Larry Cardwell
Larry Cardwell is being honored as a Star of Life for his role as an advocate for change and innovation in his organization. Larry built a Beta Weather and Flight Planning Station that is unparalleled in terms of ease of use, fidelity, scope and dependability of flight-planning information. His state-of-the-art system has helped REACH crews and patients fly safer, ultimately earning him the REACH Safety award in 2019. In addition to his commitment to safety, Larry is one of a handful of clinicians trained to transport neonatal intensive care unit patients. As such he has received the intensive training to care for newborn babies who require intensive medical care and specialized technology. All of Larry’s patients receive ICU-level care and his trademark compassion and respect. He is a vigorous advocate for them and goes well above and beyond in his service to them, his community, and his company.
Larry has been a paramedic for eight years. Based on his continued advancement of process improvement and innovation, as well as his clinical expertise, Larry’s colleagues believe there is no better candidate to receive the industry’s highest honor and represent the company in Washington.
Brooke Holoubek
Brooke Holoubek is being recognized for her diligence and strong work ethic, which she demonstrates daily, regardless of the challenging circumstances she may face. Since the time she joined REACH, Brooke has been a dedicated EMS professional who is constantly seeking ways to polish and improve her service as an advanced neonatal provider at her base. It is not uncommon to see Brooke respond to paged-out neonatal transport requests or requests that were held past the end of her scheduled shift.
Her enthusiasm for her work is also evident in her service to local rural areas, where she provides critical clinical expertise to community hospitals when called upon for neonatal and pediatric transports. Brooke’s humble leadership, willingness to serve, and dedication to and love for her work are just a few of the qualities that make her an exemplary model of excellence.
Michael Gibson
Michael Gibson is being honored as a Star of Life for his unquenchable curiosity and desire to invent medical devices that improve patient care and treatment. During the early days of the pandemic, Michael discovered that there was a lack of proper equipment to ventilate patients. So, rather than trying to find an improper fitting oxygen mask or using another oxygen device outside of its intended purpose, he invented a new oxygen mask. This new mask provides oxygen to the patient while also providing negative pressure around the patient’s face that stops the aerosolization of droplets. The new mask basically keeps a patient from infecting others around him. Michael’s invention eventually got the attention of General Motors, which became interested in producing the medical mask. However, once the pandemic began to wane, GM’s interest did too. But that has not stopped Michael from moving forward with his idea. He is currently working on receiving FDA approval for his innovative invention.
In addition to his creative spirit, Michael is known as a selfless steward who loves to share his knowledge with new nurses, Paramedics, and others who work in the field of patient care. He is articulate, self-motivated, and considered by his peers as a leader in medical education.