David Kingdon is being recognized for his outstanding leadership during the devastating fires on Maui, particularly in the town of Lahaina. David is the team leader of Maui’s only rapid-response unit and has been instrumental in expanding the unit’s capabilities to perform advanced functions, including training and deployments with the Special Response Team unit at the Maui Police Department, and collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard to launch specially trained paramedics on their response boat. When fires on the island spread rapidly in August of 2023, David took it upon himself to act as medical incident commander. He worked tirelessly in uncertain conditions to ensure that patients were triaged, treated and transported safely to healthcare facilities and that his team members remained safe as well. As the fires were brought under control, he continued to ensure EMS operations were uninterrupted while the island dealt with tremendous loss.

Michael Taboniar is passionate about providing quality EMS to the Kaua’i community, a service he’s done for the past 28 years. Born and raised on this small island, Michael has taken a personal approach to ensuring that his “home” has the resources and personnel to ensure residents get the mobile healthcare they need when they need it.

A lecturer and assistant instructor in EMS at Kapi’olani Community College, Michael is enthusiastic about promoting the EMS profession through education. This past year, he taught a class of 20 new EMTs and led advanced courses for other EMS professionals. He was also instrumental in creating a community training center on the Kaua’i Community College campus where all active AMR providers can gain hands-on training on new tools and devices.

An EMS advocate who cares deeply about his community’s well-being, Michael is an avid volunteer who has often served as a standby EMS presence at local sporting events. He also spearheaded mock crash exercises to promote safe driving among high school students.

Rain Swift is being honored as a Star of Life for her leadership when Hawaii’s communication center implemented Emergency Medical Dispatch training. The rollout of critical new software required an overwhelming amount of planning and implementation. Rain stepped in and took on a major role, not only with frontline mentoring, but the mentoring of the communications leadership team as well. She began sitting in the dispatcher’s seat so she could better understand day-to-day challenges. She obtained her EMD certification to address the communications department’s needs more skillfully. In short: Rain made the rollout a success and continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the communications department. All of this on top of her regular duties as the Clinical Education Specialist and Nurse Lead for ground Critical Care Operations. She is always willing to take on tough projects and put in the work to ensure that they are done properly.

Rain has been in EMS for 25 years, 23 of those with AMR. She began, fittingly, in the communications department, transitioned to an EMT and scheduler, became an RN, and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She plans to continue her education and get her master’s as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

In April 2018, Kauai was hit by unrelenting rain. Forty-nine inches fell in 24 hours, causing devastation across the remote Hawaiian island. Peter Beemer was home with his wife and three children when the storm hit. Trapped behind landslides, Peter watched his car and truck float away in the flood waters. None of this stopped Peter from responding to this disaster. As the only Paramedic on his side of the island, Peter coordinated medical operations that emergency medical physician Dr. Erik Schumacher said, “given the circumstances and available resources, left nothing to be desired.”

After Peter’s family was evacuated, he spent nearly two weeks on site, helping his community recover. Peter provided wound care, disease and injury prevention education, helped set up a walk-in clinic, did home visits, and coordinated medication distribution. “Watching Peter was a lesson in mastery; it was as if he had done that before, many times,” recounted Dr. Schumacher. “Peter coordinated care in a way that was truly impactful and, whether they know it or not, the residents of the north shore owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. I am proud to have somebody so capable on our team.” American Medical Response is proud to recognize Peter Beemer as a 2019 Star of Life.

Christopher Lee has been a fixture in Hawaii’s EMS industry for more than a decade. Tippy, as he’s known, helped start AMR’s Hawaii air ambulance program four years ago and often assists on transports from Hawaii back to the mainland.

Tippy’s positive attitude is infectious and his ability to connect with others is remarkable. That includes the EMS students Tippy helps teach and his patients.

Several years ago, Tippy was part of a team that flew a man who suffered a spinal cord injury while on vacation back to the mainland. Tippy demonstrated incredible compassion toward the patient and forged a strong connection with him that has endured. Recently, Tippy was able to be present when this man realized his goal of getting back in the water at the site where he was injured.

EMT Lisa Johnshoy has spent more than 20 years in the EMS industry. A member of AMR’s disaster response team and Hawaii’s Kalawao Rescue Team, Lisa also volunteers for the Kauai Life Guard Association and serves on the board of the Kauai Paramedics Association.

In May 2016, Lisa was enjoying some time off when she witnessed a small airplane crash on takeoff. Lisa directed a friend to call 911, then grabbed a fire extinguisher, jumped the fence, and rushed to the crash site. Lisa and other bystanders pulled a victim from the plane, and she began CPR while directing others’ actions.

Despite Lisa’s quick action and heroic efforts, none of the five crash victims survived. While a tragic loss, we can all only hope that in our time of need that someone with Lisa’s bravery and talents will be there to respond.