Robin “Smitty” Smith has been an invaluable member of the First Call Ambulance team since 2015. Starting as a Paramedic in the field, Smitty’s commitment and passion for EMS quickly became evident, leading him to transition into a pivotal role in training and education. Today, he oversees the training of all employees, with a special focus on leading our EMT Academy.

Under Smitty’s leadership, the EMT Academy has flourished. His dedication to perfecting the art of teaching has resulted in outcomes that far exceed national standards. His last two academy classes achieved an impressive 100% pass rate on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam, a remarkable feat that speaks to his skill as an educator. These results, well above the national average, reflect not just Smitty’s ability to prepare his students for exams but also his dedication to shaping highly competent providers who are ready to serve their communities.

Smitty’s impact extends beyond the classroom. His unwavering commitment to his students’ success has led to the creation of a new generation of EMTs who are prepared, confident, and skilled in providing lifesaving care. His passion for education and his genuine care for his students make him a standout leader in our organization.
When he’s not guiding the next wave of EMS professionals, Smitty enjoys relaxing on the golf course and cherishing time with his wife. First Call Ambulance is honored to recognize Robin “Smitty” Smith as our 2024 Star of Life, celebrating his exceptional contributions and dedication to the EMS profession.

Faith’s journey to her current role as a Paramedic Supervisor at National EMS is a testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership. Joining the team in 2020 amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Faith didn’t just adapt; she thrived, quickly becoming an indispensable member of the organization.

Faith tackles every task with equal enthusiasm, a smile that never fades, and a can-do attitude. Her willingness to take on any challenge and see it through to completion has made her the go-to person for her colleagues. Faith’s calm demeanor in high-pressure situations is infectious. She brings a sense of tranquility to even the most chaotic patient care environments, working through complex scenarios with professionalism and positivity.

Faith’s clinical expertise is equally impressive. She inspires trust and confidence among her patients and peers. Her approachable personality and commitment to our “people first” philosophy make her a natural leader and a joy to work alongside.

Recently, Faith demonstrated her exceptional crisis management skills when faced with a combative patient suffering from a seizure disorder. While others at the scene grew agitated, Faith maintained her composure, redirecting the focus to patient care. Her ability to stay calm and lead in such a high-pressure situation led to a successful outcome, a true testament to her leadership in action.

Beyond her on-the-field excellence, Faith has taken on additional responsibilities that benefit the entire organization. She recently spearheaded a hiring initiative, bringing fresh talent into National EMS. Additionally, she played a crucial role in ensuring company-wide compliance with annual N-95 mask recertification.

Faith’s willingness to go above and beyond and her readiness to lend a helping hand sets her apart. As one of our fastest-rising stars, Faith embodies the essence of being a leader in emergency medical services. With great pride and confidence, we nominate her for the AAA Stars of Life program, knowing that she represents the best of what our profession has to offer.

Lillie’s expertise is vast, and she is an invaluable resource to her colleagues. With tri-state licensure as a Paramedic in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi, she is equipped to provide care across a wide geographic area. This unique qualification enhances her ability to serve multiple communities and respond to diverse medical emergencies.

A key area where Lillie excels is in mentorship and coaching. She has played an instrumental role in improving employee onboarding, retention, and morale, using her talent for active listening and her ability to connect with staff across generations. Her efforts have made her a role model for effective communication in a diverse workforce, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

In addition to her operational roles, Lillie is a vital member of the company’s compliance team. She is responsible for understanding and implementing corporate compliance initiatives across the Priority family of companies, contributing significantly to quality assurance and risk minimization efforts.

Lillie Jamison’s multifaceted contributions, her dedication to excellence, and her ability to inspire and mentor her colleagues make her a standout nominee for the American Ambulance Association Star of Life award.

Kayleen Harding, originally from Rocky Boy, Montana, began her EMT journey in 2022. After her family relocated to the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, Kayleen felt a strong calling to give back to her new community. In November 2022, she joined the local EMS team and has since dedicated herself to improving communication between tribal members and EMS professionals.

Kayleen understands the crucial role that effective communication plays in fostering trust and collaboration across cultures. Her commitment to bridging these gaps was highlighted when she organized a booth at the Eastern Shoshone Pow Wow, where she showcased her skills as an athletic trainer. By finding common ground between the two cultures, she secured EMS standby services for the event. Kayleen used the opportunity to educate both tribal members and her colleagues on cultural differences, promoting mutual understanding and respect.

In addition to her work as an EMT, Kayleen is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology, further demonstrating her commitment to enhancing her skills and expanding her ability to serve her community.

Robyn Asher has been with Priority Ambulance since its inception, serving as the Training and Quality Assurance Manager for East Tennessee. She instructs EMT programs, coordinates in-service and new employee training, manages the controlled medication program, liaises with the Medical Director, and oversees the state audit. Robyn previously worked as a field EMT and Critical Care Paramedic, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to EMS. She also contributes as an evaluator for Tennessee EMS practical testing.

Robyn’s dedication to EMS extends to her family, as her daughter has followed in her footsteps, completing one of Robyn’s EMT academies and now working as an EMT at Priority Ambulance.

Beyond her professional life, Robyn is passionate about horses and serves as President of a non-profit horse club. She has mentored many young people through 4H clubs, providing horses for various programs and guiding participants to State Competitions each year.

Priority Ambulance extends its gratitude to Robyn Asher for her unwavering dedication to the EMS profession, the company, and the communities we serve.

Commitment to patient care and service are just a couple of reasons why William “Andy” Hardy has received local, state, and national awards.

As a paramedic since 2014 with AMR, Andy strives to provide the highest standard of patient care and goes above and beyond to ensure his patients receive the medical attention they need while treating them with the utmost respect. He also draws upon his experience to bring valuable ideas to the attention of AMR leaders, providing insight on how to improve operational excellence and patient experiences. He also acts as a mentor for his fellow team members while constantly striving to add to his own skills and capabilities, as well. Andy is a role model for every employee and leads by example.

As a lifelong resident of McMinn County, Andy has dedicated his life to local emergency services. From starting as a volunteer firefighter to obtaining his EMT and Paramedic licenses, he has spent thousands of hours of personal time bettering his community, including volunteering with the McMinn County Rescue Squad and Helen Ross McNabb Foster Center.

Jason Nugent has been a paramedic at Puckett EMS for almost 12 years and a supervisor for ten of those years. He worked as a Chattanooga medic before becoming ideally suited for the field supervisor position.

Jason was born and raised in Marion County, Tennessee. He has served as part of Kimball Fire & Rescue. He is active in his community and is a frequent attendee at Marion County Commission meetings. Marion County Mayor David Jackson has said he views Jason as the liaison between Marion County Commissioners and Puckett EMS.

Jason is well-known and well-liked in his community and within our Puckett EMS community. Any time there is a catastrophic event, Jason is on scene to assist—even when it means coming in on his day off from work.

Jason is fortunate that his wife is a long-term dispatcher for Marion County, so she is understanding of the business and Jason’s connection to the community.  

Teighlor has served Cocke County, TN, since August 2023. She is from a tiny town in Southern Ohio. Watching the care her grandparents received following a stroke and lung cancer planted the seed and grew Teighlor’s love for EMS. She began her career in Huntington, West Virginia, in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began. The area was rampant with addiction and poverty, and Teighlor set a goal to treat each patient just as her grandparents had been treated. 

Teighlor believes it does not take much to make a difference in someone’s life. Since working in Cocke County, she has “adopted” one of our repetitive dialysis patients. Teighlor spends her free time brightening the individual’s day, helping with tasks ranging from grocery shopping to painting fingernails—small gestures that illustrate Teighlor’s big heart.

Wendy Unmacht is being honored as a Star of Life for a career that has featured more clinical saves than her supervisors can count. Throughout her tenure, she has consistently worked to ensure that her patients are all well taken care of. That same level of compassion extends to her colleagues as well. In fact, it is her selfless approach that has made her so successful in her EMS career. She is affectionately known as “Mom” and lives up to that name with her heart, her understanding, her helpfulness, and her caring. She can also be authoritarian when the situation calls for it. As a leader herself, she molds other leaders, sharing her experiences, good and bad, with junior crew members. But mostly she leads by example. She’s on the truck in the community or on the phone putting out fires in the office, generally working 12-36 hours straight. She is tireless, fearless, and an inspiration to all around her.

Wendy has been with AMR for 19 years. In that time, she has done BLS, IFT Transports, 911 ALS, Critical Care, Fire Strike Teams, ER Technician, and the list goes on. She constantly strives to continue to better herself through continuing education, as well as sharing that education with her junior staff members.

Eric Bradshaw saved a patient who had suffered multiple wounds on April 19, 2021. Eric and his engine company responded to a motor vehicle accident in which a patient suffered multiple serious injuries that threatened her survival. The patient was also at risk of having her leg amputated near her hip. By providing fast, life-saving interventions, Eric managed to stabilize the patient and control her bleeding, ultimately transporting her to a trauma center, where she was able to receive further treatment. The patient has since recovered and is able to lead a normal life, including full use of the leg that was initially considered for amputation. This is just one example of Eric’s heroism. He knows the value of working with a team and the importance of staying focused, especially when a life is at stake.

Frank Berlanga has contagious enthusiasm and a caring spirit. He is being honored for his leadership in founding an Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program at his operation in Tennessee.

Frank is described as a “team-builder” who promotes an environment that is friendly and dedicated to excellence in service. His peers respect him for taking the initiative on issues ranging from long-to-short-term needs. He is a go-getter who cares deeply for his fellow EMS colleagues as well as for his community. If he sees a problem, he finds a way to organize an effort to address it. For example, Frank raised funds for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at a local swimming pool. Frank is also an ardent believer in skill development and finds ways to help his coworkers in their professional growth. Frank’s EMS knowledge and expertise are described as “top-notch.” He is always willing and happy to help where he can, especially when it comes to teaching.

Paramedic

Rural Metro Fire | Knoxville, Tennessee

“Exceeds all expectations,” “nurturing,” “loves to teach,” and “nothing is too overwhelming”—that’s how Anastasia’s co-workers describe her.

In December 2014, she served as medical commander at one of Knox County’s biggest mass casualty incidents. Two full school buses collided, killing three. Several of the patients were kindergarten age. Her leadership helped to ensure that every patient was sent to a hospital which could provide the level of care needed. She also made sure the uninjured were taken to a secure, comforting location.

Called “our most accomplished paramedic field training officer,” every trainee she works with asks again and again for more shifts under her guidance. When Education Days approach, she is among the first to sign up to brief her colleagues, novice and veteran alike, about new equipment and tricks of the trade.

At scenes with more than one patient, she often takes the worst injured, in part to spare her subordinates the stress that can come with working major trauma. Anastasia provides excellent care for her patients and exceptional support for her teammates.

Bob Moye’s affiliation with Rural Metro Fire began as a fire explorer for Post 453 in 1978 in West Knoxville.

Bob became a reserve firefighter in 1982 after starting as a part-time dispatcher the previous year, and his service continues to the present day. Bob was one of the founding members of Rural Metro’s Station 15 in the Cedar Bluff community where he lives with his family.

In his full-time profession, Bob is a Doctor of Pharmacy for the University of Tennessee Medical Center, working as both clinician and faculty member.

He frequently combines both worlds, conducting classes and in-service training for EMTs and paramedics working for Rural Metro Fire and Rura lMetro EMS in Knoxville.