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.

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.

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.

What sets Sue Zeigler apart from other EMS professionals is that she is more than just an exceptional EMT – she is an individual that is 100% committed to the health and welfare of the community she serves. A full-time business owner and part-time EMT, Sue still takes responsibility to monitor radio traffic while off-duty. She has even driven her own vehicle to get to the location of a call to assist fellow crewmembers with a cardiac patient. Sue has also taken it upon herself while off-duty to find a partner so an ambulance can be called into service when Pierre’s two-ambulance system is overloaded. A volunteer for AMR at many community events, Sue is always looking for opportunities to educate the public and advocate the importance of CPR training. Sue cancels client appointments at her salon to help fill uncovered shifts. In addition, Sue donates her cosmetic skills to hospice and cancer patients, and is in charge of AMR’s Sentimental Journey program. Sue Ziegler’s commitment to her patients, her co-workers and the community is the reason why she is being honored as a Star of Life.”

Monte has had a big impact on both his community and the patients he serves as well as his fellow EMS professionals during his 14-year career as a Paramedic. He has served communities in both Iowa and South Dakota as a Paramedic and firefighter, finally working for Sioux Falls.

As a veteran Paramedic, Monte put his experience and knowledge to good use by shaping the lives and careers of future EMS professionals through his adjunct work for The School of EMS, his management of continuing education, the time he spent as a field training officer, and his encouragement and skill as an instructor for certification courses.

His leadership has been crucial in his work as an operations supervisor. Monte recently worked on the team tapped to oversee implementation of a new and complex computer-aided dispatch system. He was responsible for making sure the mobile terminals used by crews for patient reports worked well and efficiently.

Monte is a trusted and integral member of the Paramedics Plus family. Both our community and our service have benefited hugely from Monte’s exceptional dedication to them. We are honored to nominate him as a Star of Life.

Lorrane “Lory” started her EMS career in Sioux Falls in 1994. Since that time, Lory has served as a Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Flight Paramedic and Field Supervisor. Lory has managed multiple areas of ambulance operations ranging from scheduling to supplies. Over the years, Lory has served as the liaison to the rural Fire Department in the area, including currently serving as the peer coordinator for the CISM Team. In her spare time, Lory serves locally as a volunteer Firefighter and EMT for her local community of Valley Springs.

Lory has faithfully served in her community since 1994. During this time, Lory’s dedication to her community has been fundamental to her success in EMS. Lory continually demonstrates the actions and values of an EMS professional, and is a role model to those around her. Whether volunteering as an EMT and Firefighter in Valley Springs or the serving as the peer coordinator of the local CISM Team, Lory can be found serving in her community long after her shift is over. Lory is well respected among the local volunteer services and she is a vital member of the Paramedics Plus Sioux Falls Family.