedic, Chris also serves as a volunteer firefighter for the city of Climax. Chris demonstrates incredible dedication to serving others and continually seeks opportunities to enhance his clinical skills. Caring, compassionate and capable, Paramedic Chris Wynn defines what it means to be a “star” in EMS.
Chris and his wife, Dana, have two daughters, Miranda and Marisa. The Wynn family lives in Climax, GA.
Sarah Young was selected as Acadian’s 2016 Paramedic of the Year for its Louisiana/Mississippi operations, and has been employed with Acadian since March of 2014. She is stationed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Born in Juneau, Alaska, Sarah later moved to Washington State and began her EMS career at a fire-based EMS service. She attended paramedic class in Idaho. When she travelled to Baton Rouge for her clinical ride time, she soon decided that she wanted to make Baton Rouge her home.
Sarah has an amazing attitude and is a great employee and clinician. She sets the tone of the day by leading by example. She is a great leader for her co-workers and is a mentor every day on the job. As a safety and wellness committee member, Sarah is also a strong advocate for EMS safety.
Sarah remembers her most memorable call, hands-down, as the first time that she delivered a baby. She says, “Sometimes we are unable to save our patients despite our best efforts, but with childbirth you get to be there as a life is just beginning. It is such an incredible feeling to help a mother bring her little one into this world. To be there for their first moments and then to see the joy come across the mother’s face as she sees her baby for the first time, is incredible and unforgettable.”
To Sarah, being a paramedic means having the honor to serve her community and to be able to assist those in need. She says, “It is not something I take lightly, because that moment is the scariest time for a patient, and we have the ability to assist them through it and treat them with our skill set. I treat each patient as if they were a family member of mine, because they deserve the same kindness and compassion that we show to our loved ones when they are in need.” Sarah loves that her job allows her to “work within a dynamic team of first responders and other medical personnel to have a positive outcome for our patient. We are stronger together.”
When not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and loves being outdoors.
Jesus Zenon joined Hunter’s Ambulance Service in March of 2011 as a Non-Emergency Driver. He later went on to successfully obtain his Emergency Medical Technician Certification in May of 2014.
Jesus is known by his supervisors and peers as being helpful and willing to do whatever is needed to assist with call volume and operations. Jesus always goes the extra mile, and as a result of this leadership-by-example he elevates the performance of others.
There are numerous patient and coworker accolades in his file; each and every one of them compliment Jesus for being proficient and compassionate during transports.
Jesus is being honored as a Star of Life for his exceptional professionalism and commitment. Hunter’s Ambulance is privileged to have such a dedicated member of our EMS team.
