Haywad Yusufzai enjoys working in EMS because it allows him to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As a first responder in critical situations, he is often the first to provide immediate medical care and comfort during emergencies. This pivotal role places him in dynamic, fast-paced environments where quick thinking and decisive action are crucial. The fast pace and constant challenges are especially rewarding for Haywad, who thrives in high-pressure situations and enjoys solving problems on the spot.

In February, Haywad will be celebrating his two-year anniversary at Armstrong, marking a significant milestone in his journey as an EMT. Initially drawn to the profession by his aspirations of becoming a firefighter, his fascination with fire trucks and equipment fueled his pursuit of EMT certification. Over time, his experiences have revealed a passion for patient interaction, and he is now enrolled in a Paramedic program which he is expected to complete this upcoming spring.

Beyond the adrenaline of the job, Haywad finds deep purpose and fulfillment in his role. Being directly involved in saving lives and helping people through their most vulnerable moments is a responsibility he holds close to his heart. He takes great pride in knowing that his work has a real impact, offering both medical care and emotional support when it’s needed most. For Haywad, EMS isn’t just a job—it’s a deeply fulfilling career that allows him to make a profound difference every day.

Haywad has earned the title “Star of Life” due to his exceptional growth and commitment to continuous improvement in both his skills and patient care. He often takes on the role of training new employees and has become a role model for incoming providers. Haywad always goes above and beyond to ensure his patients receive the highest quality care.

Kristen Hunter has been a dedicated member of the Action Ambulance Service, Inc. team for more than 16 years. During her time here, she has become a beloved Supervisor and a trusted mentor to her peers. Known for her positive outlook and can-do attitude, Kristen is always willing to go the extra mile to support her co-workers and ensure the best care for her community.

Outside of work, Kristen enjoys spending time with her two children, Caleb and Talor, as well as her two dogs, Justice and Liberty. She also has a passion for decorating and loves to make every occasion special.

Action Ambulance is proud to recognize Kristen Hunter as our 2024 Star of Life, honoring her outstanding service and dedication to both her team and the communities she serves.

Jon Hibbard has been an essential part of Action Ambulance Service, Inc. for over two years, bringing with him an impressive 45 years of experience in the EMS industry. During his time with Action Ambulance, Jon has quickly risen through the ranks, taking on pivotal roles such as Field Operations Supervisor, Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator, Clinical Manager, PIF Coordinator and Critical Care Paramedic. His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in improving both patient care and operational efficiency.

In addition to his work at Action Ambulance, Jon has served as the EMS Officer for the Bradley International Airport Fire Department, the Warehouse Point Fire Department, and has worked nearly 30 years as a Paramedic for the GPA Travelers Championship Golf Tournament, further highlighting his dedication to emergency services. His vast experience and commitment to his profession have had a profound impact on the communities he serves.

When Jon isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Ashley and three children—Jeffrey, Jameson, and Kensington. Action Ambulance Service is proud to honor Jon Hibbard as our 2024 Star of Life, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the EMS field and his unwavering dedication to his community.

Robert “Bobby” Hatzikonstantis joined EMS to gain firsthand experience in healthcare, choosing a field that combines unique challenges with the opportunity to help people in critical moments. From the very beginning, Bobby was drawn to the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of EMS, where quick thinking and decisive action are essential. The ability to make a real-time difference in people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments has been deeply rewarding for him.

Bobby finds immense purpose and fulfillment in the hands-on nature of his work and in serving his community. He often reflects on the significance of providing both medical care and emotional support to people on their worst days. The chance to bring comfort and reassurance during moments of crisis has been the most impactful and gratifying work of his life.

Over the years, Bobby has also forged lifelong relationships with his coworkers, partners, and managers, whom he considers a second family. The camaraderie and sense of belonging he’s found at Armstrong Ambulance have been invaluable, providing him with support and a close-knit community that shares a common mission.

Bobby has earned recognition as a Star of Life for his unwavering dedication to supporting his coworkers and his eagerness to mentor and teach others. He creates a welcoming atmosphere for new employees and fosters a collaborative learning environment. Many team members look to Bobby for guidance, knowing he is always willing to lend a helping hand. His leadership, compassion, and commitment to both his patients and colleagues make him a true asset to the EMS profession.

Kevin Moore has been a dedicated member of the EMS field for 43 years, beginning his career as an EMT and advancing to become a Paramedic. He lives on Plum Island in Newburyport, MA, with his wife, and has spent his career providing compassionate and attentive care to every patient he encounters.

Kevin consistently goes above and beyond for his patients, offering them his full attention from the moment he arrives on scene until he hands them over to hospital staff. He often takes the extra step of checking in on his patients in the emergency room, not just to see how they are doing but also to evaluate how his treatment plan aligns with their current condition. In cases where patients require transfers to another hospital, Kevin frequently volunteers to accompany them, ensuring continuity of care and demonstrating his genuine concern for their outcomes.

Despite his four decades in the field, Kevin remains open to learning. He consistently seeks to improve, learning from each challenging case, as well as from his partners and supervisors. His commitment to growth and adapting to new approaches exemplifies his dedication to his profession.

Throughout his long career, Kevin has made a lasting impact not only on his patients but also on the entire EMS community. Cataldo Ambulance Service is proud to nominate Kevin Moore as a 2024 Star of Life for his unwavering dedication and exemplary service.

William “Bill” Loftus-Rooney, an EMT with 14 years of experience, is being recognized as a 2024 Star of Life for his extraordinary bravery and quick thinking in saving two juveniles from a life-threatening situation. Known for his leadership, calm demeanor, and resolve in difficult circumstances, Bill’s actions on February 23, 2024, exemplify his dedication to patient care and emergency response.

On that day, Bill and his partner were returning to their service area in Holyoke, Massachusetts, after leaving a local emergency room. As they passed Van Horn Pond in Springfield, their ambulance was flagged down by two minors who had ventured onto unstable ice, causing one to fall through. Bill and his partner were the only emergency responders at the scene, with only a few bystanders nearby. After assessing the situation, Bill moved to the edge of the ice to help while his partner found the best access point and called for backup from the Springfield Police, Springfield Fire Department, and tech rescue team.

Bill approached the struggling minor in the water, but the ice gave way beneath him, and he fell in as well. Despite the dangerous situation, Bill managed to lift the minor out of the water and onto the ice. His partner, a bystander, and the Springfield Fire Department worked together using a makeshift rope to pull the minor to shore. Bill then extricated himself from the ice, ensuring both his and the minor’s safety. He immediately provided care for the patient, transporting them to the hospital for hypothermia treatment before returning to duty—changing into a dry uniform and finishing out his 24-hour shift.

Bill was born and raised in Western Massachusetts and is committed to providing exceptional care to the residents of Holyoke and the surrounding communities. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with friends, going to the gym, and cooking. Bill is currently enrolled in Paramedic school, and his colleagues are excited to see him take the next step in his career as an Advanced Life Support provider.

For his bravery and dedication, Bill Loftus-Rooney is a deserving recipient of the 2024 Star of Life Award.

Emily Chandler is being recognized for her commitment to training and retaining EMTs and Paramedics. Through her work as Program Director and Lead Paramedic Instructor for NCTI of Massachusetts, she has helped bring new skilled, committed first responders to the EMS profession. In her expanded role as EMS Programs Manager for AMR Springfield, she is the driving force behind bringing the award-winning Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program to Massachusetts.

Thanks to Emily’s oversight, Springfield has graduated a total of 13 EMT EWYL classes and three Paramedic classes with EWYL graduates. Emily also travels throughout the country to mentor and facilitate new EWYL rollouts and program oversight. She has become one of the faces of this successful program.

Through her many graduates—who embody her knowledge and patient-care expertise—Emily impacts thousands of lives across Massachusetts and the entire country, every day. She is proud of her accomplishments but continues to look for ways to improve EWYL, the NTCI Paramedic and EMT programs, and herself.

In 2019, Lilliana Ferguson enrolled in an EMT course for academic credit and to gain patient contact hours. She began her mobile healthcare career at UMass EMS in college before relocating to the Boston area and joining Cataldo Ambulance Service.

Lilliana states that she initially joined the Cataldo team, “because of Cataldo’s good reputation in the Boston area” and the call volume and population diversity for patient contact hours. She adds, “I fell in love with EMS. Every day is different, and you never know what to expect. You get to meet a lot of people and be exposed to their lifestyles.”

Lilliana became a Paramedic in 2021 and has since become extremely adept at managing high-acuity patients. She is always prepared to confidently surmount any complications or barriers to ensure patients always receive exceptional care. Over the course of her EMS career, Lilliana has been a field training officer at both the BLS and ALS levels. Her experience, knowledge, and positive nature makes her a great role model for her peers.

Christopher “Chris” Crowell initially enrolled in an EMT course in college for academic credit and to gain patient contact hours. Soon after, he joined the Atlantic division of Cataldo Ambulance Service, the contracted ambulance provider in his hometown of Lynn, Massachusetts. Chris fell in love with EMS immediately, and notes that “when it’s rewarding, it is extremely rewarding.”

Chris has an innate talent for establishing trust with patients with whom it might be more difficult to build rapport. As a BLS Clinical Field Supervisor, he applies these same skills to effectively manage team members in the field. He leads colleagues with the same empathy and understanding he learned by managing complex patient situations.

Cataldo team members rely on Chris to handle any situation that is thrown at him in a way that is consistent, fair, and reliable. His friendly and outgoing nature helps all team members feel welcomed and supported as he assists them in diffusing difficult situations while ensuring that patient care is never compromised. “Knowing that people rely on me and have confidence in me is what keeps me coming back to work every day,” Chris adds.

Bobbi Tremblay began her EMS career in April of 1997 as an EMT at Armstrong Ambulance Service in Arlington, MA. She quickly rose through the ranks to become a base supervisor in Peabody, MA and then later in Wilmington, MA. Bobbi was an excellent EMT for many years, but a shoulder injury began a new journey for her. After surgery to address her issue, Bobbi joined the Communications Department in 2006 as a Call Taker and quickly became an Emergency Medical Dispatcher.

Since joining the Communications Department 17 years ago, Bobbi has been a cornerstone of Armstrong’s dispatch operations. Bobbi has done, and will do, anything asked for the betterment of the team, including picking up shifts, training new staff, and offering suggestions on how to improve processes and the room as a whole. Throughout Armstrong Ambulance, Bobbi is known for her skill and empathy by callers and colleagues alike. Whether it’s her fellow Dispatchers, crews out on the road, or anyone who calls into her line, Bobbi treats everyone with respect, patience, and genuine kindness.

Bobbi has thoroughly enjoyed every role she has held in EMS, but she admits to enjoying EMD the most. Says Bobbi, “When Armstrong started emergency medical dispatching for multiple towns, it quickly became my favorite position. In my time here, I have assisted in delivering a baby and giving CPR instructions multiple times. My most satisfying call was for a facial laceration where I recognized the situation as being an assault. I was able to obtain identifying information as well as the location of the incident to update police prior to their arrival.” Clearly, Bobbi’s natural compassion helps her excel at her job.

In her free time, Bobbi loves to spend time with her grandkids and her dogs, Marley and Koda. Bobbi also has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and gardening when she is not busy helping others!

During Samantha “Sam” Migliore’s senior year of high school, while manning the cash register at her after-school job, she noticed a woman who didn’t appear much older than her wearing an EMT uniform. At that moment Sam realized that joining the EMS field was an attainable goal. That fall she enrolled in an EMT course and obtained her certification soon after.

Sam began working for Armstrong Ambulance in 2019, the day after she graduated from high school. She quickly fell in love with EMS, enjoying the work and the meaning behind it. Sam finds it deeply rewarding to assist patients during some of their most challenging moments. She recognizes the necessity of bringing a sense of calm to a chaotic scene.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam took a two-year leave of absence from her studies to work full-time on the front lines. She dedicated most of her time to Armstrong Ambulance’s COVID-19 response efforts focused on testing and vaccinating individuals across Massachusetts. Sam is proud to have worked alongside such motivated and resilient teams during the pandemic.

Combining her two passions—healthcare and education—Sam decided to pursue a degree focused on healthcare upon her return to school. As a Field Training Officer at Armstrong, Sam developed a uniform curriculum to train the next generation of EMTs with the tools they need to succeed in the field. Sam feels that teaching is the most rewarding aspect of her job, and aims to instill in trainees the same passion for EMS that drives her. To know Sam is to know why it’s easy for Armstrong Ambulance to recognize her as an incredible instructor, consummate professional, highly skilled clinician, mentor to many, and all-around great person.

Sam is currently a senior at UMass Lowell. In spring she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. From there, Sam hopes to continue her education by enrolling in Physician Associate (PA) school where she can further her emergency medicine skills.

In her free time, Sam enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, taking road trips across New England, and spending time with her puggle, Rocco.

Jacqueline Helms began her career in EMS four years ago as a sophomore in college. While working on her bachelor’s degree in physiology and neurobiology at the University of Connecticut, Jacqueline became an EMT-B in order to get her foot in the door of the field of medicine. She quickly fell in love with the job.

Jacqueline worked at Fallon Ambulance Service throughout college, and joined the Action Ambulance team shortly after finishing her degree. She has greatly enjoyed working in such a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and especially loves that she gets to learn something new from every patient and coworker she meets.

Eleven years ago, Leslie O’Dell began her EMS career by accident. After her former husband left the military, Leslie moved to a town with a wilderness medical school. She was already an experienced hiker and had always wanted to take a Wilderness EMT course to help with search-and-rescues, so she signed up for the class. She had never considered making a career as an EMT, but the final two weeks of the course were set up for urban EMS and she was able to test for her EMT-B certification after its completion. So, at the age of thirty-five, Leslie received her EMT qualifications and began working on the local town ambulance.

Although Leslie initially thought her stint as an EMT on an ambulance would be temporary, she fell in love with the job. She currently works as a full-time Advanced EMT for Action Ambulance and per diem at her local fire department, Conway Fire & Rescue.

Delaney Kenny has been an EMT with Armstrong Ambulance since 2019. Delaney states that she has always had a desire to work in the medical field and help other people. Her passion was sparked while in high school, when Delaney went on her first overseas trip to Panama, where she did outreach work, specifically with orphaned children. That trip to Panama really confirmed Delaney’s desired career path. She started in EMS, in hopes of learning basic assessment tools and how to interact with patients. She credits her time at Armstrong with improving her patient care skills and so much more.

Since she has been at Armstrong, Delaney has been recognized many times for her caring and empathy by colleagues, supervisors, and patients. We often receive heartfelt thank you notes praising Delaney for being kind, caring, and courteous while also providing excellent patient care. Patients have said that her kindness while they were in pain has “made their day.” Delaney sets the bar high when it comes to patient care and leads by example for every new hire she trains. She cares for every patient with the thoughtfulness and attention that we would want for our own family members.

During the height of the pandemic, instead of shying away from the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, Delaney stepped up to help Armstrong run several municipal testing locations in addition to her regular BLS shift work. Delaney also played a big role in the emergency vaccination projects and was a huge contributor in Armstrong’s efforts to vaccinate the entire Massachusetts State Police force. During that time, her leadership skills became evident, and she was chosen to become a Field Training Officer to guide new EMTs during their field orientation.

In addition to her work at Armstrong, Delaney has continued her overseas volunteer work, most recently in July 2021. Delaney was the clinical lead for a team of fifteen student volunteers from the organization Royal Servants, who were engaged in outreach efforts at primary schools and orphanages in Nairobi, Kenya. Delaney was tasked with managing strict COVID regulations for the team, amongst other activities, and ensuring that everyone was compliant with protocols. The group enjoyed a successful month-long mission and upon return to the states, Delaney jumped right back into her EMT duties at Armstrong.

When not in the field, Delaney enjoys finding new coffee shops, reading, and spending time with her friends and her two dogs. She is currently attending Paramedic school and looks forward to applying what she is learning in the classroom to her work in the field. One of her favorite things about her career in EMS is showing up to a scene and getting to make a new connection with another human being in such a short period, with the hopes of helping them.

Armstrong Ambulance is proud to call Delaney Kenny a 2022 Star of Life!

Nick Henderson started his EMS career wanting to follow in his family’s footsteps as a third-generation Firefighter for his hometown in Norwell, MA. He finished an EMT program in 1999. At that time, Norwell was moving towards becoming a Paramedic-level service and Nick was advised to get his Paramedic certification before applying. In order to gain the year of 911 experience required for the Paramedic school application, Nick got a job as an EMT with AMR in Brockton. He quickly moved to the Boston metropolitan area and started with Newton Rescue 1, a dedicated BLS 911 truck. In 2001, he was accepted to EMTS Inc. with Cape Cod Community College (CCCC).

Nick finished medic school with EMTS, Inc. and CCCC in late 2002. After all that time, he found firefighting was not a fit for him, and decided he wanted to be in the medical field instead. He started as a Paramedic on March 29, 2003, a date he remembers well, as it was one week after his wedding.

Over the years, Nick worked for a few different EMS agencies, but finally settled with Armstrong Ambulance in 2012. During Nick’s tenure, Armstrong has received many heartfelt notes from patients thanking him for his compassionate care. He worked his way through several positions at Armstrong, including Field Training Officer, Training Coordinator, and Field Operations Manager, and currently is proud to serve as Senior Clinical Manager.

According to Nick’s colleagues, Nick is passionate about the ins and outs of EMS and strives to constantly improve himself and all those around him. When Nick was promoted to Senior Clinical Manager, instead of retreating away to his office, he continued to work plenty of shifts on the front lines. It is not uncommon to spot Nick working an emergency shift on the weekends, gaining feedback from other field providers and spreading his vast knowledge to those who are hungry to learn. Nick is a talented Paramedic who pays great attention to even the slightest of details. He truly listens to his patients and takes the time to get to know each one. He often leads teams through uncertain and nerve-wracking situations while maintaining a calm demeanor that allows his team and patients to feel secure in his care.

However, it is as an educator that some of Nick’s greatest qualities are truly on display. Nick is dedicated to helping our providers reach clinical excellence. He is thorough, approachable, and patient when training new providers, and never fails to lend a hand to those whom he knows may be too scared to ask for it. Nick encourages questions and never shames those around him for not knowing something. He famously states “the stupidest questions are those never asked” to almost every trainee or provider he works with. Nick is constantly looking to better himself and dedicates his time to improving his clinical and interpersonal skills.

When not on duty, Nick enjoys spending his time with his kids, as well as being outdoors – hunting, fishing and ATVing.

Armstrong Ambulance is proud to call Nick Henderson our 2022 Star of Life!

Peter has been in EMS with Transformative Healthcare for seven years, and is currently a BLS Field Supervisor & Hospital Liaison.

Peter is inspired by helping the community through EMS and has built great relationships with patients and their families.

Jose began at Transformative Healthcare in 2013, where he worked as an EMT while attending college. After serving as a Paramedic in a high-volume 911 system on Massachusetts’s North Shore, Jose returned to Transformative Healthcare this year as a full-time Paramedic.

His time spent working as an EMT, AEMT, and now a Paramedic has given Jose a unique perspective and molded him into an exceptional EMS leader.

Jose is originally from Chicago and loves to return to visit his family.

Linda joined Cataldo Ambulance Service in 2008 as an EMT and worked her way up to Paramedic. Linda entered EMS unexpectedly, but felt that after her time spent in many other trades, EMS offered her a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of strangers, and she certainly has many times over. Linda shows enormous pride for her work, never settling for anything but superb performance.

Linda always put the patient’s needs first from the moment she is dispatched for the call. She knows that when she punches-in for duty, it is about her job and helping the citizens of the cities we serve. We all know it is our job to care, but sometimes our body language can really speak volumes about how we feel, and patients can read that. Linda’s body language always shows care and concern. She goes right to their side, and offers human-to-human contact that can sometimes be more healing for individuals than any medication we have available.

Linda is a vital member of not just the Cataldo community but the EMS community, and her dedication and respect for the work she does goes above and beyond.

Katherine’s impact in EMS began in 2004 when she graduated from Bunker Hill Community College’s Medical Technician Program. Katherine joined Cataldo in 2015 as both an EMT and a Dispatcher. She has played a vital role as a member of the Cataldo community. Whether on the road or on the phone, Katherine has always stepped up and gone above and beyond for every patient.

In 2018 Katherine was promoted to a Supervisor, where she has stepped up as a leader and has continued to go the extra mile for each and every call. She is an asset, not just to Cataldo Ambulance Service, but to the profession as a whole. Katherine is an extremely committed Dispatcher and Supervisor and she truly deserves this recognition for her dedication and compassion.

Andrew Sweeney has worked in mobile healthcare for 12 years. His passion for working with people drove him to a career in EMS, beginning as a wheelchair van driver. In 2007, Andrew became an EMT Basic, and in 2009, a Paramedic. He has been with Action Ambulance since September of 2018, working as a full-time Paramedic.

When asked to describe the best part of his job, Andrew says, “I get to interact with such a vast cross section of the population; from the smiles on expecting parents’ faces when you tell them that it’s a boy or girl, to the comfort of holding a lonely old person’s hand at the end so they don’t face that alone. The ability to bring comfort to and help people never gets old.”

In his short time at Action, Andrew has demonstrated his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to serve patients. He has also shown his innate aptitude for teamwork: He is always willing to help his company and his peers. His love of people and of serving as a Paramedic is evident to everyone. Action Ambulance is lucky to call him part of the family.