Jeannie Lewis serves as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) with Spirit EMS, where her remarkable work ethic, compassion, and determination have earned the admiration of her colleagues and the communities she serves.

Jeannie joined Spirit EMS in 2023 as a part-time wheelchair van driver while working full-time at a local manufacturing plant to support her family. Even while balancing those responsibilities, she pursued her dream of serving others by enrolling in an accelerated six-week EMT program. She successfully earned her certification and soon committed herself fully to a profession she had grown to love.

Jeannie quickly became known as someone her coworkers could count on. She routinely volunteered for overtime and stepped forward whenever additional staffing was needed. In 2025 alone, Jeannie worked an extraordinary 4,045 hours for Spirit EMS. Her commitment was driven not simply by a willingness to work, but by a genuine desire to serve patients, support her colleagues, and ensure her community had access to care when it was needed. Determined to continue growing as a clinician, Jeannie furthered her education and earned her Advanced EMT certification in 2025.

Her dedication did not go unnoticed. Jeannie’s peers selected her as Spirit EMS Employee of the Year, the organization’s highest employee recognition. Chosen by a majority vote of her coworkers, the honor reflected the respect she had earned for her compassion, dependability, positive attitude, and extraordinary commitment to service.

Shortly after receiving that recognition, Jeannie began facing a challenge far removed from anything she had encountered on an ambulance. Following recurring illness, increasing pain, multiple hospitalizations, and extensive testing, she was diagnosed with Stage III pancreatic cancer. Even as she confronted pain, uncertainty, and frequent medical appointments, Jeannie continued reporting for duty whenever she was able, remaining focused on caring for her patients and supporting her coworkers.

Eventually, her physicians urged her to step away from work and focus fully on treatment and recovery. Although she has been away from the ambulance, Jeannie has approached this difficult chapter with the same perseverance, optimism, faith, and determination that have characterized her EMS career. She continues to speak of her hope of returning to the profession and patients she loves.

Jeannie’s journey is a testament to service and perseverance—from working multiple jobs while earning her EMT certification, to advancing as an AEMT, to answering countless calls and supporting her coworkers whenever they needed her. Now, she brings that same determination to the fight of her life. Through every challenge, Jeannie continues to inspire the Spirit EMS family with her courage, compassion, and enduring commitment to others.

Spirit EMS is proud to recognize Jeannie Lewis as a Star of Life.

Curt Garrison serves as Operations Manager for Spirit EMS, where his leadership, innovation, and commitment to service have helped advance the organization while supporting the professionals and communities it serves.

Curt joined Spirit EMS in spring 2020 as an experienced Paramedic assigned to the Greenville station. His abilities as a problem-solver and leader quickly became evident, leading him from Project Manager to Captain of Night Shift Operations and, in 2026, to Operations Manager. Today, he oversees the daily operational demands of a growing EMS organization while managing strategic projects designed to position Spirit EMS for the future.

With experience in construction and municipal management, Curt brings an unusual combination of clinical knowledge, operational expertise, and practical problem-solving to EMS leadership. Affectionately known within Spirit EMS as the “Project Guy,” he has earned a reputation for turning ideas into reality. From coordinating construction and working with contractors and inspectors to addressing complex operational challenges, Curt approaches each assignment with attention to detail, persistence, and a determination to get the job done well.

Curt is equally committed to developing people. Supervisors, captains, station managers, and emerging leaders regularly seek his guidance and benefit from his experience and sound judgment. He views leadership not simply as a position of authority, but as a responsibility to help others succeed. By generously sharing his knowledge and investing time in others, Curt is helping prepare the next generation of Spirit EMS leaders.

Among his most significant projects is the development of the $2.5 million John & Iris Hathaway Education and Community Center. Curt has worked alongside contractors, inspectors, government officials, and community stakeholders to help bring the facility from vision to reality while continuing to manage daily EMS operations. The center is designed to serve as a home for EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic education as well as community CPR, First Aid, and AED training, creating new opportunities for workforce development, professional advancement, and public education. Curt is also helping lead plans for “The Milk House,” an ice cream and sandwich shop envisioned as a community destination and sustainable source of support for the organization’s mission.

Curt’s commitment to service extends beyond EMS. He leads the Grace Resurrection Community Center food pantry and clothing ministry, helping provide food, clothing, and support to individuals and families in need throughout Darke County. This work reflects the same servant-minded approach he brings to his professional leadership.

Despite the scope of his responsibilities, Curt remains deeply devoted to his family. He and his wife, Kellie, are proud parents of Abigail, Andrea, and Arianne. Curt especially enjoys family vacations on the water and the opportunity to make memories with those closest to him.

Whether leading daily operations, mentoring future leaders, overseeing a multimillion-dollar community project, or helping neighbors in need, Curt consistently turns service into action. His vision, humility, work ethic, and dedication have made a lasting impact on Spirit EMS and the community it serves. Spirit EMS is proud to recognize Paramedic Curt Garrison as a Star of Life.

Ashley Baker serves as a Paramedic Captain with Spirit EMS of Ohio, where her commitment to patient care, leadership, mentorship, and service has made a lasting impact on both her colleagues and the communities Spirit EMS serves.

A respected leader among her peers, Ashley was selected by a majority vote of fellow employees as Spirit EMS’ Supervisor of the Year. The recognition reflects the trust and respect she has earned through her calm demeanor, practical leadership style, and genuine desire to help others succeed. Colleagues regularly seek her guidance, knowing they will find a leader who listens, encourages collaboration, and works alongside her team.

Ashley is particularly passionate about developing the next generation of EMS professionals. She dedicates significant time to mentoring new EMTs and Paramedics, sharing clinical knowledge, developing leadership skills, and helping providers build confidence in their abilities. Her influence can be seen in the many EMS professionals she has coached and encouraged throughout their careers.

Her leadership also extends to Spirit EMS’ continued growth. Ashley helped interview candidates and prepare for the opening of the organization’s seventh satellite station in Columbus, Ohio. She served as a liaison with area hospitals and healthcare facilities, helping staff understand and use Spirit EMS’ online scheduling portal for non-emergency and prescheduled ambulance transportation. Her work helped establish relationships with healthcare partners and support the organization’s expansion into a new market.

Ashley also manages the complex responsibility of staffing and scheduling for a large and diverse workforce while helping coordinate personnel, equipment, and supplies for disaster deployments. Her attention to detail and commitment to preparedness help ensure that Spirit EMS remains operationally ready, whether responding to everyday community needs or answering the call during large-scale emergencies.

Beyond EMS, Ashley brings that same extraordinary capacity for caring to her family. She is the devoted mother of nine children and makes every effort to remain present for their games, school functions, and milestones despite the demands of her career. Her generosity has extended to other families as well: Ashley chose to serve as a surrogate mother, giving two families an opportunity to grow their own families while continuing her responsibilities as a Paramedic and EMS leader.

Away from work, Ashley enjoys camping, spending time on the water, and making memories with her family. Her competitive side also appears at home, where an 85-inch television she received as recognition has created a new family competition: who gets control of the remote.

Ashley is a Paramedic, mentor, leader, advocate, and devoted mother whose influence reaches far beyond her job description. Through her commitment to developing others, strengthening operations, preparing for emergencies, and serving patients and families, she demonstrates the compassion and servant leadership at the heart of EMS. Spirit EMS of Ohio is proud to recognize Ashley Baker as a Star of Life.

Sarah Stump serves as Supervisor of Communications, Dispatch, and Billing at Spirit EMS, where her leadership and dedication have made her an invaluable part of the organization’s success. In her primary role, she oversees dispatch and billing operations, trains new personnel, provides continuing education, and ensures seamless daily functions that directly impact both patient care and the financial well-being of the service.

A key member of the leadership team, Sarah has been instrumental in the operational excellence that helped Spirit EMS earn the prestigious Ohio EMS Agency of the Year award. She regularly attends state and national conferences to stay current on Medicare, Medicaid, and dispatch practices, bringing that knowledge back to her team. Her communication skills extend beyond the office—she guides emergency callers with calm expertise, trains hospital staff on transport software to improve response times, and, when needed, steps into the field as an Advanced EMT provider.

Sarah’s colleagues have twice recognized her as Spirit EMS Supervisor of the Year, honoring her in both 2023 and 2024. She also represents the company at community events, including STEM D2 panels, where she inspires young people—especially women—to pursue careers in EMS.

She holds Advanced EMT certifications in Indiana and Ohio, serves part-time with the Union City Fire Department, and is currently enrolled in a paramedic program through Reid Health. In addition, Sarah maintains multiple certifications in dispatch and billing and has recently tested to become a state-certified EMS instructor.

Beyond her professional life, Sarah is devoted to her family. She and her husband, Shelby, are raising three teenagers on their farm, where they care for horses and a lively flock of chickens. With her family’s support, she continues to pursue her education and enjoy hobbies such as photography. Known for her compassion, determination, and love of community, Sarah is a shining example of the spirit of EMS.

Spirit EMS is proud to recognize Sarah Stump as a 2025 Star of Life!

Originally from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Captain Paramedic Will Gardam came to the United States in 2024 to pursue his dream of serving others through emergency medical services. Within just four months of joining Spirit EMS, his dedication and skill earned him a promotion to Captain, making him the immediate supervisor of field crews serving rural Ohio. His leadership is marked by professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to both patients and colleagues.

A graduate of St. Joseph’s College, Ferntree Gully, and the Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Paramedicine, Will quickly established himself as a respected leader. His promotion was celebrated in a special swearing-in and pinning ceremony attended by his parents, Wayne and Megan Gardam, who traveled from Australia to mark the milestone. His father, a flight Paramedic, reflected that what took him a decade to achieve in Australia, Will accomplished in just six months in the United States.

Will’s accomplishments continued to grow. At the Spirit EMS Christmas party, employees voted him “Supervisor of the Year,” a remarkable honor for someone so new to leadership. That same year, Spirit EMS was named Ohio’s EMS Agency of the Year, with Will playing a key role in the company’s success.

Inspired by his father’s career, Will pursued paramedicine at a young age. Knowing that only a small percentage of graduates in Australia secure full-time Paramedic positions immediately after college, he took a leap of faith at age 22 to move halfway around the world. Since arriving, he has embraced both professional and personal growth, building a life of service in his new community.

Outside of work, Will enjoys golf, attending church, and spending time with friends—his “mates.” He has stood as a groomsman for several weddings during his short time in the U.S., reflecting the strong personal connections he has built. He has also found joy in his relationship with his girlfriend, Maddison, and has embraced a father-figure role for her two young sons, Carson and Chandler.

Spirit EMS is proud to recognize Captain Paramedic Will Gardam as a Star of Life for his rapid professional achievements, compassionate leadership, and steadfast devotion to his patients, his colleagues, and his adopted community.