Kasey Ras is an Assistant Operations Supervisor/Paramedic and started her career with Sunstar in November of 2010. When Kasey was asked what led her to EMS, she responded that, when working as a sales representative, she had witnessed a very bad accident. Kasey felt helpless and had no idea what to do but knew she never wanted to have that feeling again. Kasey quit her job in sales, started EMT school, and has never looked back. Since joining Sunstar, Kasey has proven to be a great asset to our team.

Since starting in EMS, Kasey has been both a Preceptor and Field Training Officer. Kasey is a Preceptor with St. Petersburg College’s EMS program, where she mentors and trains new students. In 2015, Kasey was promoted to Assistant Operations Supervisor. Kasey is very safety-conscious in every aspect of her job. Kasey strives to be her best daily and holds others around her to that same standard.

Sunstar Paramedics is proud to nominate Paramedic Kasey Ras as a 2017 AAA Stars of Life recipient. She is a truly dedicated employee who loves what she does and lives by our CARE PLUS Values.

Kasey always strives to do the right thing, no matter the situation. Kasey was honored with the CARE PLUS Award for an act of kindness that many others would never have recognized. After transporting a veteran to the local VA, Kasey noticed a man sitting on the ground outside of the ER. Kasey stopped and asked him if he needed help. The man replied that he wanted to go inside to get help for multiple issues, including housing, but he had his dog and didn’t know what to do. The man advised Kasey that he loved his dog and could not bear to lose him. After a few minutes talking to the man, Kasey called her wife and had her come pick up the dog in order for this man to go in and get the help he needed. Kasey and her wife took this dog in and cared for it as their own while the man worked with the VA to find permanent housing. After a few days, the veteran was placed in permanent housing and Kasey reunited him with his beloved dog.

Kasey’s everyday commitment to her patients, partners, citizens of Pinellas County and Sunstar Paramedics makes her the ideal nominee. Sunstar Paramedics is very proud to have a leader like Kasey on our team.

Jonathan “Jon” started his career in 2011 in the Sunstar warehouse/materials management department. After completing EMT school, Jon quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a preceptor in 2013 and a field training officer in 2014. Jon consistently displays a great attitude when dealing with both new employees and EMT students, and receives great reviews from all of his trainees. Jon is a CPR/BLS instructor, and has taken an active role helping in the Sunstar training center, especially during renewal season when the company renews over 200 employees in a very short window of time. Jon has also expanded his role to the safety and risk department, becoming one of the most reliable and expert EVOC instructors. Jon holds national certification as an EVOC instructor, and is always making sure that our employees are driving safely.

It is with great pride and pleasure that Sunstar Paramedics nominates Jonathan Balzer for the 2017 AAA Stars of Life award. Jonathan and his partner, James Walker, Sunstar’s nominee for Florida Paramedic of the year, are both integral clinicians in our system and have repeatedly demonstrated high performance in multiple departments. Jon previously received the Gold Star Care award, which is achieved through repeated positive feedback from patients, hospitals or other clinicians. Jon is also a two-time recipient of the Care Plus award, a monthly award for outstanding customer service and great patient care.

In June 2016, Jon and his partner were dispatched for a person experiencing an altered mental status. Upon arriving on scene, Jon found the patient in the care of the fire department with the police assisting. The only information Jon received from the assisting agencies was the patient’s name and a phone number. After the other agencies left, Jon and his partner continued their assessment of the patient. Jon discovered the patient had dementia and the phone number was her husband’s. After being very persistent and calling the number six or seven times, Jon finally spoke with the patient’s family. After speaking with the husband, Jon found out that the patient had walked out of her house a couple hours prior. The patient had been reported missing and had been called in as a silver alert. The family arrived at the scene and was able to take the patient home safely. Due to Jon’s quality care, patience, and concern for what was best for the patient, Jon was able to reunite the patient with her family, and keep her from further harm. Jon is committed to going above and beyond the call of duty.