Tara began her EMS career in 2001 when she joined EMSA as an EMT-Basic and an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. In 2002, Tara found her home at Muskogee County EMS, working both as an EMT and an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. She went on to become an EMT-Intermediate and an Emergency Medical Dispatcher Quality Improvement Officer. Throughout the years, Tara has dedicated herself to the Communications Department, working her way up as a Communications Training Officer, QA/QI Supervisor, and now the Communications Center Supervisor. She has focused on improving the training program and the overall culture of the dispatch center.

Tara has been married to Dave Henry for 17 years and together they have three children. Although their oldest son, Braden, has recently moved out of the house, Tara keeps busy with her two adopted children, Maddex, who is involved with the Special Olympics, and Jensyn, who attends cheerleading competitions. Tara is very blessed with her life and her family that she cherishes.

Tara loves the people that she works with and takes great pride in seeing their success. She constantly demonstrates knowledge of dispatching and company procedures, and she shares her knowledge and experiences with the employees to ensure their success as well. Tara is now taking on the challenge of re-accreditation for the Muskogee County EMS Dispatch Center of Excellence. Muskogee County EMS is honored to present Tara Henry as American Ambulance Association Star of Life.

Tara Henry is being nominated due to her phenomenal work ethic throughout her career with Muskogee County EMS. It is time for her to be recognized for all of her hard work behind-the-scenes of the Communication Center, and for her efforts related to re-accreditation for Muskogee County EMS Dispatch Center of Excellence.

Tara Henry is being honored as a Star of Life due to her phenomenal work ethic throughout her career with Muskogee County EMS. She has been under-recognized for all her hard work behind the scenes of the Communication Center and for her efforts to meet the new challenge of re-accreditation for Muskogee County EMS Dispatch Center of Excellence.

Kristen began her career at Muskogee County EMS in 2015 as an EMT. In 2016, Kristen earned her certification as an Advanced EMT and in 2017 she became a Field Training Officer.

In 2017 while on a medical call, a shooting that was not related to her initial call occurred on scene. Kristen immediately triaged the scene to allow for the continued care and safety of her initial patient and partner while also locating the shooting victim and rendering care until another unit could arrive. This call is just one example of why Kristen is known for remaining calm under pressure and showing true leadership. Kristen did not hesitate to go to the aid of the victim even though it was an unsecured scene and her own personal safety was compromised.

Kristen has always had a passion for helping others. She is selfless, hardworking and dedicated. She is always willing to work, whether she is putting in extra shifts, assisting with Public Relations events, or teaching a new employee. She is also known for her positive attitude and smile, no matter how busy her shift has been. In 2017 Kristen was voted by her peers as the the Advanced EMT of the Year.

Kristen is admired by all who know her, most especially by her husband, Matthew. and her children Emma, Tuxie, Jacy, Alex, Caden and Addison. When off-duty, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family at sporting events and boating on the lake. Kristen also enjoys painting and playing with her dog, Lucy.

Because of Kristen’s outstanding professionalism and her exemplary performance, Muskogee County EMS is honored to endorse Kristen Bias for the Oklahoma Ambulance Association Star of Life Award 2018.

Kristen Bias is the Oklahoma Ambulance Association’s 2018 national Star of Life.

Brandt Hiler has always had a passion for helping others. In fact, as a teenager, he began volunteering for a local fire department. Brandt began his career with Muskogee County EMS in 2004 as an NREMT-Basic, and in 2007 he received his certification as an NREMT-Paramedic. Brandt has served the citizens of Muskogee County for 13 years.

Brandt is known for his compassion, hard work, and dedication. He remains calm under pressure, and he shows true leadership by quietly going above and beyond and never asking for acknowledgment or recognition.

In 2015, Brandt became a Field Training Officer. He says he enjoys helping new employees and co-workers, whether they are beginning their EMS career or transitioning to a new licensure level. It’s the perfect assignment for him, as he is well-known and respected for taking the time to explain procedures and educate others.

Brandt’s service and professionalism have been recognized several times with honors and awards. In 2016, Brandt was honored for his service to a pediatric car accident victim. The physicians at the pediatric rehabilitation facility said, “Had it not been for the care that the patient received on the scene of the accident, the patient would not be alive today.” Last year Brandt also received awards for saving the lives of two patients, and he was voted Paramedic of the Year by his peers.

Brandt is admired by all who know him, most especially by his wife, Angela, and his children, Kaben and Kendall. When off-duty, Brandt enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, fishing, hunting, and flying.

Because of Brandt’s outstanding professionalism and his exemplary performance, Muskogee County EMS is honored to endorse Brandt Hiler for the American Ambulance Association Star of Life Award 2018.

James Garvin began his career in EMS relatively late in life. Prior to becoming an EMT, James worked for 21 years as a machine operator for a nationally known paper production company. During his employment with the paper company, James became a member of the fire brigade and Emergency Response Team. When James retired in 2006, he joined Muskogee County EMS. Since that time, James has furthered his education and is now a Paramedic. In addition to his duties as a field provider, James is also a supervisor, Field Training Officer, a certified CLEET officer, and a tactical medic with the Muskogee Police Department.

James has embraced his new career with passion and professionalism. Soon after James started as an EMT, he saw a need to enhance our service’s mapping programs. On his own time and without expectation, James wrote and distributed a 30-page mapping companion that provides simple, easy-to-follow directions to the most obscure streets, avenues, and roads in our county. Even with our current mapping programs, medics still rely on the directions in James’s book when they receive a call for an address on an unknown street.

Over the last 10 years with Muskogee County EMS, James has received numerous awards and accolades. Some of James’s many recognitions include EMT-Basic of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Paramedic of the Year, Employee of the Month, and—most importantly to him— multiple code saves.

When asked what he likes most about his job, James is quick to say that it is the satisfaction of knowing he’s helped save someone’s life. “When I get there and they are in cardiac arrest, not breathing, no pulse, and then later they are being discharged from the hospital and sometimes even coming to see you and say ‘Thank you,’ well, it’s just something that can’t be explained. It’s the best thing in the world,” James explained.

Each day James exemplifies the standard for Muskogee County EMS in his professionalism, compassion, and exemplary performance. Muskogee County EMS is honored to present James Garvin as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life.

Dave Whitson is originally from Dardenell, Arkansas, and graduated as a Paramedic from the University of Arkansas, Ft. Smith in 1994.

Dave worked in Arkansas as a Paramedic before moving to Oklahoma and finding his home at Muskogee County EMS 20 years ago. In addition to his duties as a Paramedic, Dave is a Critical Care Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Advanced EMT Instructor, Emergency Service Fire Instructor, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and the Strike Team Leader for MCEMS Strike Team B. Dave recently retired as the Fire Chief of the Warner Volunteer Fire Department after receiving many EMS and Fire Service commendations, including an Oklahoma State citation for the wild fires of 2012. He also honorably served his country during a tour of duty with the US Navy Reserve as a Navy Corpsman.

Being involved in a profession that helps individuals in their greatest hour of need is a perfect fit for Dave. In December 2014, Dave was awarded one of Muskogee County EMS’s highest honors, the MCEMS Valor Award, due to his bravery in resolving a potentially deadly situation. A friend, who was also a former medic, experienced an acute psychiatric event, became suicidal, and was barricaded in his home with multiple firearms. The law enforcement SWAT team had responded and set up a communication system but were not making progress.

Knowing the history of this gentleman and knowing him as a former medic and peer, Dave offered to go into the home and talk to him. Without hesitating, Dave put on a bulletproof vest, went in, and was able to successfully convince the former medic to surrender his weapons and be transported to the hospital. Due to Dave’s bravery, empathy, and concern, a hurting individual was able to receive the help he so desperately needed.

Because of Dave’s outstanding professionalism and his exemplary performance, Muskogee County EMS is proud to nominate David Whitson for the American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life Award.