Jon Jakob Peterson, raised in Fargo, North Dakota, dedicated his life to the service of others through his work in emergency medical services. A graduate of Fargo North High School in 2007, Jon married his high school sweetheart, Samantha, two years later, and together they had two daughters, Sophia (14) and Abby (11). Jon’s family was his highest priority, and he was a proud supporter of his daughters’ activities and accomplishments.

Jon’s career began after exploring various jobs, including working as a cook and a parts delivery driver. His passion for healthcare was realized when, with Samantha’s encouragement, he enrolled in the EMT program at FM-Ambulance in 2011. Jon’s dedication to EMS became clear when he saved a motorcyclist’s life during a serious accident in a rural area. His quick thinking, using his belt as a tourniquet, and timely call to 911 resulted in the victim’s survival. This event solidified Jon’s commitment to EMS, leading him to complete the F-M Ambulance Paramedic program in 2012.

After joining F-M Ambulance in December 2012 as a Paramedic, Jon made a profound impact on the lives of his patients and colleagues. He became a backup telecommunicator in 2017 and has received numerous honors for his contributions. These include the Service Ribbon (2013), Preceptor of the Year (2015), Stork Award for delivering a baby in the field, and the Disaster Services Ribbon. In 2016, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Star of the Year. Jon also earned the Critical Life Saver Ribbon twice, in 2019 and 2020, for his role in resuscitating cardiac arrest patients.

Jon’s leadership and dedication extend beyond the ambulance. In December 2023, he joined the North Dakota EMS Association Board, representing EMS from Sanford Ambulance and the Southeast Region of North Dakota. He also served as a liaison officer for Kindred Ambulance, offering education, training, and guidance to rural EMS providers. As a union steward for UFCW Local 1189, Jon was a strong advocate for his peers, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected. With his expertise, knowledge, compassion, and dedication to community service, Jon Jakob Peterson was a deserving candidate for the Stars of Life award, embodying the values of excellence and commitment in EMS.

Jon passed away on September 13, 2024, after a battle with illness. His love for his wife, Samantha, and daughters, Sophia and Abby, was the cornerstone of his life. A proud family man and Packers fan, Jon leaves behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and service.

Nathaniel “Nate” Dutt, born and raised in Fargo, ND, has been an integral part of Sanford Ambulance since 2009, demonstrating dedication and excellence in both pre-hospital care and emergency telecommunications. His journey in EMS began in high school, where he developed a passion for law enforcement and medicine through the Fargo Police and F-M Ambulance Explorers programs. A scholarship from F-M Ambulance allowed Nate to attend EMT training after graduating high school in 2007, and by 2008, he was enrolled in paramedic school at Bismarck State College.

Nate’s commitment to EMS led him to join F-M Ambulance (now Sanford Ambulance) as an EMT in 2009, where he was quickly promoted to Paramedic after completing his certification. Over the past 15 years, Nate has taken on multiple roles, becoming a full-time dispatcher in 2021 while continuing to maintain his Paramedic certification and proficiency by picking up ambulance shifts.

Throughout his career, Nate has been an active member of the Disaster Response Team, Honor Guard, and the Peer Assistance Crisis Team (PACT), which he helped develop in 2019. As a Communications Training Officer (CTO) and Charge Dispatcher, Nate plays a vital role in training new dispatchers and overseeing operations. His leadership in these roles, coupled with his involvement in the Communications and Operations Steering and Oversight Committee, has greatly enhanced the efficiency and quality of emergency communications at Sanford Ambulance.

In addition to his professional achievements, Nate has volunteered in search and rescue for six years with his K9s, Ziva and Sully, assisting in locating lost and missing persons. He is now training his dog Valor to be a Facility Therapy Dog. Outside of work, Nate enjoys spending time with his family, watching his nieces’ and nephews’ sporting events, and camping at the lake.

Nate is a compassionate and skilled provider who consistently goes the extra mile for his patients and colleagues. His extensive experience in both fieldwork and dispatch makes him a standout candidate for the 2024 American Ambulance Association Star of Life Award. Nate’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to improving EMS operations make him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor.

Sondra Bergem was born in Fargo, ND and grew up just outside of Horace, ND, where she attended the West Fargo Public Schools. In her high school years, she developed an interest in the medical field by participating in Meritcare Hospital’s High School Explorers program. Sondra began volunteering for Horace Fire & Rescue just after graduating from high school in 1993. In 1994, she became an EMT and continued to volunteer throughout her college years. Upon graduating from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1997, she began Paramedic school at F-M Ambulance, now Sanford Ambulance, and was offered a Paramedic position in 1998.

Over Sondra’s last twenty-four years at Sanford Ambulance, she has played active roles in the early development of the disaster team in the early 2000s, with the Ambulance High School Explorer program, and as a liaison for rural rescue squads. In 2013, Sondra was chosen to be a part of a pilot program for the initial Community Paramedic program for the state of North Dakota and at Sanford Health. She has worked to train new EMTs and Paramedics, worked with patients one-on-one in the Community Paramedic program to take care of patients in their own homes, worked as a Flight Paramedic in the hospital’s air-medical program, and treated and transported thousands of ground ambulance patients. Today, Sondra remains an active member of the Quality Insurance Committee, a Field Training Officer, and Charge Medic for her shift, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. She has been a union steward serving her fellow co-workers for the past sixteen years and is currently serving as the president of the local union.

Sondra is one of the most empathetic and compassionate pre-hospital care providers that you will find. Her numerous years of experience and training allow her to provide some of the best possible care when you call for help in your greatest time of need. Sondra is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that all of her patients are well taken care of.

In her spare time, Sondra enjoys spending time with her family, watching baseball, spending time at the lake, and traveling. Sondra is married to Chris, who has served twenty-two years as an officer with the Fargo Police Department. They make their home in Fargo with their daughter Riley, age 8.