Sean McGuire is a Paramedic for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service in Illinois.

Sean began his career in EMS with Superior in 1996 as an EMT, where he thrived at patient care and enjoyed helping people. Sean’s dad, who served as an Army Medic in Vietnam, inspired Sean to enter the EMS field through the stories he shared.

While working as an EMT, Sean enrolled in Paramedic school through the Level 1 Trauma Center, St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. He has now been a Paramedic for over 15 years and is currently a Station Manager for Superior Ambulance’s Aurora, Illinois station.

Sean is known for his tireless work ethic, Paramedic skills, professionalism, kindness, and willingness to always lend a helping hand. He is equipped to handle both the clinical and emotional aspects of EMS while being a strong leader of his agency. A long-time member of the Superior family, Sean has consistently shown his passion and dedication to his fellow coworkers, employees, Superior Ambulance, and the EMS industry. As a result, he is well known and loved by his fellow employees at Superior.

Sean is a devoted husband and father to two beautiful daughters. He enjoys playing the guitar, fishing, and golfing, as well as cheering on the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, and White Sox.

Tristan Joel DeFord is a Northwest Indiana native who has served his community for nearly nine years. Having realized at a young age that his passion was helping others, Tristan began training to be an Emergency Medical Technician during his junior year of high school. After graduating from Chesterton High School in 2010, Tristan continued to pursue his passion as an EMT. In August of 2012, Tristan started his vocation with Superior Ambulance Service of Indiana, Inc. After serving for six years as an EMT, Tristan decided to advance his career in healthcare. In 2016, Tristan passed the NREMT examination, and now currently works for Superior Ambulance Service of Indiana, Inc. as a Paramedic and the 911 Contract Manager for five Northwest Indiana cities. Tristan continues to advance and enjoy his career, and was recently recognized and promoted for his leadership. Additionally, Tristan is also a certified CPR instructor, and he teaches Basic Life Support (BLS) skills to friends, family, and coworkers.

Despite being passionate about his career, Tristan enjoys his time off. He is actively involved as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol Indiana Wing and volunteers with his church, Valley Baptist Church in Valparaiso, IN. Tristan is a devoted husband, father, and brother and he loves spending quality time with his wife, Amaris, and 2-year-old son, Jansen.

Tristan has proven his skills and leadership time and time again. Tristan is an integral member of the Superior family and we are proud to recognize him as a 2019 Star of Life.

In 2005, Dustin Hawley moved from his small hometown in Vassar, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois and took an EMT class. From that moment forward, Dustin knew that mobile healthcare was his calling.

Dustin began his EMS career at Superior Ambulance Service in 2006. In 2008, Dustin completed Paramedic training at Malcolm X College and his Paramedic field internship with the Chicago Fire Department EMS division. From this experience, Dustin went on to provide EMS with Superior throughout Chicago, including at major sporting venues and the Chicago Marathon. During this time, Dustin also began mentoring Paramedic students.

In 2010, Dustin took the next step in his career by completing the UMBC CCEMTP program. Dustin went on to work on a CCT Medic/RN team, providing Critical Care Transport to the Greater Chicago area.

Beginning in 2014, Dustin relocated back to Michigan, with his wife and young son, to assume the role of Critical Care Coordinator for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance of Michigan. In this role, Dustin leads the Critical Care team, provides clinical insight to operations management, teaches continuing education, and assists operations as a provider when needed. Dustin also conducts new hire orientation for all new employees of Superior. In 2018, Dustin achieved licensure as an EMS Instructor/Coordinator (Paramedic Level) in the state of Michigan.

Since joining Superior of Michigan, Dustin has improved staffing for Critical Care Transport, designed and implemented a field-training program, and conducted hundreds of continuing education and certification courses. Dustin currently serves as the Chairman of Superior of Michigan’s Professional Standards Review Committee. This important committee provides general oversight and analysis of the clinical performance of all EMS providers and aims to achieve clinical excellence for all staff through performance improvement initiatives. This committee has reviewed thousands of EMS runs, given out countless Clinical Excellence awards, determines and monitors clinical indicators, issues EMS advisories for staff, and reviews clinical incidents. Dustin is passionately dedicated to these efforts with the intent to ensure that our patients receive the very best care.

Dustin has recently become involved with Michigan’s committee on developing Critical Care standards for the state. In this role, Dustin provides valuable insight regarding Critical Care that will one day guide the team to a true Critical Care EMS standard for all providers and programs in Michigan.

Dustin’s EMS vision is to develop the very best EMS providers, conduct the best training, and ensure the best equipment is available to respond to every situation. Dustin desires to see all EMS providers uphold the highest integrity for their patients and to their profession.

Because of his leadership, dedication and knowledge, Dustin is highly respected by his colleagues and providers. Dustin’s admirable personal character and professional integrity serves as an example for everyone in the EMS industry.

Dustin and his wife, Sarah spend most of their free time raising Liam, who is a 7-year-old ball of energy. From Tae Kwon Do to swimming to Cub Scouts, Liam keeps them on their toes. When he does get a free minute, Dustin enjoys woodworking, camping, and spending time with family throughout Michigan.

William is a true Star of Life, described as a very caring individual who is dedicated to EMS and AMR. He is a CCEMT-P, Lead SCT Medic for Abbott. William is often recognized for his efforts to ensure the highest standards of care. He is a committed medial professional with a strong academic background and clinical training. In addition, he mentors his colleagues assuring consistent skills and quality patient care. His patient care reports are meticulously detailed, ensuring that our SCT patients receive the highest quality care possible.William constantly takes the SCT ambulance into the community for in-service demonstrations and hosts Scout troops on site to familiarize them on how we operate and introduce them to career opportunities. He has served as a local Cub Scout den leader for the past five years, Girl Scout advisor for the past nine years, and provides emergency foster care for disadvantaged children. One of William’s crowning achievements was to help a chronically ill veteran, near the end of his life, check a big item off his “bucket list.” William took him to a St. Louis Rams football game. While on the sidelines, the veteran was greeted by officials, players and fans, all of whom thanked him for his service to our country. William is a reliable source of information to his peers and sometimes referred to as “Phone a Friend” from his coworkers who seek his advice and answers regarding patient care challenges.”

Dane began his EMT career as a member of the Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service team in July 2007. Since then, he has happily taken on more responsibility as he’s advanced within the organization. 

In his current role, Dane is responsible for the supervision of more than 100 EMT professionals. It’s a demanding, all-encompassing role that includes the on-boarding and acclimation of new hires, quality assurance training, education, new employee development, employee relations, customer service, problem resolution, and assorted management and leadership tasks, for good measure.

Dane is the kind of person who will do whatever he can to help those around him succeed, and he has the passion, love, and enthusiasm that make him one of our agency’s most up-and-coming leaders.

When he’s not working at Superior, Dane enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife, Nicole, and daughter, Baily. Dane proudly serves as an usher at his church during Sunday services.

He has adopted or fostered many abandoned animals, and he loves being greeted by his dog, Mabel, every night when he returns home.

Dane has always shown an interest in politics from a very young age and hopes one day to take part in a campaign.

Demel entered EMS in 2002, right after he graduated from Chicago’s Malcolm X College School of Health Sciences. He fell in love with the profession, and went on to earn his Paramedic license in 2006 from St. Francis in Evanston.

When he entered management a few years later, he ended up working just a few blocks from his alma mater, providing care and treatment to people in the local community and the Greater Chicago Area.

In 2011, Demel took the next step in his career by earning his Critical Care Paramedic license from University of Maryland-Baltimore. Demel has worked since then as a CCT medic in the Chicago area, and his dedication and professionalism have been recognized by his recent promotion—he now oversees two of Superior’s south suburban stations.

Demel has had several cardiac arrest saves in the field, and he has touched countless lives during his career. He has proven that hard work, mixed with dedication and compassion, does a great service not only to the company but—more importantly—to the community. We are proud to nominate him as a 2018 Star of Life.

Mike Schwenke is a respected member of the EMS community in Effingham, Illinois, and has been for 14 years. He enjoys teaching almost as much as he loves being a Paramedic. Throughout his career, he has taught countless numbers of first responders, EMTs, and Paramedics. Mike excels in his teaching, and wants to make sure his coworkers can meet the same standards of excellence he holds for himself. While Mike has only been with Abbott EMS for one year, his dedication to the profession has proven invaluable to our operation.

Mike wants everyone to be knowledgeable, and is always first to answer questions from his team and others. He took the time to meet with local hospitals and train them on Abbott’s preferred airway devices, as they had not previously used the i-Gels brand. Mike also met with the local fire departments to improve communication and collaboration on emergency calls.

Paramedic Supervisor Jeff Odenthal’s EMS career spans nearly two decades. A lead Field Training Officer and prolific classroom instructor, Jeff jumps at the opportunity to teach new generations of EMTs and Paramedics. Jeff has a knack for instilling confidence in students and bringing calm to distressed patients. He is an effective and trusted leader who skillfully meets the needs of crew members under his supervision and the managers to whom he reports. Jeff’s colleagues say that he shows equal respect to everyone he encounters and treats his patients like family members.

In 2012, Jeff spent several weeks away from home, supporting the Super Storm Sandy response and recovery effort. His willingness to sacrifice for others is noticed and appreciated.

Eric D. Eizenga, EMT-P, currently serves as the Merrillville Station Manager and Merrillville 911 Operations Manager for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service in Indiana. Eric is a dedicated professional with over four years of experience working for Superior Ambulance.

Eric began his EMS career by going to EMT school at Advocate Health Hospital in 2012, where he graduated with honors. After graduation, Eric began working for Superior Ambulance in January of 2013. He quickly moved into a position on a CCT ambulance.

He soon realized that he wanted to continue developing his skills and taking on new challenges within the EMS profession. In May of 2015, Eric graduated from the accelerated Paramedic program at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Eric then took his National Registry exam and began working as a Paramedic.

In April of 2017, Eric started his current position as Merrillville Station Manager and Merrillville 911 Operations Manager . This role provides him with the opportunity to continue his professional development. Eric looks forward to taking on new challenges in this position and hopes to attend CCT school at Loyola in the near future, while maintaining his position as Manager.

In his free time, Eric enjoys working on cars and motorcycles. An avid outdoorsman, Eric also enjoys shooting, hunting, and fishing, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Kyle A. Wolber, EMT-B, currently serves as the Operations Liaison for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service in Illinois. Since May 2016, Kyle has been committed to helping Superior in all aspects of operations. Kyle is a dedicated professional with six years of experience in Emergency Medical Services and non-emergency ambulance and an EMT-B.

In 2006, Kyle began his role in EMS as a Firefighter/EMT-B for the Franklin Grove Fire Protection District, running approximately 1,500 calls a year for his local community as a paid-on-call. While serving his community, Kyle assisted in running a Congressional office for United States Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL 11th District), which he credits as one of his life’s peak moments. In 2009, Kyle left the EMS community to enlist in the United States Army as a combat soldier. Kyle served a total of six years, and advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant before leaving active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division. Kyle is a decorated war hero, serving one tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, earning himself a Bronze Star among many other awards. Kyle now serves in the Illinois Army National Guard as a Sergeant First Class, running a platoon of soldiers for his unit.

Kyle re-instated his license as an EMT-B and came to join the family at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service. Kyle began working on an ambulance and quickly advanced up to his current position. Kyle currently plays an active role in his community with the American Legion, VFW, and Citizen’s Police Academy. In his spare time, Kyle enjoys helping his family farm corn and beans in Northern Illinois, where they have horses, hogs, and cattle. Kyle loves to workout, Jet Ski at his family’s lake house in Michigan, and spend time with his friends and family. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service is proud to recognize Kyle as a 2017 Star of Life.

Ellen Fleming, Paramedic, I/C, currently serves as the Director of Corporate Accreditation for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. Since September 2016, Ellen has been dedicated to leading Superior through the CAAS accreditation process and toward CAMTS accreditation for the AirMed program and ground Critical Care Transport services.

Ellen is a highly-decorated professional with over 29 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services and non-emergency ambulance services. Ellen’s experience spans from being a Field Paramedic for 18 years, to Operations Supervisor at American Medical Response in Pontiac, Michigan, and an international fixed-wing flight paramedic at Kalitta Charters (MedFlight) in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In 2007, Ellen began her role in EMS management at Community EMS/Parastar Inc. in Southfield, Michigan, where she served in various leadership positions. Most notably, Ellen achieved CAAS accreditation 18 times for Community EMS and its multiple joint venture ambulance companies from 2009 to 2016, while concurrently serving as Director of Operations for Beaumont Medical Transportation Service in Troy, Michigan from 2013 to 2016. During her time at Community EMS/Parastar, Inc., Ellen also served as the Education Coordinator for the 2010 and 2011 Southeast Michigan EMS EXPO in Novi, Michigan, sponsored by Community EMS affiliates, Botsford Hospital and the Life Support Training Institute (LSTI). Ellen was also an Event Planner/Consultant for the 2012 conference. Ellen is currently an AHA ACLS Instructor at the University of Michigan Clinical Simulation Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is a licensed Paramedic EMS Instructor/Coordinator through the State of Michigan. Ellen has been a site reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) since 2001.

Throughout her EMS career, Ellen has served as the ALS Representative (private) at the Oakland County Medical Control Authority as a member of the Professional Standards Review Organization and the Medical Control Committee. In 2009, Ellen was recognized as Oakland County’s EMS Provider of the Year for dedicated service and longstanding commitment to excellence in EMS. Ellen is also a previous recipient of the American Ambulance Association’s Star of Life award presented in Washington D.C from her nomination by Community EMS in 2009. Ellen also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services (MAAS) from September 2012 to January 2015. Ellen’s personal adventures include multiple hikes in the Grand Canyon and she enjoys driving her 1976 Corvette Stingray and 2016 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack with her beloved golden retriever “Solei” on board. This summer, Ellen looks forward to polishing up one of Superior’s classic ambulances for the 2017 Woodward Cruise Vintage Emergency Vehicle Show.

Gregg James is a father of eleven children who serves as a Critical Care Paramedic, Lead Instructor, and Manager of Education Services for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance, the largest prehospital care agency in Illinois. Gregg is a graduate of the Oregon Health & Science University Paramedic Program, where he received an AAS with honors. He has served in EMS since 2002.

Gregg began his career as a fireman, where he was actively involved in community and firefighter education. After serving for several years with a 911 medical provider near Portland, Oregon, he moved in 2011 to the Chicagoland area and took up employment with Superior.

Gregg’s teaching style and work ethic reflect his strong values of respect and service. Since coming to Superior, he has spoken, with conviction, on the power of value-driven behavior in our industry to nearly 2,000 new employees. In 2015, he oversaw the training of over 800 EMTs and Paramedics. He has helped to develop a new field training officer program to provide novice care providers with more extensive field experience.

Gregg is presently Chairman of the Just Culture Committee, a program designed to promote both safety and personal and organizational growth in high-risk industries such as EMS. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance is proud to honor Gregg with the American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life.