Tag: Northwell Health System Center for EMS

Konrad Trzepizur embarked on his EMS career in 2011. He transitioned into his role as an EMT in New York City when he joined Northwell Health in 2013, where he continued to progress.

Over the past seven years, he has been a model leader in his role as an EMT Supervisor at Lenox Hill Hospital. Konrad’s dedication to service and excellence set the tone for the department. His lead-by-example approach makes him highly respected among his fellow EMS leaders and staff. His passion for helping others is evident in his work ethic.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Konrad was instrumental in ensuring operations continued running and that staff had everything needed to respond safely during the crisis.

In his free time, Konrad enjoys traveling the world. One of his most memorable trips to date was to Australia and New Zealand, where he immersed himself in the culture and cuisine. When not at work, he also enjoys gardening and day trading.

Konrad was selected this year because of his dedication and commitment to excellence. He continues to raise the bar and represents the best of the department and the EMS community.
Northwell Health is proud to honor Konrad as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life!

Anita Torres has served as an EMS provider in New York City for 22 years. Her inspiration for becoming an EMT came as a child when she was engrossed watching the popular TV series Emergency!

Anita has always loved helping people. She is known for going above and beyond the call of duty for both her patients and coworkers. She volunteers to organize holiday and birthday celebrations, enlivening the atmosphere at CEMS.

During a behavioral health emergency call, Anita’s keen situational awareness ultimately led to a mother being reunited with her baby, who had been abducted and transported across several states.

Anita, a mother of 3, lives in Staten Island with her daughter, Rebecca, and grand dogs, Madison and Steve.

Northwell Health is proud to honor Anita as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life!

Kevin Pantaleon started his career in EMS in 2016. He joined the team at Northwell Health Center for Emergency Medical Services in 2019 after obtaining his Paramedic certification. His career with Northwell began during the COVID-19 pandemic where he worked countless hours providing exceptional care in the various communities greatly impacted by the pandemic. Kevin is also very involved in field training. He has been a preceptor and mentor to many Paramedic students. He takes pride in sculpting the minds of up-and-coming providers.

Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology and is working towards his Masters in Emergency Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His goal is to work in Homeland Security and bring his experience and expertise from EMS into that role.

Kevin was adopted from Ecuador and came to the US when he was two years old. While not providing care as a clinician, he enjoys fishing and traveling. One of his most memorable trips included a two-week trip through New York State visiting different national parks. Kevin is a champion for Diversity and Inclusion and an advocate for LGBTQ rights.

Kevin’s peers and students speak very highly of him and CEMS is very proud of his exemplary patient care and work ethic. Northwell Health is proud to honor Kevin as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life!

Kenneth Ortiz Cortez was born in Puerto Rico and came to Brooklyn, New York when he was five years old. His family instilled in him the importance of serving others. The belief in the inherent value of all people, and that everyone is important and should be treated with courtesy and respect runs deep in him.

Kenneth admits that it took a little while for him to figure out that becoming an EMT was what he was destined to do. He knows that some feel that we all choose our own path, but he feels that EMS chose him. He found a home in EMS with like-minded people who all share a common goal of serving and helping others in need. He has worked at various EMS organizations in all of the boroughs of New York City, and we are so fortunate that he landed here at Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital.

Kenny is the embodiment of EMS. He goes above and beyond both while on the ambulance caring for patients and when off duty. He brings the department together whether it is setting up practices and coaching the department softball team or participating and cheering on his teammates in the various Northwell Health events. He is a well-respected member of the department whose contributions go well beyond being a great partner offering the best in pre-hospital care.

Northwell Health is proud to honor Kenneth as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life.

David Ebert launched his career in EMS when he became an EMT in 2010. His early years consisted of him working in very busy areas in New York City and the Bronx. Soon after obtaining his Paramedic certification, he joined our team at Northwell Health Center for Emergency Medical Services in 2014. He started out as a 911 Paramedic working in New York City, then made his way into our interfacility transport division in 2017. He soon realized that he had a passion for teaching, so prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he became an integral part of our training department at CEMS.

While in the training department, David tirelessly provided EMS education, hands-on skills training, and assessments. He evaluated countless new employees in the department both in the classroom setting and on the road. He is a huge advocate for change and always brings forward ideas for new techniques and processes to aid in education and ultimately improve patient care. David has also served on several committees within the department including the Crisis Incident Stress Management team, the Workplace Culture Committee, and the Research Committee. He also contributed to a research initiative that was published in the Resuscitation journal.

One of David Ebert’s proudest moments and latest accomplishments was when he successfully completed his Critical Care Paramedic course and was promoted to SkyHealth as a Flight Paramedic. He is hoping to get involved in training and education in this division as well. David also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Albany.

While not flying with SkyHealth or helping mold the new generation of EMS professionals, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kristen, and son, Cameron. He also enjoys playing golf.

David is a crucial part of our team. His value is recognized by his peers and leaders, and he is extremely deserving of this award for all of his hard work, positivity, and dedication to this profession and to CEMS. Northwell Health is proud to honor David as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life!

Samantha Disilvestro started her EMS career in 2013 as an EMT at a private ambulance service. Working alongside Paramedics, she discovered that the emergency “911” side of the field was only part of the picture. Her passion for interfacility mobile healthcare had begun. Samantha’s desire to learn to become a more skilled clinician drove her to enroll in nursing school, which she soon decided was not her path. In 2017, she enrolled in a Paramedic training program, and upon completion in 2018, applied for and obtained a position as a Paramedic at Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital.

Samantha recognized immediately that she was an integral part of her patient’s medical team and not just a transportation provider. She quickly earned the respect of her EMS colleagues as well as the Hospital teams. 

Her understanding of the importance of our role in the care of the patient extends beyond the calls she responds to. She also assists in the training of new and seasoned members of the department on all the equipment and policies. Samantha can always be counted on to step up for special projects and assignments and most recently became part of the Northwell EMS Honor Guard.

Northwell Health is proud to honor Samantha as an American Ambulance Association 2023 Star of Life.