Mark Santo has been serving as an EMT in New York City since 1988 and joined the Staten Island University Hospital team in 1990. In addition, Mark has also been involved with his community volunteer ambulance corps for more than 31 years, and is a past president. Mark is regarded as an excellent provider and a skilled technician. He can be counted upon to work in a pinch and help out the team, and is constantly contributing innovative and new ideas with the goal of making both the department and the larger EMS industry better. Mark’s professionalism and dedication are evident, as he is always looking to help new EMTs learn this difficult and stressful profession without criticism. Mark fosters a caring environment for both his patients and coworkers.

When not on duty, Mark is still saving lives but from a different path. He is an ordained minister who performs outreach services to the residents of New York. Helping those in need spiritually and enriching the lives of everyone he meets makes Mark the ideal nominee for a Star of Life.

Northwell Health System Center for EMS Staten Island University Hospital congratulates Mark, and we are grateful to have him as a part of our team. This Brooklyn native exemplifies the character and ideals that make him the obvious choice for Staten Island University Hospital’s 2019 Star of Life. We are so very proud of Mark, as is his wife, Barbara. 

Ariella Dalfen has been a part of the Northwell Health System Center for EMS (CEMS) team since 2012. Ariella started in EMS in 2003 as an EMT while at Binghamton University, where she provided care to fellow students, faculty, visitors, and staff. When prospects of employment as a lifeguard were scarce in upstate New York, Ariella switched to from life guard to life saver!

During her tenure in EMS, Ariella has worked as an EMT, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and currently as a New York State Paramedic. A welcome addition to our team at CEMS, Ariella has helped with the development of our Explorers program, which helps high school students interested in medicine learn about EMS. Ariella also plays a role in our Performance Improvement initiatives. In 2017, while teaching EMT and Paramedic Skills as a Certified Lab Instructor at the Center for Learning and Innovation, Ariella discovered her passion for teaching.

Ariella leveraged this new love by joining our training division where she was involved with implementing a new Field Training Officer program for the department. Ariella provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and expectations to all our new employees, setting them up for success and preparing them for the high-performance organization that is CEMS. When not providing training or patient care, Ariella is pursuing her master’s degree in Health Professions Pedagogy and Leadership. While away from work or school, Ariella and her husband Eric enjoy dinning out, watching Game of Thrones, ice hockey, and baseball.

There is not a more deserving provider than Ariella, and CEMS is proud to honor her service and commitment as our 2019 Star of Life!

Aries Almendral began his career in Emergency Medical Services in 1993 when he became certified as a New York State EMT. Five years later, Aries completed his advanced level training and served as a Paramedic for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Aries gained valuable experience while working in the borough of the Bronx, and in 2000 he joined the staff at Lenox Hill Hospital. Aries quickly became a well-liked, respected, and highly valued member of the Lenox Hill team.

Aries always has a contagious smile and puts everyone else around him at ease. Aries understands the importance of working as a team and always advocates for his patients to ensure the best possible outcomes. During his tenure with Lenox Hill, Aries has provided exceptional patient care in the performance of his duties as a Paramedic and he has become a leader to his peers. Aries’s professionalism and consistent excellence exemplifies what a Paramedic at Lenox Hill should be: kind, skilled, and dedicated.

When Aries isn’t positively impacting the lives of his patients and those he works with, he is a proud single parent to four amazing children: Alyssandra (16), Adrian (14), Aiden (13) and Adam (10).

For all these reasons and more, it was clear that Aries should be our nominee this year. Lenox Hill is grateful to have Aries as part of our team and is proud to recognize him as our 2019 Star of Life!

Michele Connolly became an EMT in 2009, and her first assignment was working for a local transport company on Staten Island, New York.

In 2011, she decided she’d like to experience the 911 aspect of Emergency Medical Services, so she joined Northwell Health Lenox Hill hospital to learn more about that area of the service.

Michele is being nominated as a Star of Life for her dedication and her compassionate nature—she demonstrates these qualities every day, not only with her patients, but in all her interactions with her peers as well.

In addition to her career, Michele keeps busy as a single mother to two daughters: Noelle, 18, who is attending college, and Madison, 15, who is a sophomore in high school. Family is important to Michele, and she tries to spend as much time as possible with her loved ones.

Bob has been working in the field of Emergency Medical Services for 32 years. He began his career as an EMT in 1986 and became a Paramedic in 1989. He plans to enjoy his well-earned retirement at the end of 2018.

During his career, Bob has received numerous commendations, and he has been named Paramedic of the Year six times. He has also been recognized with three citations from New York City borough presidents for his dedicated service to the community.

Bob has been nominated as a Star of Life for his 32 stellar years of service in EMS. He has helped so many people over the years, and he is known for mentoring new EMS professionals, generously sharing his experience and knowledge as well as his time.

Bob was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, the community that he serves. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, an accomplished bowler, a member of the New York and New Jersey Bowling Halls of Fame, and an avid dart player and a member of the USA Ryder Cup of Darts team.

Brian began his EMS career as a volunteer EMT in 1998 in Patchogue, New York. After a career in retail management, he decided he needed to do something more fulfilling and made a career change to EMS.

In 2011 Brian joined Northwell Health, and he obtained his Paramedic certification in 2013. He enjoys the daily challenges of paramedicine and the opportunities to help those in need.

Brian is always looking for new challenges to take on, and he took his commitment to serve a big step further when he deployed to Florida with the department FEMA response team to assist in Hurricane Irma relief efforts in 2017. 

Back home, Brian recently became a part of the Northwell Health Center for EMS Community Paramedic program, and he is currently studying for his CCEMT-P certification.

Brian is nominated as a Star of Life in recognition of his dedication to his profession and the empathy he shows both to his patients and to his coworkers.

He is the proud father of three children, eight-year-old twins Abigail and Jack, and four-year-old Madison.

Robert Mazzo began his career as an EMT at the age of 18, in the state of Florida. Throughout his career in Florida, Robert received numerous accolades, specifically for his work during Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. In March of 2013, Robert took his knowledge and dedication to the New York City 911 system, where he began working for Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health. In 2016 Robert received the Staten Island Borough Presidents Award for EMT of the Year.

Robert was nominated as a Star of Life by his peers. Robert was selected because of the leadership he brings to difficult situations, and for his commitment to showing kindness and respect to everyone he encounters.

Danielle Cohen began her EMS career at the age of 18 as a volunteer for Port Jefferson Ambulance. In 2001, Danielle began working at St. Clare’s Hospital in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan and was among the first EMS crews to respond to the tragedy on September 11, 2001. In 2002, Danielle began her career at Northwell Health where she has worked both in the field, and in Communications. In her private time, Danielle volunteers to help victims of pediatric cancer, a cause very close to her heart.

Danielle was selected as a Star of Life nominee by her peers for consistently going above the call of duty. Danielle is always available to help her co-workers, both in and out of work. Danielle also volunteers on committees such as Adopt a Family and Bring Your Child to Work Day.

Benjamin “Ben” Cohen left a career as a heating and air conditioning mechanic to pursue his dream of serving in the medical field. Ben began his medical career as a phlebotomist working in a busy emergency room. While observing the ambulances constantly moving in and out of the ER, Ben decided that was where he wanted to be. Ben obtained his EMT certification in 2013 and began working at Northwell Health CEMS shortly thereafter.

Despite Ben being in the early years of his EMS career, he has developed a reputation for being a role model to others and someone who always has a smile on his face. Ben is a leader who always demonstrates the highest level of compassion for his patients. Ben seeks ways to help his department, accepts assignments without hesitation, and consistently maintains a friendly demeanor. Ben was overwhelmingly chosen by his peers as a Star of Life nominee.

William “Bill” Bailey began his career in EMS in June of 1991 when he first received his EMT certification. It was during those initial clinical rotations that Bill knew he wanted to become a paramedic and do more to help those in need. Bill began working at Lenox Hill Hospital Northwell Health in Manhattan in 2000, and was one of the many first responders who answered the call on September 11, 2001. Bill is proud of his profession and believes that answering the call to help those in need is a truly noble endeavor. Bill is also a six year veteran of the United States Coast Guard.

Bill was selected as a Star of Life nominee by his peers for his patience and kindness towards both his patients and co-workers. Thinking not only about his own career progression, Bill has served as an invaluable mentor to countless new medics.

Benjamin “Ben” Cohen left a career as a heating and air conditioning mechanic to pursue his dream of serving in the medical field.

He began his medical career as a phlebotomist working in a busy emergency room. While observing the ambulances constantly moving in and out of the ER, he decided that was where he wanted to be. He obtained his EMT card in 2013 and began working at Northwell Health CEMS shortly thereafter.

While Ben is relatively new to EMS, he has developed a reputation as a role model to others, as someone who always has a smile on his face, and a leader who always demonstrates the highest level of compassion for his patients. Ben seeks ways to help out his department, accepts assignments without complaint, and consistently maintains a friendly demeanor. Ben was overwhelmingly chosen by his peers as a Star of Life.

When he is not working, Ben loves spending time with his two-year-old son, Dylan.

Benedict “Benny” Gatto began his EMS career as a volunteer in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn 30 years ago as a volunteer dispatcher. He became a certified EMT at 19 years old and soon chose EMS as his career path. Over the course of his working life, Benny has received numerous awards, including commendations for his work during the Staten Island Ferry incident of 1995. He is a three-time recipient of the Staten Island Borough President distinguished EMS service award.

Benny has been married for 23 years to his wife, Suzanne, and they are the proud parents of two teenage daughters, Maria, 16, and Nicole, 12. Benny’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, cooking, and amateur radio operations.

Benny was chosen by his peers as a Star of Life for outstanding professionalism as an EMT. He is viewed as a role model due to his commitment to lending a helping hand to fellow staff, as well as his willingness to teach his colleagues. Additionally, he consistently demonstrates the very highest level of compassion for his patients.

Northwell Health CEMS is proud to nominate Benedict Gatto as an American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life.

Ian’s passion for EMS began more than 20 years ago when he witnessed paramedics in action treating a shooting victim. At that moment he realized that EMS was his calling.

He decided to become an EMT and subsequently, a paramedic. Ian has a true passion for EMS, and takes great pride in knowing that he can make a difference in the lives of others.

His peers at Northwell Health CEMS chose Ian as a Star of Life because he is both a role model for others and someone who demonstrates the utmost compassion for his patients and coworkers. To deepen his knowledge and skills even further, Ian plans to become an EMS instructor.

Ian and his wife, Claudia, are the proud parents to four-year-old Maria. He enjoys spending time with family and fishing.

Northwell is proud to recognize Ian Joseph as a 2016 American Ambulance Association Star of Life.