PatientCare EMS is proud to honor Shellaine Novak as a 2024 American Ambulance Association Star of Life. With over 20 years of dedication to the EMS profession, Shellaine exemplifies the best that mobile healthcare has to offer. As the Clinical Services Director for PatientCare EMS in Sioux Falls, SD, Shellaine has worked diligently with system stakeholders to enhance patient outcomes, create a strong quality assurance environment, refine standard operating guidelines, reduce risk, promote safety, and deliver high-quality clinical education for employees.

Throughout her career, Shellaine has touched countless lives, providing compassionate care to her patients and fostering professional growth in her peers. She has played a pivotal role in training EMTs and paramedics, nurturing them into skilled and proud EMS providers. Before stepping into her current leadership role, Shellaine led a team of field training officers, driving improvements in the field training process. Even as Clinical Services Director, she continues to pick up shifts to maintain her direct patient care skills, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her patients and team. She works closely with leadership and community partners to implement innovative improvements in EMS.

Beyond her professional achievements, Shellaine is recognized for her ability to inspire and uplift those around her. She consistently helps others succeed and reach their goals, fostering a positive and engaged culture through servant leadership. Her influence as a public service professional is felt throughout the organization, promoting personal and professional growth among her colleagues.

Shellaine’s dedication to guiding young EMTs and paramedics as they begin their careers is invaluable. She helps them navigate the challenges of the EMS field, paving the way for their success. Shellaine embodies the values of providing quality, compassionate care while inspiring others to do the same.

PatientCare EMS is honored to recognize Shellaine Novak as a 2024 American Ambulance Association Star of Life. Her continued impact on the organization, the Sioux Falls EMS system, and the broader EMS profession promises to be significant in the years to come.

Craig Gesterling, Shift Commander and Paramedic at Sunstar Paramedics, has been a key figure in the organization since joining in 2005. His exceptional leadership, tireless work ethic, and innovative thinking have had a profound impact on both field staff and operations. Craig’s dedication to mobile healthcare, combined with his expertise in business administration and information technology, makes him a standout candidate for national recognition.

Craig holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and IT, which he seamlessly incorporates into his role. His ability to manage field operations, communications, and materials departments has been instrumental in ensuring smooth operations at Sunstar. One of his most notable accomplishments is leading the transition from paper-based processes to an electronic system with a streamlined reporting structure. This transformation has not only improved efficiency and reduced errors but also enabled staff to focus more on patient care, enhancing overall service delivery.

Beyond operational improvements, Craig is highly respected for his clinical expertise and has earned numerous commendations from patients, hospitals, and peers, as well as recognition from Pinellas County Medical Control. His leadership extends to training and mentoring through his roles as a Preceptor and Field Training Officer, where he has contributed significantly to the growth and development of his colleagues.

Craig’s combination of clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and forward-thinking initiatives embody the spirit of the Star of Life Award. He is an invaluable asset to Sunstar Paramedics, and his efforts continue to inspire and elevate the EMS community.

Nicole began her career in EMS in 2012 in rural South Dakota. As a volunteer EMT, Nicole served within a small community of only 800 people. During her first years in EMS, Nicole found a passion for serving her community in their time of need. Nicole also shared her passion for EMS by training EMS providers and new EMTs. She helped coordinate multi-agency training opportunities and served as Captain of the ambulance service for 3 years.

Nicole’s EMT experience played a pivotal role in her mission trip to Haiti in 2017. On the eve of COVID-19 in 2020, Nicole made the career change from full-time ministry to full-time EMS. Entering the full-time workforce grew Nicole’s desire to do more within the field and she attended paramedic school through the School of EMS- Sioux Falls, SD. Completing the program in June 2021, Nicole spent 6-months working in hospital-based EMS before returning to PatientCare EMS in December 2021.

In September 2022, Nicole received a promotion to Clinical Manager and moved into the Director of Operations position in May 2023. Nicole continues to enjoy serving her community through the various avenues allowed by a career in EMS and hopes to inspire the next generation of providers to chase their passion for caring for others as well!

PatientCare EMS is proud to nominate Nicole Kueter as a 2023 American Ambulance Association Star of Life. Nicole has served within the EMS field for more than ten years and exemplifies the best qualities of an EMS professional. Since joining PatientCare EMS is 2021, Nicole has served as part of the leadership team at many different levels. In her time with PatientCare EMS, she has served as a Paramedic, a Clinical Manager, and currently serves as the Director of Operations.

Prior to making the decision to transition to a full-time career in EMS, Nicole served as a youth minister and as the captain of a rural ambulance service in South Dakota. Nicole shared her passion for EMS by training young Paramedics and EMTs. She helped coordinate multi-agency training opportunities within her rural community. On the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicole made the decision to transition to mobile healthcare full-time so that she could further assist her community.

Although Nicole has distinguished herself as described above there are other traits that make her deserving of recognition. Her compassionate care for patients, her support of the employees she is charged with leading, her ability to influence young EMS professionals, her ability to promote a positive engaged culture within the industry, and her calm confidence serve as models to her colleagues. She exemplifies what it means to be a public servant.

As a profession, we serve in an environment that is ever-changing and constantly evolving. This has never been truer as we continue to navigate out of a worldwide pandemic. We seek out and recognize individuals who maintain a focus on providing quality compassionate care while leading others to do the same. Nicole is the embodiment of this. She continues to broaden her knowledge and scope within the industry.

We are truly excited that she is a rising star within our organization. Nicole is a shining example of who first responders are, and it is our honor to recognize her as a 2023 American Ambulance Association Star of Life.

Sunstar Paramedics is proud to honor David Grabowski as a Star of Life. David has served as a Paramedic for more than 9 years and embodies the best qualities of a mobile healthcare professional. Since joining Sunstar, David has excelled at furthering his skills and knowledge to best serve his community.

David is a member of the Pinellas County Tactical EMS team, which supports the Pinellas County Sheriff’s SWAT operations and participates in serving high-risk warrants and providing VIP escorts in addition to incident response. He has become a highly-qualified member of this team and achieved the prestigious Tactical Paramedic certification from the International Board of Specialty Certifications.

David is also a member of the CAMTS-Accredited Sunstar Critical Care Transport Team, and holds the rank of Critical Care Paramedic. As a member of this team, David cares for and transports high-acuity patients who require high levels of monitoring and intervention to and from definitive care centers. David is also recognized as a certified Flight Paramedic through the International Board of Specialty Certifications.

Although David has distinguished himself in many ways, there is one trait that cannot be certified that truly makes David deserving of recognition. He is always compassionate with his patients and supportive of his colleagues. The calm, confident, yet humble way David conducts himself is an excellent example of public service and what it is to be a member of the EMS community.

On a particularly exceptional call, David was partnered with a recently hired Paramedic, and the two clinicians were first on scene to a critical overdose. David remained calm, cool, and collected managing the patient’s care while setting the tone for the newer crew member. The patient’s outcome was a positive one, and this can be attributed at least in part to the skill, compassion, and expertise that David possesses.

As an industry we look for individuals that will perform in the ever-changing environment in which we find ourselves. It can give us hope to see people like David who are resilient to high-acuity complaints, such as opiate overdose, striving to further their knowledge in responding to dangerous and dynamic scenes with the Tactical Paramedic program. David is truly a shining example of what a First Responder should be. It is Sunstar Paramedics’ honor to recognize him as a 2019 Star of Life.

Paul Kock represents what is best in an EMS professional and Sioux Falls EMS is proud to nominate him as a Star of Life for his outstanding dedication and long-standing commitment to volunteer EMS. Paul has twenty-three years of service to the City of Sioux Falls, and nearly three decades of volunteering his time to EMS. He is a knowledgeable and kind provider, and always strives to best help each of his patients. Though he is not a member of supervision, Paul is a leader in the organization, and a mentor to many in the region. Sioux Falls EMS is incredibly appreciative of his service, experience, and professionalism.

Terry Masters is an EMT Advanced for the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) Operations Division. Terry has been in public safety for the past 40 years, and was nominated as a Star of Life by his peers for his professionalism and his extensive dedication to his community.

Terry is always maintains a positive attitude while at work. He makes the job enjoyable for everyone, and is ready and willing to assist both his colleagues and his community. Terry goes the extra mile, and takes extra care of his ambulance to ensure his patients have the cleanest unit in the fleet. His commitment to patient care and his ability to outwork many of his younger peers are what make Terry stand out as an EMT. TRAA believes Terry is one of the reasons for its great patient satisfaction scores.