Douglas “Doug” Smith is an Advanced Scope Paramedic and Columbus Station Manager for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio with 14 years of EMS experience. Since joining Superior through its acquisition of Columbus Connection, Doug has advanced from EMT to Advanced Scope Paramedic and ultimately Station Manager, building a career defined by accountability, leadership, and a commitment to developing others.

Doug began his EMS career after earning his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification from Columbus State Community College in 2012. Throughout his career, he has served as an EMT, dispatcher, Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) driver, firefighter/EMT, and Paramedic. He is also an EMS instructor and American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS instructor and maintains multiple emergency management and Incident Command System certifications.

As Columbus Station Manager, Doug combines operational leadership with a genuine investment in the success of others. He mentors new station managers, coaches field personnel to strengthen patient care, and serves as a trusted resource for leadership development. His approach emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and the understanding that strong leaders have a responsibility to help those around them succeed.

Doug’s service extends beyond his daily responsibilities at Superior. He volunteers with a local search and rescue organization and has taken leadership roles during complex special events. His contributions include helping lead Superior’s successful operations at the Lost Lands Festival, where careful planning, teamwork, and operational coordination are essential to supporting a large-scale event.

Throughout his career, Doug has earned the respect of colleagues through his professionalism, reliability, empathy, and willingness to accept responsibility. His progression through numerous clinical and operational roles gives him an understanding of the challenges faced by the people he now leads and allows him to mentor others from a foundation of firsthand experience.

Through his dedication to patients, investment in employee development, operational leadership, and continued service to his community, Doug represents the values at the heart of EMS. His accountability, stewardship, empathy, and reliability have made him a valued leader and a positive influence on the EMS professionals around him. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio is proud to recognize Doug Smith as a Star of Life.

Douglas “Doug” Smith is an Advanced Scope Paramedic and Columbus Station Manager for Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio with 14 years of EMS experience. Since joining Superior through its acquisition of Columbus Connection, Doug has advanced from EMT to Advanced Scope Paramedic and ultimately Station Manager, building a career defined by accountability, leadership, and a commitment to developing others.

Doug began his EMS career after earning his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification from Columbus State Community College in 2012. Throughout his career, he has served as an EMT, dispatcher, Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) driver, firefighter/EMT, and Paramedic. He is also an EMS instructor and American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS instructor and maintains multiple emergency management and Incident Command System certifications.

As Columbus Station Manager, Doug combines operational leadership with a genuine investment in the success of others. He mentors new station managers, coaches field personnel to strengthen patient care, and serves as a trusted resource for leadership development. His approach emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and the understanding that strong leaders have a responsibility to help those around them succeed.

Doug’s service extends beyond his daily responsibilities at Superior. He volunteers with a local search and rescue organization and has taken leadership roles during complex special events. His contributions include helping lead Superior’s successful operations at the Lost Lands Festival, where careful planning, teamwork, and operational coordination are essential to supporting a large-scale event.

Throughout his career, Doug has earned the respect of colleagues through his professionalism, reliability, empathy, and willingness to accept responsibility. His progression through numerous clinical and operational roles gives him an understanding of the challenges faced by the people he now leads and allows him to mentor others from a foundation of firsthand experience.

Through his dedication to patients, investment in employee development, operational leadership, and continued service to his community, Doug represents the values at the heart of EMS. His accountability, stewardship, empathy, and reliability have made him a valued leader and a positive influence on the EMS professionals around him. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio is proud to recognize Doug Smith as a Star of Life.

Brittany Scurlock, BAS, Paramedic-IC, is a respected EMS educator and Lead Instructor for Life Support Training Institute (LSTI) at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan. With 27 years of experience in EMS and the fire service, Brittany has dedicated her career to strengthening the profession through education, innovation, leadership, and mentorship.

Brittany earned her Paramedic license in 2001 and her Michigan EMS Instructor-Coordinator license in 2007. Her career has included service with Mount Carmel Connect in Ohio, Huron Valley Ambulance, Lyon Township Fire Department, and Schoolcraft College. She joined LSTI in 2019 and became Lead Instructor at Superior/LSTI in 2021. She also serves as a member of Superior’s Honor Guard.

Brittany holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Paramedicine and maintains credentials as a Paramedic, firefighter, and State of Michigan Instructor Coordinator. She also teaches CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Prehospital Trauma Life Support.

Throughout her career, Brittany has educated more than 200 EMTs and 100 Paramedics. Under her instructional leadership, multiple graduating classes have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination. Her contributions to LSTI’s Paramedic program include developing pathology journals, incorporating simulation-based education using SimMan, and creating an asynchronous Paramedic education program designed to expand access to high-quality EMS training.

Brittany’s influence extends beyond the students in her classroom. As Lead Instructor, she oversees program administration, curriculum and examination development, item analysis, and continuous program improvement. She also provides guidance, mentorship, and professional support to EMS instructors throughout LSTI’s five-state service area, helping fellow educators strengthen their teaching and improve student success.

Brittany’s contributions to EMS education have earned recognition throughout her career, including the Michigan Star of Life Award in 2023. Her greatest legacy, however, can be seen in the clinicians she has prepared, the educators she has mentored, and the programs she has developed to strengthen the future of EMS. Through her commitment to educational excellence, innovation, and professional development, Brittany exemplifies the spirit of a Star of Life. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan is proud to recognize Brittany Scurlock as a Star of Life.

Larissa Schwerin, NREMT-P, FF1, FF2, is a Paramedic with Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service whose career reflects a deep commitment to service, preparedness, and compassionate patient care. Since beginning her EMS career in 2021, Larissa has served communities in both Michigan and Illinois, earning the respect of colleagues through her clinical expertise, professionalism, and ability to remain composed in challenging situations.

Larissa began her EMS career in Michigan, earning her Paramedic license shortly after obtaining her EMT certification. She started professionally with Universal Ambulance before joining Superior in Michigan, where she served for three years. In July 2025, Larissa transitioned to Superior’s Illinois operations, continuing to demonstrate clinical excellence, teamwork, and a commitment to the highest standards of patient care.

Before entering EMS, Larissa served in the United States Army as a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Fire Direction Specialist with the 41st Field Artillery Brigade, attaining the rank of Private First Class. She was among the first female MLRS specialists in the nation and the first woman to serve in that role within her unit. Larissa was honorably discharged in 2015, carrying with her lessons in preparation, discipline, teamwork, and composure under pressure that continue to influence her work as a Paramedic.

Those qualities were on full display in July 2026 when Larissa and her EMT partner were transporting a patient who unexpectedly went into active labor. During her assessment, Larissa determined that delivery was imminent. With no additional assistance nearby and no hospital within a reasonable distance, she directed her partner to safely pull the ambulance to the side of the highway and prepared to deliver the baby.

In the back of the ambulance, Larissa remained calm, focused, and compassionate as she and her partner successfully delivered the newborn and cared for both mother and child. Faced with a rapidly evolving situation far from additional resources, Larissa relied on her training, clinical judgment, and preparation to take control of the situation and provide the care her patients needed.

From military service to emergency medicine, Larissa has consistently demonstrated the ability to serve others with courage, discipline, compassion, and professionalism. Her preparedness and composure inspire confidence among her colleagues and help ensure exceptional care for her patients. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service is proud to recognize Paramedic Larissa Schwerin as a Star of Life.

Jonathan Llanas is a Critical Care Paramedic with 20 years of experience in emergency medical services. He earned his Paramedic certification from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay 13 years ago and joined Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Wisconsin in August 2025. Before joining Superior, Jonathan served with Integrity Care EMS in Iron Mountain, Michigan, and United Area Rescue Squad in Wabeno, Wisconsin.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has developed the clinical knowledge, composure, and judgment required to care for critically ill patients in challenging circumstances. Those qualities were especially evident during the transport of a post-surgical patient who experienced repeated cardiac and respiratory arrests.

Faced with an exceptionally complex and rapidly evolving emergency, Jonathan led resuscitation efforts while simultaneously guiding an EMT student through the student’s first encounter with a patient who was not breathing. Throughout the transport, Jonathan remained composed and focused, achieving multiple returns of spontaneous circulation and working to stabilize the patient despite repeated deterioration.

The call demonstrated more than Jonathan’s clinical abilities. Even amid an extraordinary resuscitation, he remained a leader and educator, supporting a developing EMS professional while maintaining his focus on the patient. His ability to provide direction under pressure exemplifies the experience and professionalism he has developed over two decades in EMS.

Outside of work, Jonathan has recently taken up painting, an activity that provides an opportunity for creativity and personal expression away from the demands of emergency medicine.

Through his clinical skill, composure, leadership, and dedication to both patients and fellow EMS professionals, Jonathan exemplifies the qualities celebrated by Stars of Life. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Wisconsin is proud to recognize Critical Care Paramedic Jonathan Llanas as a Star of Life.

Veronica Diaz, EMT, has dedicated six years to emergency medical services, including nearly five years with Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana. As an Orientation Specialist, she combines frontline experience with a passion for education, mentoring EMS professionals as they prepare for the clinical and operational demands of prehospital care.

Veronica began her EMS career while attending the Hammond Area Career Center and entered private EMS during the COVID-19 pandemic. She gained experience in both interfacility transport and 911 response before deploying to Louisiana during the COVID-19 Delta surge and Hurricane Ida relief efforts. She has continued to step forward when communities need additional support, including assisting with EMS operations during severe storms and tornadoes in Northwest Indiana in 2026.

An unexpected injury helped reveal another of Veronica’s strengths. While temporarily assigned to light duty, she developed a structured program to better organize personnel assignments and support operational needs. After returning to full duty, she advanced to Field Training Officer and, in 2024, was promoted to Orientation Specialist.

In that role, Veronica has made a significant impact on the development of Superior’s workforce. Over the past two years, she has personally oriented 262 new EMS professionals, reinforcing clinical excellence, accountability, safety, and operational readiness. She also modernized the new-hire orientation program and created standardized training resources that continue to support employee development throughout the organization.

Veronica’s commitment to education extends beyond new-hire orientation. As an American Heart Association BLS Instructor and Certified Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) Instructor, she contributes to clinical education and driver safety. She also remains involved with the Hammond Area Career Center, where she supports EMT practical examinations and mass-casualty training exercises while encouraging the next generation of EMS professionals.

From serving patients during public health emergencies and natural disasters to preparing hundreds of new clinicians for their careers, Veronica has consistently found ways to strengthen EMS. Her dedication to education, patient care, mentorship, and workforce development exemplifies the spirit of a Star of Life. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana is proud to recognize Veronica Diaz as a Star of Life.

Jessica Bertolotti, FP-C, CCEMTP, NRP, is a Critical Care Manager, flight Paramedic, educator, and EMS leader whose nearly three decades of service have been defined by clinical excellence, education, mentorship, and support for fellow EMS professionals. Jessica began her career with Superior Air-Ground Ambulance in 1997 and has served as a Critical Care Paramedic, Critical Care Flight Paramedic, Clinical Coordinator, and, since 2021, Critical Care Manager.

Today, Jessica leads the Midwest’s largest critical care transport team while supporting clinical education, staff development, operational improvement, and program growth. She has strengthened Superior’s Advanced Scope Paramedic program, developed competency-based critical care training, and served as the primary instructor for Advanced Scope Paramedic education as well as Critical Care Orientation and Onboarding. Her work has helped build collaborative relationships among Advanced Scope providers throughout the region and expanded her educational and consultative reach into Wisconsin.

Jessica also manages a specialty team supporting a pediatric critical care transport program, where Advanced Scope Paramedics and EMTs work collaboratively with a hospital-based transport team. Across these responsibilities, she combines extensive clinical experience with a passion for preparing clinicians to deliver exceptional care to some of the most critically ill and medically complex patients.

Her commitment to EMS professionals extends beyond clinical performance. Jessica leads Superior’s CARE Team, a peer-support program with members across multiple states. Recognizing that meaningful support must be both approachable and accessible, she developed a centralized website of mental health and wellness resources for Superior employees and established multiple pathways for employees to access peer support. Her work reflects a deep understanding that caring for caregivers is essential to building a strong and sustainable EMS workforce.

Jessica’s influence reaches beyond Superior through her service to the critical care and air medical communities. She has served as the Illinois representative for the International College of Advanced Practice Paramedics (I-CAPP) and volunteers with E.C.H.O. (Every Coast Helicopter Operations) as Co-Director of Education, a Conference Planning Committee member, and a Peer Support Team member. Through these roles, she advances education, professional development, collaboration, and peer support for clinicians beyond her own organization.

Throughout her career, Jessica has demonstrated that exceptional EMS leadership means developing both clinical excellence and the people behind it. Her dedication to advancing critical care, educating and mentoring clinicians, and supporting the well-being of EMS professionals exemplifies the spirit of a Star of Life. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance is proud to recognize Jessica Bertolotti as a Star of Life.