For more than 30 years, Karla Eppler has dedicated her career to emergency medical services as a Paramedic, Educator, and Administrator. While her decades of service alone reflect an extraordinary commitment to EMS, Karla’s recent work to recognize today’s first responders and prepare tomorrow’s Paramedics demonstrates the lasting impact of her leadership.

Karla created the Emplify Health EMS Challenge Coin program as a way to recognize those who help others in their time of need. What began as an effort to honor the staff of Tri-State Ambulance and Emplify Health Ambulance has grown into recognition of first responders throughout the broader EMS and public safety community. Karla frequently spends her evenings traveling throughout western Wisconsin to EMS, fire, and law enforcement agencies to personally recognize the people who serve their communities every day.

In professions where extraordinary service can too often go unrecognized, Karla makes it her mission to ensure first responders understand that their work matters. Through the challenge coin program, she celebrates not only exceptional actions, but also the everyday commitment of those who consistently answer the call and make a difference in the lives of others.

At the same time, Karla has been working tirelessly to help secure the future of EMS by developing a Paramedic education program. She has devoted countless hours to learning the accreditation process, assembling a talented faculty, and guiding the team through the development of the program and its training facility. Her work will help prepare future generations of Paramedics to answer the call for help and create a legacy that will extend far beyond her own career.

Whether recognizing those who serve today or developing those who will serve tomorrow, Karla has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to strengthening the EMS profession and the people within it.

Outside of work, Karla enjoys spending time with family and friends. An avid cyclist and triathlete, she also encourages others to discover activities they enjoy and make an active lifestyle part of their lives.

Through more than three decades of service, leadership, education, and advocacy for her fellow first responders, Karla has made an enduring impact on EMS and the communities it serves. Tri-State Ambulance and Emplify Health Ambulance are proud to recognize Karla Eppler as a 2026 Star of Life.