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.

Jake Winn was selected by his fellow employees to be a 2016 Star because of his compassion and willingness to help others.

After his first medical response call as a volunteer at the local fire department in a small community, Jake knew that he wanted to be involved in EMS. He earned an EMT basic license in June of 2013 and became an employee at Life EMS in
September of that year. Subsequently, he enrolled in an EMT Advanced class, which he completed in July of 2014. Realizing how advanced life support can improve patient outcomes, Jake promptly enrolled in Paramedic school and is scheduled to graduate this July.

A dedicated husband and father of three children, Jake manages to balance family life, school and his job at Life EMS. He also works at Pond Creek Volunteer EMS. In the little spare time he can find, Jake enjoys the outdoors, including fishing and hunting, and is an avid OU football fan.

Life EMS is honored to present Jake Winn as one of its 2016 Stars of Life.