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.

Gold Cross, the paramedic service of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is proud to nominate Roger Swor, Paramedic, as a 2016 Star of Life.

Throughout his career, Roger has been one to lead by example by providing the best care to every single patient. Roger joined Gold Cross in 1977 and is known as someone who takes the initiative to ensure the needs of his patients come first.
Nearly three years ago, Roger organized a skills review session for himself and his fellow paramedics at the Duluth base to assure that caregivers were proficient in providing the best possible care to patients. The session he developed and has personally led several times for fellow Gold Cross paramedics supports the company’s annual skills testing, which is required of all patient care team members. This skills review session ensures patients are receiving the care they expect and deserve, as well as a way to foster trust with the patient and amongst fellow caregivers.

Industry experts released a study estimating the average career length for ground ambulance paramedics to now be approximately four years. How has a paramedic like Roger stayed in the career path for nearly four decades? According to Roger, “Every day I try to find something good, something positive in the day. We all have long, tough days in this role at times, but if you can find something you enjoy about your day I think it’s a way to avoid burnout. If you look for something positive you’ll find good in the day.”