KC Robbins exemplifies servant-leadership by helping her crew members and coworkers meet the demands of the day. As someone who is always looking for new ways to improve and expand protocols, KC is often busy either filling in as a Supervisor and Field Training Officer in McDonough County, Illinois, or training staff in Buchanan County, Iowa, which is home to a new operation she helped to found. Her devotion to her job has taken her to many places across the nation, including New York City and Florida for COVID-19 response support, and Washington, D.C. for the 2021 Inauguration of President Biden, where she served as strike team leader.

KC’s consistent desire to help is reflected in her willingness to travel and serve at operations other than her own, particularly when those operations are severely short-staffed. She has worked many 100-hour weeks providing yearly training sessions for both McDonough County and Buchanan County operations. She also ran a COVID vaccine clinic in Chicago for Pfizer for five to six weeks with little to no assistance or guidance. KC is a self-motivated individual who is driven by her passion to help others in any way she can.

Jose A. Salas (“Joe”)  began his career in EMS in 1992 as an Emergency Medical Technician. In 1994, he transitioned to EMS dispatch with Advanced Medical Transport, which eventually became AMR of Illinois. In March 1997, Joe began his journey at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois, Inc., where he worked in the Communications Center as an EMS Dispatcher for seven years. He then transferred to Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana, Inc. and was promoted to Dispatch Supervisor. Joe became the Dispatch Manager in 2020, and is responsible for Superior’s Indiana and Ohio Communications Centers. Joe provides exceptional leadership to Dispatchers, Customer Service Representatives, and On-site Coordinators: all working together as a solid team.

Joe is a certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) through the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch. He participates in many of the national EMD conferences, particularly the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Navigator, to keep current and knowledgeable on key changes and critical information regarding EMD. He has helped implement and train dispatchers in system status management, which is still in use to this day.

Recently, Superior Ambulance of Indiana relocated its dispatch center into a new state-of-the-art facility. Not only was the move inherently difficult, but we had to close one dispatch center and reopen another, all while still providing exceptional customer service to our 911 communities and hospital systems. Joe was instrumental in ensuring this seamless transition.

In 2020, the Superior Ambulance of Ohio was created. The biggest challenge was taking two completely different companies (Columbus Connection and CEMS), which had their own cultures and identities, and remolding them into a new Superior culture. Time, patience, and communication were essential to accomplish this monumental task while continuing to provide exceptional customer service to the 911 community and hospital systems we serve.

Joe is a servant leader who purposefully uses active listening to make sure that collaboration is achieved. His personal mission statement is “Coming together is the beginning; Keeping together is the progress; Working together is the success.” Joe’s colleagues describe him as driven and passionate about his job and his personnel, and assert that “he spends a lot of time developing individuals in the dispatch center.” Joe aspires to lead both his teams through the ACE accreditation. His goal for his employees is to give them the tools they need for success in both their personal and professional lives.

In his free time, Joe enjoys spending time with family and friends. He is a proud father of three. His oldest daughter is involved in social work and his other daughter is in her last year of nursing school. His son is still deciding which college to attend. Joe is also proud of his Native American heritage. His father was a Lakota Sioux Chief. Joe is active in the Native American Nation and frequently attends events in the community. He also volunteers at the National Gathering of American Indian Veterans’ annual event at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois. It is an event held over three days that honors veterans and military personnel of all cultures, eras, and branches in the Native American style.

Denyse Viger has been a licensed Paramedic for twenty-two years and an EMS Instructor/Coordinator for seventeen years in the state of Michigan. She holds provider and instructor certifications for multiple American Heart Association and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians programs (ACLS, PALS, CPR-BLS, PHTLS, AMLS, and GEMS).

Denyse began her career as a Paramedic at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan, Inc. in March 2013. For seventeen years prior to her start at Superior, Denyse served in the roles of Instructor and Clinical Coordinator at Henry Ford College – EMS Division. Denyse holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Siena Heights University, where she majored in Health Care Management and Paramedic Technology.

Throughout 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Denyse became the Program Director of Superior’s EMS School, Life Support Training Institute (LSTI). In this role, she immediately faced the challenges of an EMS staffing shortage brought on by the pandemic, as well as those from the large acquisition of another service. Although her experience and expertise are extensive, nothing could have prepared her for the hardships she faced in this context. Through it all, Denyse was able to lead the school’s painstaking change of ownership and CoAEMSP/CAAHEP accreditation transition, all the while maintaining the daily operations of the largest accredited EMS school in Michigan, as well as LSTI’s two satellite locations in Toledo and Grove City, Ohio.

In her role, Denyse precisely aligns her professional duties with the operational needs of the company. She provides vital leadership as she trains EMS practitioners in Michigan and Ohio, and her hard work is crucial for maintaining quality EMS staffing levels in order to keep ambulance services deployed. Her impressive management of the EMT and Paramedic programs, of the American Heart Association training, and of continuing education requirements for NREMT and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness contributes to the overall success of Superior. Most importantly, Denyse’s work assures the highest quality of care delivered to patients and she is dedicated to this mission.

Denyse also serves as the Chairperson for Superior’s Professional Standards Review Committee, working collaboratively with other key members and the Agency Medical Director, to review clinical standards at Superior.

In her personal time, Denyse enjoys spending quality time with her family. She is the proud mother of three. Her oldest daughter, Alizabeth, is working on her BSN degree while also employed as an ER Technician. Her two sons, Ryan and Robert, are both Paramedics at Detroit EMS. Denyse’s hobbies include Spartan Races as well as playing and coaching football. She also enjoys traveling, sightseeing, and learning new things.

Bruce Troutman has played an active role in EMS for the last eighteen years. He began his career at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. in 2002 as an EMT, while simultaneously studying psychology at Loyola University Chicago. He quickly developed a passion for the ambulance service industry and prehospital care. He obtained his Paramedic license in 2004 and then advanced to his first leadership role as a Station Manager after college. By 2006, he had completed training to become a Critical Care Paramedic and transitioned to the Critical Care Transport Team.

While serving on the Critical Care Team, Bruce discovered that transporting critically ill patients was his passion. He quickly became one of the team’s leading clinicians and educators. Demonstrating effective leadership in operations, a passion for advanced education, and a desire to raise the standards for patient care, Bruce worked in multiple leadership roles including CCT Assistant Manager, Clinical Coordinator, and Clinical Manager. Bruce’s primary focus has always been to ensure that critical care providers deliver high quality care to their patients. In his clinical leadership roles, he developed new orientation, continuing education, and Critical Care Paramedic curriculums. He also formalized the division’s quality processes into a multi-disciplinary quality management program to include collaboration with hospital stakeholders.

Throughout his career, Bruce has frequently sought opportunities to make himself a better provider, educator, and leader. He maintains instructor certifications in ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS. He also obtained certifications in Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care, EMS Education, and as a Medical Transport Executive; and, in 2013, he cross-trained in flight operations. After becoming a Flight Medic, Bruce served a term on the Board of the International Association of Flight and Critical Care Paramedics. Bruce returned to school in 2016, and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University and his RN license.

In 2018, Bruce was promoted to Director of Flight Operations and Assistant Director for the Critical Care Division. His clinical expertise and experience, along with his exacting standards, strategic mindset, commitment to excellence, and unmatched work ethic have proven invaluable to the Critical Care and Flight programs. Under his leadership, the Critical Care and Flight Team’s scope of practice has increased; ground and air teams have further integrated; new protocols, policies, and procedures have been developed; and services have expanded. Bruce’s hard work paid off when he led his flight division to achieve CAMTS accreditation in November 2019.

Despite his full-time leadership roles, Bruce loves clinical practice and ensures he is always scheduled on an ambulance or helicopter a few times a month. In his personal time, Bruce lives a quiet life forty miles southwest of Chicago and enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially his niece and nephews.

Mirinda Richardson has worked in the ambulance service industry for sixteen years and began her career at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan, Inc. in March 2007, first in the role of Receptionist and soon after, Scheduling Coordinator.

In 2018, Mirinda was promoted to Scheduling & Licensing Manager. In this vital role, Mirinda has demonstrated herself to be highly capable of ensuring that the EMS schedule is filled with the appropriate staff, which is crucial to keeping ambulance resources deployed. Mirinda also works in concert with the Superior Education Department to schedule newly trained EMT students for clinical shifts before they enter into full-time positions at Superior. Further, Mirinda is responsible for monitoring licensing credentials for all EMS personnel, along with handling vehicle and agency licensing with the State of Michigan. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mirinda has tirelessly assured the staffing of EMS personnel during this unprecedented and challenging time.

Mirinda continuously proves herself to be an instrumental leader at Superior, especially at a time when staffing shortages in the industry have presented serious challenges for ambulance services. Her position requires dedicated and constant attention. She always stands up to the enormous task of managing the deployment schedules of 300+ EMS employees, in addition to clinical shifts for 30-50 EMS students throughout the year, and new-hire orientation “third-ride” shifts, along with managing the staffing coverage for large special events, such as the Detroit Lions games. Mirinda also joins operations on-site at Ford Field where she functions as Stadium Supervisor and Dispatcher for Superior personnel at events.

Mirinda is well known for her friendly, composed demeanor, and her positivity and exceedingly strong work ethic serve as an example for everyone with whom she interacts. Mirinda is a mild-mannered, thoughtful professional whose strength lies in her dependable, strong character. She was a key contributor to Superior of Michigan achieving CAAS accreditation in November 2017 and she is easily recognized as a highly valued member of the Superior team.

In her personal time, Mirinda enjoys spending quality time with her family and is a proud mother of three. Her son, Justyn, recently completed service in the U.S. Navy with the rank of Petty Officer Second Class, after being stationed at the Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia. Mirinda lives in New Baltimore, Michigan with her two daughters: Mia, a college student, and Adrianna, who is in middle school.

Tiffany Petyo has been in EMS for eighteen years, ten of which she has been a Paramedic. She has worked at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service for the last six years, and has worked her way up to being a manager for the past two years.

She loves to mentor newcomers and work with seasoned professionals. She has had the opportunity to work with some of the best EMTs and Paramedics in the profession. Tiffany would love to continue to learn and grow in this industry and could not imagine not working in this profession.    

Tiffany is married with four children, who have all supported and encouraged her throughout her career. She is an avid Cubs fan and enjoys going to games with her family. She hopes to continue to do what she loves for many years to come and is truly honored and humbled for this award and experience. 

Dave Holleman began his EMS career with Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. in August 2000. He currently serves as a Paramedic, and is part of the Superior leadership team as a manager within the Special Events Division. Dave is an integral part of a team that is involved with many sporting events, concerts, festivals, and the Chicago Marathon.

While still providing excellent patient care at many events working as a Paramedic, Dave has the additional responsibility as Disaster Response Manager, a role he has thrived in since 2009. As Manager of the Special Response Team, Dave ensures that all responders are properly credentialed and meet all qualifications to be able to assist on a national response.

Dave has been on ten deployments to date, recently taking a group of 25 employees to New York to help with the COVID-19 response in March 2020. At a time when little was known about the pandemic, Dave and his team knew they could at least assist in providing excellent patient care while also giving some relief to other responders.

With his twenty-one years of experience, Dave has consistently seen other opportunities to assist those in need. He has previously organized multiple volunteer opportunities for coworkers including providing meals for families through the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Recently Dave has been a blood donation coordinator, hosting multiple blood drives at our station to help those in our community.

During his free time, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, Jeanette, their two sons, Vince and Jack, and their four rescue dogs.

We are proud to call Dave Holleman one of our own and nominate him as a 2022 Star of Life recipient.

Timothy “Tim” Dunne joined Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois as the Inventory Control Manager in November of 2018. He has since obtained the title of Senior Supply Chain Manager, and oversees the inventory, assets, and purchases for the entire company. Tim’s work ethic is based on the empathy and compassion he has for helping others.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical supplies and PPE became exceedingly difficult to obtain. Tim worked diligently and consistently to locate and secure enough PPE for all of Superior’s employees. Tim was an intricate part in helping instill a sense of safety during a time in which others felt insecure.

Tim gives as much care to his job as he does to his family. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Samantha, and children, Liam, Connor, and Owen.

Superior Ambulance is appreciative to Tim Dunne for all his hard work and is proud to name him a 2022 Star of Life.

Martha Augustine became an Emergency Medical Technician and began her EMS career with Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois in 2006. In 2008, she obtained her Paramedic license. For a short time, she worked in Central Illinois, handling 911 and inter-facility response before returning to Superior to assist with the Deepwater Horizon BP (Gulf of Mexico) Oil Spill and with special events. During her EMS work at the oil spill disaster, Martha met her wife.

Martha enhanced her Paramedic credential by attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Critical Care course, which allowed her to work as a full-time Critical Care Transport (CCT) Paramedic. In 2016, she became the CCT Station Manager for Illinois, and continued through the ranks to become the Wisconsin and Rockford (Illinois) Regional Operations Manager in 2019. With her excellent leadership skills, Martha was the obvious choice to lead Superior’s Wisconsin operations as General Manager in 2021.

Since then, Superior of Wisconsin has opened seven new stations and has gone “live” with providing ambulance service to ten hospitals and two free-standing emergency departments. Martha has excelled in this role despite major changes during an EMS staffing shortage and the COVID-19 pandemic. On the horizon, Martha will lead the opening of Superior of Wisconsin’s eight stations. It is because of Martha’s fantastic leadership during significant growth and for the way she has faced the challenges in the industry during these unprecedented times that she was selected as a Superior 2022 Star of Life.

While not working on an ambulance caring for patients, leading the Superior team in Wisconsin, or helping with other important initiatives at Superior, Martha surrounds herself with the people, places, and animals she loves. She enjoys fishing (or pretending to fish) and spending time with her family, especially her wife and nieces, doing anything that involves being by a lake in the summer. She recently started obedience classes with her beloved dog, a wire-haired pointing griffon and black lab mix, who aspires to be a therapy dog someday.

Rebecca Hartman has grown up in the emergency medical services industry. She has been part of the team at Abbott for the past decade, but first became involved in EMS when she was 16 years old. As Lead Field Training Officer, Becca oversees trainers, conducts case reviews, and helps mentor team members – all while continuing to work in the field.

After several of her team members were exposed to opiates while responding to calls, Becca took it upon herself to ensure everyone was educated and prepared for this potential exposure. She first initiated a training class for employees, and then contacted several local fire and police departments to begin teaching a class on opiate exposures. She wanted to make sure that as many first responders as possible were aware of the dangers of opiates and of how they can decrease the exposure for first responders.

Another example of Becca’s commitment to her community is demonstrated every Friday when she visits a local elementary school to offer high fives and a boost of encouragement to students starting their day. Several other EMTs and Paramedics have also been convinced by Becca to participate in this simple activity which produces extraordinary reactions from the children. Becca’s positive outlook is inspiring. She has earned the trust, respect and admiration of her colleagues, patients, and community.

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.