Alexia Morgan was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, with an early desire to help people through some of life’s most difficult moments. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a trauma surgeon. Although her path ultimately took an unexpected direction, that desire to make a meaningful difference for patients and families never changed.

While pursuing pre-med studies in college, Alexia discovered an interest in forensic science and eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Forensics. Her first professional internship was with the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office, but an experience outside the classroom ultimately led her toward a career she had not anticipated.

One day, Alexia witnessed a fatal hit-and-run crash. Without hesitation, she stopped and went to the injured pedestrian’s side. Despite her efforts, the individual died in her arms. The heartbreaking experience left a lasting impression on Alexia, as did the gratitude expressed by the victim’s family for her willingness to remain present during such a difficult moment. Alexia realized she wanted the knowledge and skills to respond effectively when people faced medical emergencies. That realization led her to EMS.

Alexia enrolled at Dorsey College to pursue her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) education. While later working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a hospital, she encountered a Medstar Ambulance crew transporting a patient. One of the Paramedics encouraged her to apply, telling Alexia that she would be a good fit for EMS. She submitted her application that same evening.

Remarkably, Alexia’s first ride was with the same Paramedic who had encouraged her to apply. During that shift, they responded to an extremely traumatic call. After seeing how Alexia handled herself, the Paramedic told her, “You were made for this EMS lifestyle. You handled that with flying colors on day one.” The words became an important source of confidence as Alexia continued building her career.

With the support of her instructor, Alexia overcame significant test anxiety and successfully passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination on her first attempt. Over the past four and a half years, what began as a career aspiration has become something much deeper. EMS has given Alexia a community, a family, and a calling.

Alexia remains motivated by the opportunity to bring compassion and reassurance to people during their most vulnerable moments. Whether calming a frightened patient, helping stabilize someone during a critical emergency, or simply being present for a family facing an uncertain moment, she strives to give each patient everything she has.

Alexia’s journey has taught her that a calling does not always follow the path a person first imagines. Her childhood dream was to make a difference as a trauma surgeon; instead, she found a profession that allows her to make that difference in an immediate and deeply personal way—one patient and one family at a time.

Medstar Ambulance is proud to recognize Alexia Morgan as a Star of Life.

Kaitlyn “Katie” Freeman is a Critical Care Paramedic with Medstar, serving communities throughout Genesee County, Michigan. With 12 years of EMS experience and an extensive background in hospital-based care, Katie has earned the trust of coworkers, patients, and families through her clinical knowledge, calm presence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Katie’s path to EMS began when a flight nurse she worked alongside recognized her aptitude in the emergency department and intensive care unit and encouraged her to pursue prehospital medicine. Her hospital experience has spanned emergency care, intensive care, obstetrics, surgical recovery, general medicine, and orthopedics, giving her an unusually broad clinical foundation. Throughout her career, she has held 17 different certifications and has continually sought opportunities to expand her knowledge.

Katie’s determination was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she worked full-time in both hospital care and EMS while simultaneously completing Paramedic school. Balancing frontline service in two demanding healthcare environments with the rigors of Paramedic education demonstrated the discipline and commitment to patient care that continue to define her career.

That depth of experience is evident on every call. Katie is known for remaining composed under pressure while quickly evaluating multiple aspects of a complex situation. Meticulous in her assessments and particularly skilled in cardiology, she continually studies emerging interventions, protocols, and treatment approaches. Her expertise has earned her the affectionate nickname “Cardiac Katie,” and colleagues regularly seek her guidance on cardiology, protocols, and challenging clinical situations.

Coming from a family of teachers, Katie also has a natural passion for education. She enjoys helping students and colleagues strengthen their knowledge and encourages those around her to continually improve. She hopes to build on that passion by becoming a Field Training Officer and completing instructor-coordinator training.

Perhaps the strongest testament to Katie’s abilities is the trust placed in her by fellow EMS professionals. She has repeatedly been called upon to care for colleagues and their family members during serious medical emergencies. Her partner credits Katie’s clinical judgment and decisive care with helping save the lives of two members of his family. Her willingness to help wherever she is needed has even extended beyond human patients: during a house fire, Katie assisted in rescuing three dogs.

Katie’s compassion has also been formally recognized. During her hospital service, she received a Starfish Award for the care and compassion she demonstrated to patients and was also named Employee of the Month.

Outside of medicine, Katie enjoys photography, gardening, camping in Pentwater, spending time with her dog, and helping friends and family. She is also an accomplished baker whose pies have earned first-place honors in competitions.

Through her clinical expertise, compassion, lifelong learning, and willingness to share her knowledge with others, Katie represents the qualities that strengthen both patient care and the EMS profession. Medstar is proud to recognize Kaitlyn “Katie” Freeman as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life.

Maryam Dawood is an EMT and Field Training Officer with Medstar in Metro Detroit, Michigan, whose passion for emergency medical services is closely connected to her interests in public health, education, and community service.

Maryam’s journey into EMS began in high school, when she enrolled in an EMT course. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from completing the program, but the interruption did not change her determination to pursue the profession. Just a few years later, at age 19, Maryam earned her EMT license through Macomb Community College and began building the career she had envisioned.

As an EMT, Maryam takes tremendous pride in providing professional and compassionate care to her patients. She values EMS because it continually challenges her to learn, improve, and become a stronger provider. That commitment to growth has also shaped her work as a Field Training Officer. In that role, Maryam encourages every student she mentors to hold themselves to high standards while never losing sight of the compassion and professionalism patients deserve.

Her experiences in EMS further strengthened Maryam’s interest in education and public health. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public health with a background in biology and used her undergraduate research to explore the importance of naloxone in communities affected by substance use disorder. Her firsthand exposure to overdose prevention through EMS helped inform her interest in the subject and reinforced her belief in the importance of education, prevention, and accessible care.

Maryam has carried that commitment into her work with a harm reduction agency in Detroit, where she provides accessible basic health care and connects people with substance use disorders to additional social care resources. Her EMS background has helped her recognize the importance of meeting people where they are and combining clinical care with education, compassion, and community support.

Maryam believes that caring for others and helping lift them up is among the highest honors a person can have. Whether caring for a patient, mentoring an EMT student, or supporting someone through harm reduction services, she puts that belief into practice.

Through her compassion, resilience, mentorship, and commitment to connecting EMS with broader community health needs, Maryam represents a promising generation of EMS professionals dedicated not only to responding to emergencies, but also to strengthening the communities they serve. Medstar is proud to recognize Maryam Dawood as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life.

Lori Peterson, a Paramedic and Field Training Officer at Medstar Ambulance, is recognized by her peers for her exceptional dedication to patient care and unwavering support for her colleagues. Known for treating every patient as if they were a member of her own family, Lori’s compassionate approach is a hallmark of her work.

In addition to providing top-notch care, Lori serves as a valuable resource for both new and experienced EMS personnel, as well as local first responders and hospital staff. Her knowledge and willingness to share her expertise make her an integral part of the team. Lori is always there to lend a hand, whether someone is facing personal or professional challenges, and she consistently brings a positive, caring attitude to every shift.

Lori’s exemplary behavior and willingness to go above and beyond for her patients and colleagues have earned her the respect and admiration of all who work with her. Medstar Ambulance is proud to nominate Lori Peterson as a 2024 Star of Life, recognizing her outstanding contributions to EMS and her community.

Kylend Hetherington of Medstar Ambulance was nominated by his peers as a Star of Life for his persistent positivity, dedication to patient care, and unwavering willingness to assist with anything asked of him. Known for his sharp uniform and kind-hearted approach, Kylend consistently prioritizes the needs of his patients, ensuring they receive the best care possible.

Kylend’s commitment to growth is evident in his eagerness to learn new skills, procedures, and clinical information, always striving to enhance the care he provides. He conducts himself with the utmost professionalism, whether interacting with team members, other EMS agencies, hospitals, or, most importantly, the patients he serves.

Kylend’s positive attitude and dedication to both his patients and colleagues make him a standout EMT, and Medstar Ambulance is proud to have him on the team.

Colin Driscoll is a Paramedic and field training officer in our Central Operations. Colleagues wrote in his Stars of Life nomination that, “Colin is always going above and beyond for his patients. He does it with every single patient, making sure that all of their clinical care is the best, their social and personal needs are met, and that they are getting the best help they can. He takes extra time to answer questions during and after the call about how things work with his partners. Whether it’s a question about a clinical condition or about protocols, his knowledge is always spot on and he’s always super helpful. He spends extra time with patients and their families at the hospital, helping with the transition of care and making sure they know what’s happening.”

Central Operations Manager Alex Barczak added, “I’m not surprised to see Colin being recognized by his peers. He is a skilled Paramedic and does all that he can to make sure his patients receive the best care. He puts the same effort into training the EMTs that are assigned to him, setting a great example for them and demonstrating the core values of our organization.”

When asked about being selected by his peers as a Star of Life, Colin said, “I appreciate my coworkers who voted for me to be here. EMS is a challenging career that requires dedicated providers. I’m just happy to have helped patients, trained new providers, and made a difference where I could.”

Outside of work, Colin enjoys spending time with family and cross-country running.

Haley Chapko is a Paramedic and field training officer in MedStar’s North Operations.

Haley is a very hardworking member of the Medstar team. She puts in extra hours to help out with staffing levels, and always engages with her patients and their family members. Haley invests time in training colleagues by reviewing skills, running through scenarios, and just providing general advice. A colleague noted, “Haley is an all-around amazing provider and the first call I would make if my family member needed to be transported.”

North Operations Manager Jeremy Compau said, “I’m proud to work with Haley, and glad that she is part of our team. She is very deserving of recognition. She has endless energy for her patients and her partners. She is ready, willing, and able to help out with special projects in our service area. Her compassion, commitment, and dedication are inspiring.”

On being selected, Haley said, “I feel extremely honored. I am emotional about being nominated as a Star of Life, let alone being elected by my peers. I have been in the EMS field for 10 years, starting at my hometown ambulance service, then to another Genesee County agency, and came to Medstar six years ago. Here, I have grown to become a Paramedic, then a Field Training Officer, and am now the FTO coordinator. We have a great leadership and support staff with phenomenal clinicians, I feel privileged to be a part of the team.”

Away from work, Haley enjoys reading, music, arcades, fishing, and spending time with family, friends, and her two dogs.