Amy Major is an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) with New London Hospital Ambulance Service (NLHAS) who has dedicated many years to serving her community. Respected by her colleagues for her professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to patient care, Amy brings both clinical skill and genuine humanity to every call.

Those qualities were especially evident during a recent response to a pedestrian-struck incident in a remote area of the NLHAS service district. Amy and her partner, Liam, encountered a critically injured patient who had been pinned between two vehicles. The patient had sustained devastating lower-extremity and pelvic injuries, significant blood loss, and severe pain.

Faced with an extremely challenging and time-sensitive situation, Amy remained calm and focused. She played an important role in controlling the patient’s injuries and hemorrhage, managing their pain, and preparing them for rapid transport to a waiting medical helicopter. Her composure and clinical judgment helped ensure the patient received the critical care needed during the transition to a higher level of treatment.

Just as important as Amy’s clinical care was the compassion she provided. In the midst of an extraordinarily frightening experience, she remained present for her patient, offering reassurance and comfort while she and her partner worked to address life-threatening injuries. Her ability to combine skilled medical care with empathy exemplifies the kind of provider Amy is.

Amy’s years of dedicated service have made her an important and valued member of the NLHAS team. Her actions during this challenging response reflect the professionalism, compassion, and commitment she brings to her patients and community every day.

New London Hospital Ambulance Service is proud to recognize Amy Major as a Star of Life.

Liam Benshemer is a highly respected Paramedic with New London Hospital Ambulance Service (NLHAS), where he serves as a frontline clinician, Field Training Officer (FTO), and member of the Quality Committee. Through each of these roles, Liam demonstrates a strong commitment to exceptional patient care, professional development, and the continued advancement of his colleagues and organization.

That commitment was especially evident when Liam and his partner, Amy, responded to a pedestrian-struck incident in an extremely remote area of NLHAS’s already rural service district. The patient had been pinned between a parked vehicle and a moving vehicle, sustaining extensive lower-extremity and pelvic injuries, significant hemorrhage, and severe pain.

Faced with a critically injured patient, limited resources, and the challenges of a remote location, Liam and Amy remained composed and focused. Working together, they managed the patient’s traumatic injuries and life-threatening bleeding, provided appropriate pain management, and coordinated rapid transport to a waiting helicopter for definitive care.

Incidents of this complexity demand strong clinical judgment, effective teamwork, and the ability to remain calm while making critical decisions under pressure. Liam demonstrated each of these qualities throughout the response. Although no single intervention can be credited with determining the patient’s ultimate outcome, the timely and skilled prehospital care provided by Liam and Amy gave the patient an important opportunity for survival and definitive treatment.

Liam brings that same dedication to his work beyond individual patient encounters. As an FTO, he helps develop and support fellow EMS professionals, while his service on the Quality Committee contributes to the continued improvement of patient care at NLHAS. His willingness to take on these responsibilities reflects his investment not only in his own clinical practice, but also in the success of his colleagues and the organization as a whole.

Through his clinical expertise, composure, teamwork, mentorship, and commitment to his patients, Liam exemplifies the professionalism and dedication at the heart of emergency medical services. New London Hospital Ambulance Service is proud to recognize Liam as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life.