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.

REACT EMS is proud to recognize Galen Hankal as a Star of Life 2017. Galen is a Field Supervisor and Paramedic for REACT. With 11 years of experience, Galen is a true leader to all personnel and a reliable leader on the most challenging calls.

In addition to his daily duties, Galen is the primary leader to manage and help EMTs and Paramedics looking to join our REACT Team. Galen shepherds the applicants from the first visit through our testing and interviews to selection and orientation, preparing them to be strong assets to our mission.

Galen and his wife, Lezlie, are the parents of Collin (9) and Liam (6). They are an avid baseball family and go fishing with the boys during the off season.

Galen has always shown compassion for his patients and the patients of his crews. Recently, Collin was injured in an ATV accident while visiting at his grandparents’ home. Suddenly, Galen and Lezlie were the family of an EMS patient. Collin was rushed to a rural facility and soon transported by air EMS to the Childrens’ Hospital for his internal injuries. Collin recovered completely, but it was a challenging experience for the whole family. Galen values the role of out-of-hospital providers even more, and his compassion for the families of our patients is even stronger.

Galen is an excellent example of the great EMTs and Paramedics working at REACT. Again, we are proud that Galen Hankal is our Star of Life for 2017.

REACT EMS is proud to recognize Matthew Bradshaw as a Star of Life 2017. Matt is a Field Training Officer and Critical Care Paramedic who has spent seven years with REACT.

Matt is most appreciated for his tireless efforts to work with new Paramedics, developing them into skilled practitioners. To a person, Matt’s mentored Paramedics compliment his ability to help them identify areas to study as well as his ability to help them understand material to a level that enhances their patient care skills. Matt takes great pride in each of his charges, but never seems to overwhelm them with his expectations. A sign of a true leader is one that makes others around him better. Matt Bradshaw is a perfect example of that characteristic.

Matt was Active Duty military for six years, and spent four years in the Reserves. He served in the Air Force, Army, and Navy. He started his EMS career as his military career ended. He has worked for a variety of EMS organizations, and has been benefiting REACT since 2008.

Matt and his wife, Shannon, are the proud parents of five children, ages six weeks to 20 years. Needless to say, they stay busy. Hunter is a junior at Baylor in the School of Nursing. Noah (7) and Jakob (5) are both playing baseball and have plenty of practices and games to attend. Carson likes to go along to baseball games and to the farm to ride the four-wheelers and feed the chickens.

The REACT family and all of our patients have benefited from Matt being an important part of our team. We are proud to recognize him as our Star for 2017.

Derek Weinkauf knows no strangers – or doesn’t for long. During his four-plus years at EMSA, Derek has earned a reputation as always having a smile on his face, the team’s mission on his mind, and his patients’ best interests at heart. He has received numerous kudos during his career for providing excellent care on critical calls and demonstrating incredible compassion when interacting with suicidal subjects and patients’ family members. Derek shows consideration and respect to everyone he meets.

Derek is an accomplished Field Training Officer. His approach to teaching new recruits is simple yet effective: don’t expect perfection, but rather strive for excellence.

Derek was inspired to become a public servant by his grandfather, who was a long-time member of the Tulsa Fire Department.

When terrorists attacked our country on September 11, 2001, Paramedic Chris Page – then a high school senior – petitioned his principal for an early diploma. Two days later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Chris served two years before suffering a devastating injury in Iraq that ended his military career. He spent several months recovering, and a few years doing odd jobs, before finding his way into EMS about four years ago.

Last winter, Chris responded to a call for an extremely premature baby who was born at home, with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. The baby was unresponsive and had a slow, weak heartbeat. Chris removed the cord, provided chest compressions and successfully intubated the 1-pound patient. By the time they arrived at the hospital, the baby had a strong heartbeat. She is continuing her recovery today.

Derek began his career in EMS in 2010 as an EMT Basic with the Watonga, Oklahoma Fire Department. Shortly thereafter, Derek was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait in the 45th Infantry Division for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2011–2012 Derek was redeployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Upon returning in 2012, Derek enrolled in Paramedic school at Redlands Community College, completing his degree in 2014. Derek started working at Life EMS in August of 2015, and has since been promoted to the position of Operations and QA Supervisor.

Derek was instrumental in implementing Life EMS’ new mapping system software and played a key role in rebuilding the Volunteer rural Service in Watonga to prevent it from closing.

Derek was chosen as a Star by his fellow medics. Derek’s passion and pride in his work at Life EMS and Watonga EMS is truly unprecedented.

Life EMS is proud to recognize Derek Vermillion as a 2017 Star of Life.

Andrea Earley of Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service has a bright spirit and a heart dedicated to serving her community. Andrea is a great Paramedic, but her real talent shines through in the amazing events she develops as the Public Event Coordinator.

Andrea organizes activities such as the Ardmore Touch-a-Truck, Kids Day in the Park, and city-wide bicycle safety programs. Andrea sets up and promotes numerous “crash bashes” to educate high school students in the area about the dangers of drunk driving.

Andrea designs and sells company t-shirts for breast cancer awareness, then donates the proceeds to support those fighting cancer. This year, Andrea voluntarily coordinated the emergency care and medical support for the 2017 Tim Tebow “Night to Shine Event,” a special needs prom night celebration.

Andrea is always willing to jump in and help. Andrea always pushes for positive promotion of EMS and she is truly a shining star in our community. For these reasons, Andrea was selected as the Oklahoma Ambulance Association 2017 Star of Life.

Matthew “Matt” Williams is involved in multiple aspects of LifeNet’s EMS service in Stillwater, Oklahoma; including new employee development, our quality assurance processes, education, and multiple leadership roles. Matt completed his paramedic education at Oklahoma State University, and is pursuing a B.S. in Emergency Medical Services Administration at Columbia Southern University. When Matt is not at work, which is a rarity, Matt spends time with his wife, Felisha, and their seven children. Matt and his family enjoy fishing, traveling, and attending various sporting events.

Matt is LifeNet’s 2017 Star of Life representing our Stillwater, Oklahoma division. Matt’s coworkers nominated him for his dedication to our patients, the community, and for his commitment to the LifeNet team.

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.

Robbie Seastrunk is a full-time Paramedic and Field Training Officer at LifeNet Inc. in Texarkana, Texas. After graduating from high school, Robbie joined the local volunteer Fire Department. While with the Fire Department, Robbie attended the Arkansas Fire Academy EMT course. Upon completion, Robbie became an Industrial EMT for Weyerhaeuser in Mt Pine, Arkansas where he worked for eight years before choosing to become a full-time EMT in Hot Springs. Robbie continued his education and obtained his Paramedic certification in 2000. Since that time, Robbie has worked as a Paramedic, Operations Manager, and Field Training Officer in Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas.

Robbie possesses the ability to positively interact with anyone. Robbie consistently demonstrates a commitment to providing both great service to patients and support to his fellow team members. Robbie prides himself in making a difference in every patient’s life, regardless of the situation presented, putting them instantly at ease with his calm, easy-going demeanor. Robbie also enjoys mentoring new team members and Paramedic students, doing so in such a way that makes them feel welcome and completely at ease in the stressful environment of EMS.

In his free time, Robbie enjoys spending time with Christy, their children, & grandson. Robbie loves hunting, fishing, and all outdoor recreational activities.

Brandon Herron is a Paramedic and Field Training Officer with LifeNet in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Brandon was nominated by his peers as a Star of Life because they recognize his positive impact on all those with whom he makes contact.

Peers say that, “Brandon always has a friendly attitude towards co-workers, patients, and facility staff. Brandon is always willing to help others. Patients are very appreciative of the care he provides.”

As committed as Brandon is to his profession, he is also a family man and dedicates as much time as possible to friends and family. Brandon especially enjoys playing outdoors with his son, Hunter, and their Boston Terrier. Brandon’s wife, Crystal, and son are very proud of his successes.

Watonga EMS is proud to recognize Josh Boden as a Star of Life.

Josh, a Watonga native, is a very driven person, and is passionate about his role as Director of EMS.

Following graduation from Watonga High School, Josh began his life of service by devoting five years to the Army, during which he attained the rank of Section Sergeant. Josh’s service included a deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

When Watonga EMS was on the verge of closing its doors in early 2016, Josh played a significant role in reorganizing the service and mapping out a sustainable plan for its future. This was accomplished in a period of one month. Licenses were obtained, state inspections were successfully accomplished, and a third party billing company was contracted to address all of the issues on the billing side of the operation.

Shyla Teply, Watonga City Clerk, noted that, “Josh Boden has gone above and beyond what was expected of him as a Paramedic, father, volunteer Fireman, and citizen of our community. Josh worked to ensure that a well-trained EMS staff was operational in our city within a very short period of time. I strongly believe that without Josh and his staff’s quick response to the need, our community could have experienced a tremendous loss. They are very professional in every way.”

Professional, reliable, and community-focused are the qualities that best exemplify EMSA Paramedic Chase Coates. Chase was nominated multiple times this year, and the same descriptors—leader, teacher and role model—came up repeatedly in the nominations. He is well-liked and deeply respected by his peers and supervisors.

Chase joined EMSA in July 2010 while he was completing his zoology degree at the University of Oklahoma. He had intended to become a physician, but fell in love with pre-hospital medicine and the EMS industry. In January 2013, Chase was promoted from EMT-Intermediate to Paramedic. He is a founding member of EMSA’s Community Ambassadors program and, as such, conducts dozens of presentations each year at schools, has organized clothing drives for the homeless, and represents EMSA at various public events. Chase also is a Field Training Officer and serves on both the honor guard and tactical EMS teams.

Brian started with REACT in 1996 as an EMT. He continued his education, earning his Paramedic license in the fall of 1998. Brian has worked in many roles from Medic to Supervisor, but his true passions are patient care and teaching new Paramedics.
Brian currently works as a Senior Field Training Officer and Critical Care Paramedic.

A common fear of most EMS providers is the fear of being called to care for a family member. Brian’s story has a bit of a twist. Brian was working on Valentine’s Day 2009 when his unit was dispatched to an pediatric inter-facility transfer, the result of child abuse. Always a hard call to manage, the patient’s condition was critical as he had severe head trauma. Brian also recalls the emotions of caring for a child that was hurt as a result of adults’ actions. As always, Brian did an excellent job during the transport. However, you never really forget those calls.

Skip ahead a couple of months. Brian and his wife, Lindsey, had been trying to have a baby for a long time. A friend recommended that they consider adopting a child who had been placed in the care of the state. Solomon, a three-year-old, was a delightful young man and they knew in an instant that he was meant for them. The adoption process— applications, interviews, home visits and court proceedings—went on for what seemed like forever.
Finally, Solomon came to live with them.

The State of Oklahoma realized what a great home Brian and Lindsey offered Solomon. Everyone was happy. It wasn’t long before the couple answered a phone call; the State had another young boy, about 16 months old, who needed an adoptive home. Brian says they couldn’t say no, not without knowing more and meeting the boy. It was only a short time before Brian realized that the boy he could offer a home was the same young patient he had cared for months earlier. Zach had recovered from his injuries, and had some more therapy in his future, but he was obviously a perfect match for this young family.

Within the next year, the State called again. This time a lovely little girl, Gracey, needed a home. Brian and Lindsey thought that a daughter would complete their family and be a great addition to the boys’ lives. She was just as precious as the boys, and they agreed to go through the process again.

Then, (as if you couldn’t see it coming), came the news that after so many years of trying to have a biological baby, Lindsey was expecting. Their family was to grow by one more. Asher was born on March 14, 2011. Seventeen months after Solomon came into their lives, their family is complete.

Brian spends the majority of his off-duty time being a great dad—helping the boys work off all their energy, treating his little princess like a princess, and watching favorite videos for the 100th time. These are his favorite things to do.

But perhaps the most commonly admired attribute of Brian is his constantly positive attitude. Brian can make friends quickly, with anyone from the clerk at the store to the surliest patient to the busiest physician. He never complains about a call, no matter what time of day.

REACT appreciates Brian for everything he does for his patients, for being a great role model, and for inspiring all of us who are privileged to work with him.

LifeNet takes great pleasure in selecting Chris Moore as our 2016 Star of Life representing our Oklahoma Division. His peers proudly chose him as a true example of prehospital excellence. While Chris has been with LifeNet for less than two years, his involvement in EMS began in 2005 and extends over several years of field experience and classroom influence. Chris possesses a never-ending drive for excellence that he embodies during patient care, instruction, and while at the station.

A coworker said, “One word to describe Chris is ‘passion’; to teach and to learn.” He has been involved with initial EMS education programs helping to develop newcomers to our industry. Chris excels at finding ways to
communicate his excitement for education to others in easy-to-learn formats. His students praise his ability to break down difficult concepts, and this affinity for sharing knowledge has led Chris to be a “go-to” instructor for his coworkers and managers. If a complicated subject needs to be communicated, Chris is the first to step up to develop a comprehensive and clear method of presentation.

As a Field Training Officer for LifeNet, Chris uses his experience to influence the development of new employees as well as to foster the growth of tenured providers. The patients and customers Chris serve always have praise for his care and compassion. Little do they know the effort he puts forth before the call with protocol development and operational influences that positively impact the outcomes for all of our patients.

Chris is known as a family man and for his spiritual walk. Chris and his wife, Caitlin, along with their son and daughter, recently served as a foster family for a young child in need of love and attention. Chris and Caitlin are active in their church and community, and they bring warmth to any gathering of LifeNet employees.

2016 OKAMA Star of Life

Larry Pickens currently serves as Creek County Emergency Ambulance Service District’s Special Projects Manager. He was hired by Creek County in 2001 as an EMT-B. Larry served as a street basic until becoming a supervisor in 2006. In 2008, Larry became part of the office staff, serving as a “go to guy” for computer problems. Larry has kept the company current with the Oklahoma Emergency Medical Service Information System (OKEMSIS), has filled in for Creek County’s billing department when someone is on vacation or sick, and has kept the service’s technical programs running during severe weather or disaster events, as well as during many upgrades. Larry has frequently been called off duty to address issues with the company’s servers, and has responded without complaint, even at 3:00 AM. As a result, his file is always full of positive comments from other medics and patients.

In 2013, Creek County Emergency Ambulance Service District was exploring ways to be more involved within the communities it serves. As Larry was already a car seat technician, he developed Creek County’s only child safety seat program. In addition, Larry has been appointed to ten different committees that involve supporting and improving the health and wellness of the community. He currently serves on the Creek County Partnership Committee, the Creek County Healthy Living Program, the Substance Abuse and Prevention Committee, the Blue Ribbon Dash (a child abuse prevention committee), the Community Baby Shower (which supports young impoverished mothers), the TSET Committee (which supports smoking cessation), and the Sooner Success Committee, which promotes healthy living. Larry also serves on the Creek County Literacy program board.

In just two years, Larry has become the face of Creek County Ambulance in the community. It is therefore our pleasure to recognize him as a Star for 2016.

Pafford EMS of Oklahoma is proud to nominate Kim Poindexter as an American Ambulance Association 2016 Star of Life. Kim has been a very loyal and productive employee both on and off the truck.

Kim began her EMS career 12 years ago after watching a close friend pass away before her eyes, unable to provide any assistance. She decided at that moment that she never wanted to be in that position again, and enrolled in the next EMT course she could find.

For 12 years, Kim has served the citizens of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, the past 10 of which have been with Pafford EMS of Oklahoma. In those ten years, Kim has proven to be an invaluable asset to both the company and her peers.

Most EMS providers look at their peers in EMS as an extension of their immediate family, and Kim is hardly an exception. She often takes this family approach to unforeseen levels. Kim goes out of her way to ensure the crews who are working on holidays are invited to her home to enjoy a warm holiday meal and fellowship with her family. Whenever her peers face difficult times, on either a professional or a personal level, Kim has always been the first person to come to their aid, offering them any support she can provide, whether it be a shoulder to cry on, a warm meal, or just simply letting them know that she cares.

When natural disasters strike, such as widespread wild-land fires, or tornadoes, Kim always rushes to the aid of the front-line personnel, firemen, or first responders. She has been known to purchase pallets of bottled water and cases of snacks, and to deliver them to these responders to ensure they have some simple necessities to continue their work.

Kim has always been the kind of EMT that takes her peers into consideration, often volunteering to take emergency calls, inter-facility transfers, or posting assignments, just so other crewmembers can catch a break, or get something to eat.

Kim has always strived for excellence in everything she does. She is passionate about her job and peers, compassionate with her patients, and is a model person and employee.

Life EMS is honored to nominate Adam Then as one of its 2016 Stars of Life. For the past two years, Adam has worked as a paramedic and was recently promoted to a supervisory position in Quality Assurance.

Adam knew he wanted to become a medic in high school and enrolled in a basic EMT course as soon as he graduated. Once he completed his basic course, Adam immediately enrolled in a paramedic program.

Adam is a member of the Life EMS REMMS Disaster Medical Response Team. He is a team player and consummate professional who always takes time out of his day to help a fellow medic. It is no wonder that his colleagues nominated him for a 2016 Star of Life.

An avid outdoorsman, Adam loves hunting, fishing and camping. Adam and his fiancé, Kiley Barnett, are getting married in October 2016 and all the employees of Life EMS wish them both much happiness. We are so grateful that Adam is a member of the Life EMS family.

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.

When Michael Williams tells his colleagues that he knows how they feel, he isn’t joking. During a 14-year tenure at EMSA, Michael has held nearly every job there is. He joined EMSA as a vehicle supply technician and quickly worked his way into a tech supervisor role. Other roles he’s filled include EMT and field training officer, materials manager, paramedic, emergency medical dispatcher and, most recently, assistant field operations supervisor. Michael says that wearing so many different hats has given him a unique perspective on the business of EMS, but that “above all else, at the end of the day, we’re all here to take good care of sick and hurt people.”

In August 2015, Michael, his partner, and first responders resuscitated a man who went into cardiac arrest at a flea market. Doctors at the receiving hospital publicly praised the care Michael gave his patient and used the case to highlight the importance of bystander CPR and quality medical care.