Katie Tribley is a Flight Nurse and Base Clinical Lead with REACH in Salinas, California, whose clinical expertise, composure, and commitment to education have made her a respected leader within her organization.

Katie demonstrated exceptional clinical judgment during a life-threatening emergency in which a patient’s airway was critically compromised. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, she decisively performed a rare field procedure to secure the patient’s airway. Her ability to remain composed and apply advanced clinical skills under extraordinary circumstances provided the patient with essential lifesaving care.

Katie’s impact extends beyond her work at the bedside. As a highly regarded Operational Base Lead for REACH, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing the clinicians around her and strengthening the quality of care provided by her team. She created a dedicated training space at her base, providing colleagues with an environment where they can develop and maintain the skills required for critical care transport.

Her commitment to continued learning is equally evident in her own professional development. Katie recently became a licensed Nurse Practitioner, adding another level of advanced clinical knowledge to the experience she brings to her patients and colleagues.

Whether performing a rare lifesaving intervention, developing educational resources for her team, or continuing to advance her own clinical education, Katie demonstrates a commitment to excellence that strengthens both her patients and her organization. REACH is proud to recognize Flight Nurse and Base Clinical Lead Katie Tribley as a Star of Life.

Misae Nomiyama is a Flight Paramedic with REACH in Ely, Nevada, whose clinical expertise, adaptability, and commitment to others are reflected in both her patient care and her mentorship of fellow clinicians.

Misae played a critical role during an extraordinary interfacility flight involving a mother in preterm labor who delivered a premature infant aboard the aircraft. Immediately following the delivery, Misae assumed responsibility for the newborn’s care, providing critical assessment, stabilization, and continuous monitoring in the challenging environment of an aircraft.

Throughout the emergency, Misae remained focused on the infant’s rapidly evolving needs, continuing care through the transition to advanced treatment. Her clinical skill and composure helped provide the newborn with essential care during a particularly vulnerable period.

Misae’s commitment to excellence extends beyond individual patient encounters. She serves as a mentor and instructor for new hires, sharing her experience and helping prepare fellow clinicians for the demands of critical care transport. She also demonstrated her willingness to step forward when needed by becoming the only crew member from her program to volunteer for Guardian Flight’s Alaska operation during the 2025 cruise season. She obtained her Alaska license in record time to support that assignment.

Whether caring for a premature newborn thousands of feet in the air, preparing new clinicians for the field, or volunteering to serve in a different operational environment, Misae consistently demonstrates adaptability, initiative, and dedication to others. REACH is proud to recognize Flight Paramedic Misae Nomiyama as a Star of Life.

Steven Hardesty is a Flight Nurse and Base Manager with REACH in Ely, Nevada, whose clinical expertise, leadership, and calm decision-making have made an important impact both in the air and throughout his community.

Steven demonstrated exceptional clinical skill during an interfacility flight involving a patient in preterm labor who delivered a premature infant mid-flight. After safely delivering the newborn, Steven and his partner immediately faced the complex challenge of caring for both mother and baby in the confined and demanding environment of an aircraft.

While his partner cared for the newborn, Steven treated the mother and managed postpartum complications. At the same time, he helped coordinate an emergency diversion, ground transportation, and additional air resources to ensure seamless continued care for both patients. His ability to manage a rapidly evolving emergency while coordinating multiple resources was instrumental in achieving a successful outcome for both mother and newborn.

Steven’s leadership extends well beyond individual patient encounters. As the Ely Base Manager, he has worked to strengthen patient care throughout the community by building training partnerships with the local hospital and helping improve processes for stroke, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and trauma response. His efforts have helped strengthen collaboration and preparedness across the local healthcare system.

Whether managing an extraordinary emergency in flight or developing partnerships on the ground, Steven demonstrates the clinical expertise, composure, and leadership essential to critical care transport. REACH is proud to recognize Flight Nurse and Base Manager Steven Hardesty as a Star of Life.

Steven Hardesty is a Flight Nurse and Base Manager with REACH in Ely, Nevada, whose clinical expertise, leadership, and calm decision-making have made an important impact both in the air and throughout his community.

Steven demonstrated exceptional clinical skill during an interfacility flight involving a patient in preterm labor who delivered a premature infant mid-flight. After safely delivering the newborn, Steven and his partner immediately faced the complex challenge of caring for both mother and baby in the confined and demanding environment of an aircraft.

While his partner cared for the newborn, Steven treated the mother and managed postpartum complications. At the same time, he helped coordinate an emergency diversion, ground transportation, and additional air resources to ensure seamless continued care for both patients. His ability to manage a rapidly evolving emergency while coordinating multiple resources was instrumental in achieving a successful outcome for both mother and newborn.

Steven’s leadership extends well beyond individual patient encounters. As the Ely Base Manager, he has worked to strengthen patient care throughout the community by building training partnerships with the local hospital and helping improve processes for stroke, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and trauma response. His efforts have helped strengthen collaboration and preparedness across the local healthcare system.

Whether managing an extraordinary emergency in flight or developing partnerships on the ground, Steven demonstrates the clinical expertise, composure, and leadership essential to critical care transport. REACH is proud to recognize Flight Nurse and Base Manager Steven Hardesty as a Star of Life.

Bryar Hopkins is a Flight Paramedic with REACH in McClellan, California, whose resilience, compassion, and commitment to serving others extend far beyond his work aboard an air ambulance.

A two-time Stage 4 lymphoma survivor, Bryar has faced extraordinary personal challenges while continuing to dedicate himself to helping others. That commitment was powerfully demonstrated during a memorial event when someone experienced a life-threatening medical emergency. Bryar immediately stepped forward and began bystander CPR.

His lifesaving intervention contributed to the patient achieving return of spontaneous circulation. The patient ultimately made a full recovery, transforming an unexpected emergency into a powerful example of the difference immediate action can make.

Bryar brings that same determination to his professional and personal pursuits. While continuing his work as a Flight Paramedic, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, further expanding his clinical knowledge and capabilities. He is also training for the Boston Marathon while raising funds for charity, combining personal achievement with another opportunity to serve others.

Bryar’s journey reflects remarkable perseverance and an enduring commitment to making a positive difference. Whether caring for patients as a Flight Paramedic, stepping forward to provide lifesaving CPR while off duty, advancing his education, or supporting charitable causes, he consistently demonstrates compassion and service to others.

REACH is proud to recognize Flight Paramedic Bryar Hopkins as a Star of Life for his resilience, selfless service, and unwavering dedication to his patients, colleagues, and community.

Beth Watt is a Flight Paramedic with REACH in Williams, California, whose three decades of flight service have been defined by clinical experience, education, and an extraordinary commitment to the people who serve alongside her.

That commitment was powerfully demonstrated following the crash of a REACH helicopter. After learning that her teammates had been injured, Beth drove two-and-a-half hours through the night to reach her coworkers, arriving within hours of the accident. In a moment of tremendous uncertainty and distress, Beth focused immediately on supporting those affected by the tragedy.

Her compassion extended beyond her injured colleagues. Beth stepped forward to serve as a liaison for the victim’s family, providing support, comfort, and a steady presence during an extraordinarily difficult time. Her actions reflected the loyalty and humanity that have characterized her career and demonstrated what it means to care for the EMS family when tragedy strikes close to home.

Beth’s influence reaches far beyond her work as a Flight Paramedic. During three decades of flight service, she has also distinguished herself as an EMS educator, training generations of medics throughout Northern California. Through her dedication to education, Beth has shared her knowledge and experience with countless EMS professionals, extending her impact to the patients and communities those providers serve.

Whether educating the next generation of medics, caring for patients, supporting a teammate, or standing beside a family during a crisis, Beth leads with compassion and an instinct to serve others. Her response following the REACH helicopter crash exemplifies the loyalty, selflessness, and sense of responsibility that strengthen the EMS community.

REACH is proud to recognize Flight Paramedic Beth Watt as a Star of Life for her three decades of service, her profound influence as an EMS educator, and the extraordinary compassion she demonstrated when her teammates and their families needed her most.

Kenny Glimme is being commended for his quick instincts and lifesaving actions that saved the life of a toddler. While at his base during routine aircraft maintenance, Kenny heard screams coming from a nearby field. Compelled to act, he climbed a fence and discovered a mother clutching her lifeless child, who had fallen into a pond.

Without hesitation, Kenny immediately began rescue breathing and CPR while waiting for first responders to arrive. He coordinated care with the arriving EMS team, requested the closest air ambulance, and helped direct resuscitation efforts on the way to the airport. Once the helicopter crew prepared for flight, Kenny assisted the nurse to ensure the toddler received critical care every step of the way.

The child was stabilized and flown to a pediatric center, where they recovered and returned home five weeks later. Thanks to Kenny’s swift response, clinical expertise, and calm leadership under pressure, a young life was saved.

REACH Air Medical Services is proud to recognize Flight Paramedic Kenny Glimme as a Star of Life!

Dan Laguna is being recognized for a lifetime of service that spans both the EMS industry and the military. His life has been compared to a Hollywood movie, filled with early-life hardships overcome and a highly decorated career in the Green Berets. His military service includes combat in Operation Desert Storm and Mogadishu, Somalia, where he participated in the famous “Blackhawk Down” search-and-rescue operation. His autobiography, You Have to Live Hard to Be Hard, has influenced and informed aviation and military operations around the world.

Dan’s distinguished post-military career with REACH Air Medical Services has allowed him to continue influencing pilots across the country with his knowledge, expertise, and example of sacrifice, dedication, and resilience. Having often been in need of medical attention during his combat experience, Dan now views the EMS field as an opportunity to give back for the help he received when he needed it most. His greatest satisfaction comes from being there for others in their time of need.

Jason Burn’s exemplary service helped save the life of a patient who was critically injured during a hike and, as a result of injuries sustained, suffered cardiac arrest.

The incident happened in mid-May 2022, when Jason and Flight Nurse Jesse Mascarenas risked their own safety to help the patient who fell 200 feet down a mountain slope in cold and rainy weather. Jason and Jesse were able to stabilize the patient until he could be flown to the nearest Level I trauma center.

While the patient lost one leg the next day, the individual made excellent progress in regaining his neurological function. Today, thanks to the intervention provided by Jason and Jesse, the patient is working towards a full recovery, even exercising on a prosthetic leg.

When Category 5 Hurricane Ian hit the Atlantic Coast, Danny Workman was one of the first to volunteer for deployment as part of a four-person neonatal team. Previously deployed three times, Danny knew what a valuable service this team would provide.

The neonatal teams’ mission was to provide rotor-wing EMS to newborns in the area impacted by the hurricane. Danny and his team helped lead the transport of many neonates who would otherwise have had limited options during this national disaster.

As one of the first helicopters to land at the area children’s hospital, the teams set off a chain of evacuation flights that would last nearly two days.

For the next 48 hours, the neonatal team worked tirelessly to help safely transport patients from impacted communities to NICUs throughout the state.

Brad Sparks’ commitment to safety is credited for averting a possibly unfavorable situation.

During what was supposed to be a routine flight returning to base, Brad alerted the pilot that he was well below the established minimums for the instrument approach, which resulted in the pilot performing a go-around procedure and climbing out of the clouds. After the pilot initiated the procedure, he successfully landed the aircraft at a nearby airport.

As the base safety representative, Brad was able to quickly identify the issue, make a recommendation and save the crew from a potentially bad outcome.

Jesse Mascarenas proved to be a true hero when he helped save a critically injured hiker at the risk of his own safety. In May of 2022, Jesse and his partner, Flight Medic Jason Burns, responded to a call to help the hiker, who fell 200 feet down a mountain slope in cold and rainy weather. The patient was severely hurt and suffered cardiac arrest while Jason and Jesse were treating and rescuing him.

The two EMS professionals were eventually able to stabilize the patient until the individual could be flown to the nearest Level I trauma center. Although the patient lost a leg, the individual today is working toward a full recovery, even exercising on a prosthetic leg.

Victoria England is proud to specialize in providing care to neonatal and pediatric patients. Her love for her job is what led her to volunteer to lead the effort to help the youngest of patients receive the best care possible during Hurricane Ian.

Described by her leaders as an “integral source of knowledge and experience for all clinicians in the Northern California bases,” Victoria strives for excellence in her career, never shying away from a challenge. While she has focused her attention on serving neonatal and pediatric patients, she decided to increase her span of care when she moved from REACH 3 in Concord to REACH 17 in Mather. Here, she now cares for patients of all ages and levels of acuity.

Victoria always maintains a positive attitude and continuously demonstrates a passion for helping her organization in any capacity necessary.