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Archives: Stars

Samantha Migliore

During Samantha “Sam” Migliore’s senior year of high school, while manning the cash register at her after-school job, she noticed a woman who didn’t appear much older than her wearing an EMT uniform. At that moment Sam realized that joining the EMS field was an attainable goal. That fall she enrolled in an EMT course and obtained her certification soon after.

Sam began working for Armstrong Ambulance in 2019, the day after she graduated from high school. She quickly fell in love with EMS, enjoying the work and the meaning behind it. Sam finds it deeply rewarding to assist patients during some of their most challenging moments. She recognizes the necessity of bringing a sense of calm to a chaotic scene.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam took a two-year leave of absence from her studies to work full-time on the front lines. She dedicated most of her time to Armstrong Ambulance’s COVID-19 response efforts focused on testing and vaccinating individuals across Massachusetts. Sam is proud to have worked alongside such motivated and resilient teams during the pandemic.

Combining her two passions—healthcare and education—Sam decided to pursue a degree focused on healthcare upon her return to school. As a Field Training Officer at Armstrong, Sam developed a uniform curriculum to train the next generation of EMTs with the tools they need to succeed in the field. Sam feels that teaching is the most rewarding aspect of her job, and aims to instill in trainees the same passion for EMS that drives her. To know Sam is to know why it’s easy for Armstrong Ambulance to recognize her as an incredible instructor, consummate professional, highly skilled clinician, mentor to many, and all-around great person.

Sam is currently a senior at UMass Lowell. In spring she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. From there, Sam hopes to continue her education by enrolling in Physician Associate (PA) school where she can further her emergency medicine skills.

In her free time, Sam enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, taking road trips across New England, and spending time with her puggle, Rocco.

Nicholas Spencer

Nicholas “Nick” Spencer joined Bell Ambulance in 2021 and quickly made a positive impact. Awarded the Employee of the Year in 2022 by his colleagues, his influence was clear. Rising to the role of EMT Field Training Officer, Nick focused on sharing knowledge, often mentoring EMT students in the cadet program.

Staff members appreciate Nick for his willingness to help and educate. His commitment to learning stands out, and he’s always ready to face challenges head-on.

On a personal note, Nick’s longstanding bond with his wife, dating back to their childhood, speaks to his steadfast nature. His service as a youth pastor further enriches his community as well.

Bell Ambulance is proud to honor Nick Spencer as a 2023 Star of Life.

Quentin Nation

Since joining Bell Ambulance in 2021, Quentin Nation has time and again demonstrated his leadership and commitment to the field. He played a vital role in an innovative collaboration with the Milwaukee Fire Department, helping staff ambulances at firehouses. This dedication to caring for Milwaukee residents earned him the honor of being chosen as the 2021 Employee of the Year by his peers.

Quentin’s expertise was put into practice when he successfully delivered several babies, further affirming his capability and passion. Rising to the role of EMT Field Training Officer, he now ensures that the next generation of EMS providers receive top-tier training.

Quentin’s work is deeply personal. He proudly carries forward the legacy of his mother, who served as a Bell Ambulance EMT two decades ago. Quentin’s unwavering commitment to service and mobile healthcare makes him a standout Star of Life.

Chris Workman

Chris Workman NREMT-P, RN is in his 23rd year in EMS, and is nearing his fifth year of service at Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) in Little Rock, Arkansas. Chris’s career has spanned various areas of Arkansas, several types of EMS agencies, and numerous roles on and off duty. Chris launched his EMS career by earning his EMT certification after eight years as a welder and has continued to grow professionally since. He attained his Paramedic certification in 2008 and became a Registered Nurse in 2014. In addition to his field duties, Chris is a member of the MEMS Honor Guard and is a Pediatric Advanced Life Support Instructor. But that is just the beginning of his contributions to the community.

Chris is known throughout the state for his community involvement, volunteerism, and auctioneering skills. Chris has served countless hours as a Volunteer Firefighter and Reserve Police Officer. Additionally, as Community Outreach Coordinator he designed, built, and won first place for a County Fair float representing his agency and the EMS profession. He coached children’s T-Ball teams and served as a counselor, staff member, and on the planning committee for Camp Sunshine Burn Survivor Camp for 14 years.

Chris is also a longtime member of the Arkansas Emergency Medical Technician Association. He has lent his talents to their annual state-wide EMS conference planning committee and continues to serve as their annual fundraiser’s auctioneer.

Chris is a proud small-business owner, operating Workman’s Auction since 2006. In this role, he has conducted over 500 live, charity, and online auctions. Chris is well known for his trustworthiness and professionalism. and as such his efforts have supported EMS agencies in liquidating equipment. He was also entrusted with the sale of priceless career-long memorabilia collections by a few EMS legends who were approaching the end of their lives.

Chris is deeply humble and compassionate. Over the course of his career, he has successfully performed four field deliveries and one Pedi-Code save. In his time at MEMS, he has already been honored with four Phoenix Awards for cardiac arrest saves. These patient outcomes earn accolades from many. However, it is the times when Chris offers non-traditional, outside-of-the-box care for his patients that set him apart from his peers and earned him a nomination as a 2023 Star. From cooking a meal for a stressed, frail diabetic to singing gospel music with patients during transport, Chris fully dedicates himself to mobile healthcare. Similarly, he invests countless hours supporting his partners and mentoring new EMTs during the early stages of their careers.
When asked about being a Paramedic, Chris notes, “I do not save lives. God saves lives and decides who lives or dies. He blessed me with the tools and knowledge to help him; I get to play on his playground.”

Chris is married to Jayme who is a registered nurse and Emergency Department Director. They are both active members of Destiny Cowboy Church in Austin, Arkansas. Their son is currently enrolled in EMT school with plans to continue the family legacy of public service and EMS.

In their free time, Chris and Jayme enjoy spending time on the lake and at their cabin with friends. Chris is also an avid deer and turkey hunter, a skilled fisherman, and a proud Dallas Cowboys season ticket holder.

Garrett Whisenhunt

Sergeant Garrett Whisenhunt, B.S., NREMT-P is in his fifth year in EMS at Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) in Little Rock, Arkansas. After two years of working as an EMT, Garrett was selected for the MEMS in-house Paramedic school. Here, he earned highest honors as the class Valedictorian while simultaneously attaining his Associates of Applied Science in Paramedicine. In his second year as a Paramedic, he distinguished himself from his peers through his contributions to the agency as well as his work outside of EMS.

From Paramedic school to the present, Garrett’s dedication to lifelong learning is second to none. He notes that being an effective Paramedic and driving excellent patient outcomes fuel his investment in his own education. He is similarly committed to the development of his 400+ coworkers and thousands of EMS colleagues across the state. His desire to increase knowledge and reduce self-doubt for himself and his EMS colleagues led to his formation of the “Journal Club” at MEMS. This initiative has led to multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and discussions resulting in new and revised protocols as well as an informative learning and training medium.

In addition to his role as a Paramedic and Field Training Officer, Garrett serves as a member of the MEMS Bike team, Safety Council, Recruitment Team,  and as an Adjunct Instructor for the MEMS’ Academy, as well as a Stop the Bleed and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor. Another innovation driven by Garrett is his redesign and redevelopment of the agency’s driving training program, both didactic and practical portions. Overseeing a collaborative effort between other FTOs, Instructors, and Supervisors, this new course resulted in a year-long safety campaign that was designed to recognize and incentivize safe practices.

Furthermore, Garrett is a leader in the agency for his interdepartmental efforts and relationships with the area police and fire departments. He and his partner are known for their close relationship with their fellow public service professionals. They often share credit for positive outcomes on-scene with our partners and co-responders.

Garrett has been married to Sara for seven years and they have an 11-month-old daughter, Jane, who is the joy of their life. They are members of the Hwy 65 Church of Christ where he serves in numerous roles singing, preaching, teaching, and hosting Bible study classes for local college-aged adults. Garrett’s hobbies include mountain biking, smoking meats, making coffee and espressos, and spending time with his two Scottish Terriers. He is a self-described yard nerd who strives to have the greenest lawn on the block.

MEMS is proud to recognize Garrett Whisenhunt as a 2023 Star of Life.

Aaron Wainwright

Aaron Wainwright began his journey in EMS in 2011 and soon after, in 2012, he joined Life EMS as an EMT. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous growth, Aaron achieved his Paramedic certification in 2019. In 2021, he progressed to Supervisor in the Northern Operations in Mason County.

As a leader, Aaron stands out as a true visionary. He possesses a unique ability to communicate his expectations with both clarity and precision, ensuring that every team member comprehends their specific duties and responsibilities. This style of leadership not only nurtures unity within the team but also boosts overall efficiency and productivity.

Beyond his leadership skills, what truly distinguishes Aaron is his authentic and respectful care towards his patients. The warmth of his demeanor combined with his innate empathy establishes a comforting atmosphere for those in need of medical assistance.  Patients consistently express their gratitude for his attentive and compassionate approach, underscoring his commitment to providing exceptional care.

In addition to his professional achievements, Aaron is an exceptional human being. He treats everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their role or background. His willingness to lend a helping hand and offer guidance to colleagues further solidifies his reputation as a remarkable leader and team player.

Life EMS Ambulance is proud to recognize Aaron Wainwright as a Star of Life.

Brandon Trauba

Brandon Trauba has been an incredible asset to Lakes Region EMS over the course of his career. Starting as an EMT in 2014, Brandon quickly progressed to Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, Supervisor, then on to Operations Manager today. Brandon continues to be an exemplary leader in his newest role; he asks difficult questions and is thoughtful but firm in how he deals with challenges. He shows great ownership and engagement in the organization and has a good practice of looking at things through both a leadership lens as well the lens of a field provider.

In his role as an Operations Manager, Brandon is the driving force behind many improvements within the organization. He leads the Field Training Officers group, mentoring new and experienced employees. He also guides new staff through orientation, readying them to serve the community on their own. Brandon also spearheaded the rollout of an entirely new narcotics process. He diligently gathered feedback from all staff, worked to understand the process, and then trained the team before launching the module.

In addition to his contributions to the communities of Lakes Region EMS, Brandon has been a member of the United States Reserves for the past 12 years. He has served our country on multiple deployments as a Flight Paramedic.

Outside of work, Brandon enjoys spending his time with his four-year-old daughter and wife, Justine. He also enjoys going to the family cabin in his spare time.

Lakes Region EMS is proud to recognize Brandon Trauba as a 2023 Star of Life.

Veronica Smith

Veronica launched her EMS career in 2002 as an EMT in the Mobility Division at Life EMS Ambulance. She switched gears and joined the Life EMS Control Center team in 2009. Here, she rose through the ranks and became a Supervisor in 2016, a position she excels in to this very day.

Veronica has always been incredibly kind and helpful to the associates in the Control Center. Veronica’s dedication to professionalism, leadership, and compassionate care is truly exemplary. Her impact on our team, the associates in the field, and the communities served by Life EMS cannot be overstated.

Veronica is well deserving of recognition given her extraordinary efforts and attributes. The Life EMS Control Center celebrates Veronica as a 2023 Star of Life.

Jill Roys

Over the span of her EMS career, Jill Roys has held every title available. She started as a driver, then progressed to EMR, EMT, Paramedic, then Critical Care Paramedic. Today, she serves her community as a Lead Paramedic.

Jill greets each workday with a positive, can-do attitude. She is not afraid of a challenge, is always willing to help out, and serves as an extraordinary role model for both new and seasoned field providers. For example, she goes above and beyond in her efforts to assist with the orientation and training of new employees. Onboarding new staff is not always an easy task, but her dedication drives the success of the process.

Jill was born and raised in a rural community in northeast Iowa. She is married to her husband, Shad, who is a Sergeant with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department as well as an ambulance driver. Jill has four kids, two stepkids, and one grandchild. In their free time, the Roys love to ride motorcycles and go boating with family.

Jill Roys is a true team player and a great leader to Gundersen Ambulance. Each day, Jill demonstrates teamwork, integrity, and leadership—all that a Star should be!

Nicole Tyson

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 Smith

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.

Beth Rimmer

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 Rahilly

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

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

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 Allen

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

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.

Todd Perry

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

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 King

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.