Shane Terry, a nearly 20-year veteran with Air Evac Lifeteam, is an expert in emergency medical care, known for his ability to quickly assess and intervene in critical situations. His expertise has been particularly noted in two significant incidents: one involving a former AEL team member and the other, a child.

In the first instance, Shane was in an ER when a former team member experienced cardiac arrest. His quick thinking and skillful intervention, alongside ER staff, saved the individual’s life.

In another case, Shane responded to a call for a child in cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, he immediately recognized that the child’s airway tube was incorrectly placed. Shane reintubated the child and, recognizing the weather conditions were unsafe for flight, accompanied the ground unit to ensure the child received continuous care en route to the hospital.

Shane’s dedication to patient care and his ability to act swiftly in critical moments make him a standout in the field. His nearly two decades of service with Air Evac Lifeteam and his commitment to saving lives are why he is recognized as a 2024 Star of Life honoree.

With more than 15 years of dedicated service as an EMS first responder, Kevin Rochford is being honored for his life-saving actions in January 2024, when he responded to a cardiac arrest involving a well-known community leader. Kevin’s quick and decisive intervention, which included administering multiple medications and performing defibrillations, led to the patient achieving ROSC (Return of Spontaneous Circulation) after more than 30 minutes of effort. Thanks to Kevin’s expertise and persistence, the patient survived and has since returned to serving the community.

Known for his humility and commitment to lifelong learning, Kevin is actively pursuing courses to further his career in the medical field. His dedication to both his patients and his personal growth makes him a valued member of American Medical Response and a true asset to the Waco community.

George Lombardo is a dynamic and visionary leader with a remarkable record of driving growth and innovation in EMS. A Critical Care Paramedic with 17 years of clinical experience and three years in management, George is considered a rising star in the profession.

Currently serving as Operations Manager at Superior Mobile Health in San Antonio, Texas, George has a proven track record of leadership and innovation. After being promoted to Field Supervisor in 2021, George played a pivotal role in shaping the position to its current scope before advancing to Operations Manager in 2023.

During his tenure, the organization’s field staff has grown from 45 to over 120 members, and the fleet has expanded from 6 to 14 ambulances during peak hours. In 2023, the organization handled nearly 20,000 calls, reflecting tremendous growth.

George has led several significant initiatives, including mobile data management, recruitment and retention strategies, work/life balance scheduling, and the implementation of the EMS-FTEP (Field Training and Evaluation Program). In 2022, George graduated from Fitch & Associates’ prestigious Ambulance Service Manager Program, where his team project was selected for presentation at Pinnacle 2023.

Committed to teamwork and upholding strong values, George continues to lead with a focus on innovation, growth, and excellence in EMS.

Juvencio Estrada is being recognized for his lifesaving actions during a critical incident involving another company’s ground ambulance and an 18-wheeler collision. Juvencio, along with Flight Paramedic Johan Alvarado, was dispatched to the scene of the accident, where they quickly assessed that one of the patients in the ambulance was in urgent need of advanced care. The patient was experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and had suffered right arm trauma with a tourniquet applied.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, Juvencio and Johan promptly removed the patient from the ambulance and transferred them to their aircraft for immediate transport to advanced medical care. During a fuel stop at Laredo International Airport, they discovered that the patient’s left anterior chest was unstable, among other pressing medical concerns. Acting swiftly, they performed a needle decompression and other complex medical procedures, which immediately improved the patient’s condition.

Their quick decision-making and skilled interventions were described as “lifesaving,” with the patient later expressing that they wouldn’t have survived without the care provided by Juvencio and Johan. Their actions exemplify the highest standards of emergency medical care.

Josh Frierson has dedicated 16 years of his life to serving the Texarkana community as a compassionate and ambitious EMS professional. His journey into emergency services began in 2007 after joining a local volunteer fire department, which led him to the fire academy and eventually to EMT school, where he fell in love with the medical side of helping others. Josh has been with LifeNet since November 2007, and his career has been marked by his dedication to patient care and his commitment to continuous learning. In 2021, he achieved a significant milestone by earning his Paramedic license after completing LifeNet’s accelerated Paramedic course.

In addition to his work in the field, Josh has recently stepped into a leadership role as an Operations Manager at LifeNet, a goal he has long aspired to. He is excited to contribute to the growth and betterment of the company while continuing to serve his community. Josh believes that EMS is a rewarding, though challenging, career and advises anyone entering the field to never stop learning, as the medical field is constantly evolving.

Being recognized as the Texas Star of Life for 2024 is a tremendous honor for Josh. Knowing that his coworkers nominated him for this award is a source of immense pride, as he strives every day to do what is best for his patients and to support his fellow team members. He is proud to be part of an amazing staff that consistently goes above and beyond for the community.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife, Morgan, who many in the medical field know from her role at a community hospital. Married since December 2021, they have three children: Aiden, 17, Emori, 3, and Knox, 1. Family is a central part of Josh’s life, and he cherishes moments spent on the back porch with friends and family, watching the kids play in the yard.

Josh’s three defining qualities—compassion, trustworthiness, and ambition—shine through in every aspect of his work. He hopes to make a positive impact on his community, one patient at a time, and is grateful for the opportunity to do so through LifeNet.

Jeremiah Capps has made significant contributions to emergency medical services in both the military and civilian sectors, exemplifying leadership, innovation, and dedication. A veteran of the special operations community, Jeremiah brings unmatched experience and a mission-first mentality to every aspect of his career.

His journey began in special operations, where he played a pivotal role in developing and establishing medical operations squadrons nationwide. One of his most groundbreaking achievements was creating the first Air Force Instruction (AFI) focused on providing comprehensive care throughout the special operations pipeline. This AFI has since been adopted across the military, significantly improving care and training for personnel in high-stress environments.

Jeremiah also led the strategic development of the Air Force’s special warfare training pipelines in San Antonio, Texas. This initiative laid the foundation for training programs in Special Reconnaissance, Combat Controllers, and Pararescue, ensuring top-tier care and operational readiness.

Currently, as operations manager at Superior Mobile Health, Jeremiah continues to set high standards in EMS. His master’s degree in psychology enhances his ability to tackle complex operational challenges with a unique perspective, consistently leading to exceptional outcomes. He has also taught Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and wilderness EMS to special operations personnel globally, further demonstrating his commitment to improving care in the most demanding environments.

Jeremiah’s dedication to service, innovative contributions, and leadership make him an outstanding candidate for the Star of Life Award. His extensive impact in both military and EMS communities embodies the highest ideals of this honor.

Johan Alvarado’s skill, EMS knowledge, and quick thinking are credited for saving the life of a patient in another company’s ground ambulance when that ambulance and an 18-wheeler collided.

Johan, along with Flight Nurse Juvencio Estrada, were dispatched to the scene of the accident, when they realized that one of the patients in the ambulance was experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and right arm trauma with a tourniquet applied. Both Johan and Juvencio assessed that the patient needed to be immediately transported to advanced care, so they removed the patient from the ambulance and placed them into their aircraft.

During a fuel stop at Laredo International Airport, Johan and Juvencio determined that the patient’s left anterior chest was unstable along with other medical concerns. They deemed a needle decompression was necessary and performed both intricate medical procedures. Immediately, the patient’s condition improved.

Johan and Juvencio’s interventions were lifesaving. Even the patient who survived that ordeal credits their survival to Johan and Juvencio’s care.

When the time to provide care at a moment’s notice came on a day in April 2022, Rob Spencer sprang into action. The call involved a young child, who had been riding on a mower when he was run over by the very vehicle he had been riding. Rob arrived to find this child still under the mower with horrific injuries. The injuries were so severe that Rob was forced to make a decision that could have drastic consequences for this young boy.

By the time the child was freed from the mower, an air ambulance was hovering overhead. Rob continued to treat and stabilize the child as the aircraft made its way to the designated landing zone.

Unfortunately, there was an issue that resulted in the grounding of the air ambulance. Rob then made the tough decision to make the lengthy transport with the unstable child by ground.

Through expert and rapid assessment and treatment, the child made it safely to the local children’s hospital. The young man had to endure multiple surgeries but was able to recover and return to a near-normal childhood.

In early October 2022, Rick Fikes and his partner responded to a call that a person at a group home was choking while eating a meal.

Upon arriving at the scene, a firefighter with the local department was already visualizing the patient’s airway. The firefighter told Rick the patient’s airway was full of pasta and that he could not clear it. Rick verified the patient’s airway could not be cleared, then performed a surgical cricothyrotomy on the patient. This quick thinking and clinical skill resulted in him achieving temporary return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The patient was an organ donor, so the procedure performed by Fikes ultimately saved many lives.

Rick was commended by everyone in the emergency department, including the physician, for performing this intricate surgical procedure in the field.

Aaron Graves is a go-getter. From his first day at LifeNet, he has always gone above and beyond for his patients and for his coworkers.

Before joining LifeNet, Aaron served in the Army Reserves for six years. Once he graduated college and was engaged to his now wife, he began his career at LifeNet working in dispatch. While serving as a communications professional, he decided to go to EMT school where he experienced his first clinical shift on the ambulance. At that point, Aaron discovered his passion for working in the field.

Aaron worked as an EMT for two years before he became a Paramedic and served for three more years, which was a requirement for working on a helicopter. Aaron saw that he could make a career out of working at LifeNet and “was in everyone’s ear” leading up to his qualification for a position with LifeNet’s Air program. The summer of 2024 will mark eight years of Aaron serving LifeNet patients in almost every capacity possible including dispatcher, EMT, Ground Medic, Field Training Officer, Flight Medic, and—most recently—Air Programs Base Supervisor.

Aaron enjoys the excitement and the community that surrounds him at LifeNet, as every day brings something new, and every call has its own set of challenges. He is described by his team members as, “the epitome of who you want” for someone in this profession. One needs to be patient-centered, a self-starter, and highly motivated to excel in EMS and Aaron possesses all those traits and more.

Jess Gibbs, Director of Specialty Care Services, said of Aaron, “He displays an extraordinary level of empathy, compassion, and enthusiasm for his job. He is always looking for ways to improve, which is evidenced through his continued successes within LifeNet.” Aaron seeks out higher learning opportunities, self-betterment, and continued growth. He promotes education through evidence-based practice while teaching at local EMT and Paramedic programs. Aaron is a humble leader who exemplifies all that LifeNet represents.

On behalf of the LifeNet Air division, we are extremely proud to recognize Aaron’s accomplishments and welcome the opportunity to honor him as a 2023 Star of Life. 

Cierra joined Acadian Ambulance in February 2016 as an EMT. She attained her Paramedic certification in 2018 through the National EMS Academy, a sister company of Acadian Ambulance.

Cierra is a native of Bridge City, Texas, and currently serves the Orange County, Texas region. She is very reliable, professional in appearance and demeanor, and is just an all-around good representative of Acadian Ambulance.

Cierra’s passion for EMS and patient care is easy to spot. She is on a constant quest to broaden her knowledge. Most recently, she earned her CCT certification to better serve her patients and give them the best care possible.

Cierra strives every day to figure out what she can do better to be better for her patients and for herself. Her patient advocacy and hard work inspire others. No matter how difficult a situation can be sometimes, she always does what is right. Cierra also assists her coworkers in any way she can.  Some of her coworkers even describe her as a walking protocol book.

Cierra’s genuine and optimistic demeanor was noted by many of the selection committee members. She engaged each of the panel members and displayed confidence and knowledge.

Cierra says, “It’s important to put yourself out there and treat everyone you meet like family. It is not just the treatments we perform that make them feel better, it’s the whole encounter.”

Logan Butts works out of Jefferson County, Texas, including the city of Beaumont. He joined Acadian Ambulance in February 2021. He began as a runner in the fleet department while he attended the National EMS Academy, a sister company of Acadian Ambulance, to attain his EMT certification.

Logan has received numerous compliments from patients he has treated, as well as their family members. He is meticulous in his unit’s appearance and ensures it is inventoried and stocked. He is described as fun to work with and is a resource to other employees, particularly new hires when they have questions about Acadian’s policies or procedures. He pushes the people he works with to improve their AMPS scores and to always do what is right.

Logan is an excellent representative of what we want all EMTs to be. He is also an adjunct EMT instructor at the National EMS Academy’s Beaumont campus.

Acadian Ambulance Director of Operations Porter Taylor said of Logan, “During his interview, he presented a can-do attitude and had an infectious smile. I was impressed with his commitment to being meticulous with his truck on a daily basis. He prides himself on having the cleanest truck in his area.”

Logan is a true patient advocate with a strong work ethic. He takes pride in his work and the organization he works for.

Kristi Wiggins began her career with UT Health East Texas System in 2010 as an ER Nurse in the Level 1 Trauma Center. In 2013, she transitioned to Paramedic/Nurse with the Critical Care Transport Service at EMS/Air1. Kristi is an incredibly hardworking and selfless caregiver who puts her whole heart into her job. She always goes out of her way to do what is best for her patient and the team. Kristi also serves on the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and puts countless extra hours in helping with community CPR classes, Stop the Bleed, and Car Seat Safety Checks.

Kristi has always been the soft-spoken voice of our team; the one that team members call for support or with concerns. She always listens and does her best to make everyone reach his or her potential. Often, Kristi’s colleagues repeat the phrase, “I wish we could clone you,” because she puts all of herself into everything she does, no matter what.

Kristi has recently taken the position as UT Health East Texas’s QA/QI Coordinator. She has embraced the roll, ensuring that all care is well documented and in line with protocol. With this information, Kristi can make sure that the education curriculum meets the needs of her team. She enjoys teaching and helping the new generation of Paramedics and Nurses learn and to love what they do.

Over the course of Kristi’s career, there have been numerous calls from her patients or her patients’ families, describing how well Kristi took care of them. She brings calm to the storm of any situation, and her ER staff colleagues say they feel a weight lift off of them as soon as Kristi walks in the door.

When Kristi is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons outdoors, hunting and fishing. She is always present at her sons’ sporting events, including High School Clay Target League, and volunteers her time at their school.

In four short years of employment at UT Health East Texas EMS, Juliana has consistently shown exceptional patient care and bedside manner. She came to our company with previous EMS experience and immediately found her place at home.

Juliana is currently training with our CISM team, after immediately expressing her interest in the team when it was created. Before our CISM team, Juliana would personally reach out to employees that she knew had a rough call and check on them. Since being a part of our team, she continues to reach out to crews and management when she knows of anyone that may need the services. Juliana has also taken over the EMS Bike Team. Since taking on the responsibility, she has shown that she is very thorough and pays attention to detail. She has taken over this team with pride and is running it very well.

Juliana’s patient care inspires everyone around her to be better. She genuinely cares for every single one of her patients as if they were her own family, and consistently goes above and beyond for all. An example of this is when a patient once called EMS because she ran out of her medications and was unable to go the pharmacy to get them. The patient had no complaints; she just wanted to be able to take her morning medications and was out of options. Juliana called her Operational Supervisor to pick up the medications in order to keep the patient at home and out of the ER. The patient was so grateful to Juliana for her care, and mentioned that she had never come across a medical professional who treated her with so much respect and compassion.

You will hardly ever find Juliana’s truck without a student on it. This is because of the reputation she has made over the years with her students. The students and instructors at nearby colleges know her by name and recommend her for ride-outs because she takes time with every student to go over everything, from where supplies are located on the truck to protocols and operations. She cares about her community and puts as much effort into training new EMTs and medics as she puts into her patient care.

You may sometimes hear the crews speaking about a “treat fairy.” Few of us know who it is and many still wonder. Juliana keeps a box of snacks, fidget toys, stickers, cards, and inspirational quotes to leave in trucks randomly. When she notices a crew that has been busy or is just not having a good day she will leave treats for the crews to find in their trucks. This has helped spread positivity and unity amongst the crews. She enjoys spreading cheer and wants zero recognition.

Overall, there is not a more deserving person than Juliana “Jewls” Castro for the Star of Life Award. She puts 100% into every patient, every shift, every student, and every crew member.

Douglas “D.J.” Sanders was named a 2022 Star of Life for LifeNet, Inc. in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Born and raised in Hot Springs, D.J. graduated from Lakeside High School in 2002.

“I was a senior in high school on September 11, 2001. I was inspired seeing people helping people during that time,” he said.

At the age of seventeen, a cadet program at the Garland County Sheriff’s Office kicked off his career path to becoming a First Responder.

“Through the program, I spent time observing in the juvenile jail, the adult jail, and the radio room. I also got to do ride-alongs with a deputy. When I got into the radio room, I fell in love with it. There was technology, and the 911 system was exciting to operate,” D.J. recalled. “A dispatcher is the first First Responder ‘on scene.’ I did one ride-along with a deputy and the rest of the time was in the radio room.”

In 2002, D.J. accepted a paid dispatch position working in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. Three years later, he accepted a position dispatching for the Hot Springs Police Department. In 2009, he started dispatching part-time for the Garland County Sheriff’s Office, and, in 2012, he took a part-time position as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher with LifeNet, Inc.

“I was working as a law enforcement dispatcher and was looking for ways to advance my career. I had decided against being a police officer, so I looked for an alternative form of emergency services. I had become phone friends with the dispatchers at LifeNet. When there was a part-time dispatch position, I took it. EMS became my new career. Being able to provide medical assistance to someone in need is an amazing feeling,” he explained.

One of the requirements for working in dispatch at LifeNet was going to EMT school.

“I had spent twelve years working behind a desk. After I obtained my EMT and started working part-time on the ambulances, I realized my desk now had a windshield. That was a good feeling. I felt like I had freedom,” he said. “Yes, you have to run calls, but you’re driving around and moving and getting to meet new people. No day is the same. The look of relief on someone’s face when they see that help has arrived is priceless to me. That’s what keeps me doing this job.”

A drive to grow within the EMS industry inspired D.J. to go to Paramedic school.

“I had thought about going into a management role in the future, so I went to Paramedic school to enhance my knowledge base and be able to move up the ladder in management,” he said.

In 2020, D.J. was promoted to an Operations Manager (OM) role at LifeNet.

“This is going to sound so cliché. I love my job. My job is my life. I put the ‘life’ in LifeNet,” he said. “I enjoy being able to serve others. I do not really have hobbies because my job is my hobby. My coworkers are my friends. If I can be here supporting our crews, I want to be here.”

D.J. was nominated by his peers to be a 2022 Star of Life for his devotion to his job and his colleagues. He goes above and beyond to help both his coworkers and his patients, and is the epitome of what a LifeNet Paramedic and Supervisor should be. After losing a LifeNet colleague last year, D.J. immediately began taking care of others. He made the calls that needed to be made, ensured that everyone had the resources they needed, and shouldered all the responsibilities of the difficult situation. To D.J., his colleagues are family, and family takes care of each other.

When you can get D.J. to take time off, he enjoys spending time with his family and his dogs. He is always up for a good road trip and seeing new places as well.

David “Blake” Norwood has been named a 2022 Star of Life for LifeNet, Inc. in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Growing up, Blake planned to follow in his dad’s footsteps and work in law enforcement. After graduating from Camden-Harmony Grove High School, he attended Arkansas Tech University, where he earned degrees in sociology and criminal justice.

Shortly thereafter, Blake started his career with the Pope County Sheriff’s Office and then the Camden Police Department. In 2015, Blake earned a specialized degree in law enforcement from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy.

During his tenure at the Camden Police Department, Blake was dispatched on a call that would ultimately change the trajectory of his career.

“We were having our Christmas party at the police department when I got dispatched on a call for an ‘unknown problem.’ When I got there, a man came running out and said, ‘My friend has been shot.’ I found the victim shot in the leg three times. I took the belt off the man who had directed me to the scene, and I made a tourniquet using it and my collapsible baton. I held it until EMS got there. Helping him felt good, more so than getting a drunk driver off the street, arresting someone for a domestic dispute, or writing a ticket,” Blake said.

Blake received a lifesaving award from the police department for his actions on scene.

When his wife, Amanda, took a teaching job in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Blake felt it was the right time to enroll in the EMT program at the Arkansas Fire Academy. Shortly thereafter, Blake began working for LifeNet. Since then, Blake has served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) for new EMTs at LifeNet.

“I enjoy teaching, especially when you have people who are open and want to learn,” Blake said. “I became an FTO because I wanted to be able to reach more people. My teaching indirectly touches a lot more patients because I’ve taught the other EMTs how to do their job. I always tell my orientees to do the right thing and take responsibility for their actions, and I try to live by those things, too.”

Blake’s favorite type of calls involve trauma patients.

“They are the most cut and dry. You can see the problem and you can fix it. There aren’t a lot of questions to be asked,” he said.

Blake was nominated for a Star of Life by his peers and selected by a committee of former Stars of Life at LifeNet, Inc. His integrity, empathy, and commitment to the job and to his patients are just a few of the reasons why Blake’s colleagues admire him. Blake works tirelessly to train new hires and to provide the best patient care possible in every situation.

Blake plans to enroll in Paramedic school in the future and ultimately hopes to work as a SWAT Medic, combining his love for EMS and law enforcement.

When he is not at work, Blake enjoys going out with his friends, playing video games, going to the gym, watching television with his wife, Amanda, and playing with his dog, Scottie, and cats, Matlock and Beldar.

Cory Miller has been named a 2022 Star of Life for LifeNet, Inc. in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Cory started his career in EMS after being laid off in 2008 from his job painting airplanes for Cessna.

“Since I was unemployed, the state said I could go to a tech school. I chose EMT school, but I’m not sure why. My dad is a retired police chief and my mom has always worked in the hospital. She was an EMT for a long time,” Cory said.

After finishing the EMT program at Coffeyville Community College, Cory decided to also complete the EMT-Intermediate program at the school.

“When I graduated EMT-I, I started working at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center in the ICU before deciding I wanted to go to Paramedic school,” Cory said. “At the time, I thought I wanted to become a Flight Paramedic. Additionally, I was working as an EMT instructor at the community college when they found out that they had to start a Paramedic class or lose their accreditation. I was one of three Paramedic students in that class.”

In 2013, Cory graduated the Paramedic program and contemplated moving to Dallas, Texas to work as a Paramedic, but he landed in Stillwater, Oklahoma instead.

“I had a bunch of friends attending college at Oklahoma State University, so I stopped here and basically never left,” he said.

Since starting work for LifeNet in November of 2013, Cory has dedicated his career to making a positive difference in the lives of his patients and coworkers.

“I enjoy dealing with the sweet old ladies,” Cory said, when asked to describe his favorite type of call. “I like hearing stories and making conversation with people who have been around for a while. I especially like getting to converse on the way to the hospital with the people who have grown up in Stillwater about how much the town has changed.”

In addition to his EMS certifications, Cory is also a BLS, PALS, and EVOC instructor, and in 2018, he was named a Field Training Officer (FTO).

“I enjoy the FTO position because it allows me to help mold new Paramedics and show them different things. I enjoy the leadership aspect of it,” Cory said.

His advice to others just getting started in EMS is simple: “Never stop studying or learning new things. It’s an ever-evolving career path with new medicines and new technologies.”

Cory was nominated for the Star of Life honor by his peers for his dedication and commitment to the company. His peers describe him as someone who is consistently positive and motivated, and who is always willing to help others in any way he can. His leadership skills are reflected in the countless lives of the team members that he mentors, and the company would not be the same without this guidance.

When he is not at work, Cory enjoys spending time with his family. He married his wife, Heather, in 2016, and they have two daughters, Drew and Rori.

Ronald House has been named a 2022 Star of Life for LifeNet, Inc. in Texarkana, Texas.

Growing up in Hooks, Texas, Ronald was involved in the Boy Scouts.

“That’s what got me into emergency services. I took a first aid and CPR class for the Scouts when I was fifteen that was taught by the Hooks Volunteer Fire Department. They had high school cadets, so I joined the department,” Ronald recalled, talking about his start as a first responder.

A self-proclaimed book- and band-nerd, Ronald graduated in the Top 10 of his class at Hooks High School and headed off to college as a music major.

“I realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do, so I came back and enrolled in criminal justice classes and thought I’d go to work for the FBI. I also took the EMT program for the fire department,” he said.

When he finished the EMT program, he realized he had found his calling. He started at what was then St. Michaels EMS (later LifeNet, Inc.) in Texarkana and immediately enrolled in Paramedic school. He became a Field Training Officer (FTO) a few years later and then ran the quality improvement program for the company for several years.

“I was given the opportunity to manage the communications center for two years, but I quickly realized the position wasn’t for me. I went back out to the field and fell in love with my job again,” he recalled. “Some people want to promote up and be in management. I just wanted to be a Paramedic. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to become a Relief Operations Manager (OM). I did that for a few years. I didn’t like it. I look at my job as a ministry, and I wasn’t able to minister to patients the same way in the OM role.”

Throughout his three-decade career in EMS, Ronald has suffered three burnouts. Each time, he has taken the opportunity to self-reflect and grow as a professional.

“During one of the burnouts, I realized I needed to take a timeout from training everyone else as an FTO and focus on my own education. It’s one thing to teach everyone, but it’s another thing to teach yourself,” he said. “I took a tactical combat casualty care class and the critical care paramedic course. But when a staffing shortage hit a few years ago, I got asked if I would be an FTO again. I said I wouldn’t give more than three months. Doing it again, I fell back in love with it, and I haven’t stopped teaching others since.”

Ronald credits his faith in God for helping him find the passion in both his work life and his marriage.

“The more intense my relationship with God has become, the better my personal relationship with my wife has become. My professional life has changed, too, and I love my job. It’s a terrible job, and you have to see a lot of terrible things. But my job is my purpose, and I think I’m where I’m supposed to be,” Ronald said. “I am able to give and receive at the same time. I’m able to give joy and comfort to folks, and I get lots of laughs. I love the compassion that God has given me. I’m not at this level in my job without it. I feel being a Paramedic is one of my gifts that God has given me. The more I embrace that, the better my job gets.”

Ronald enjoys being an FTO now because it not only helps him grow as he trains others, but it also allows him to instill the right attitude in people just getting started in the career. Part of that attitude is making sure people understand that, no matter the reason why someone has called 911, you have been put in their path that day for a reason.

“We never know how many people we may save just because we were nice. We may feel some of the calls we go on aren’t true emergencies, but we also have to remember, sometimes just by being there, we are the person God used as the answer to avoid their permanent solution for a temporary problem. Every interaction we have with someone, we have an opportunity to provide a simple act of kindness that may prevent them from doing something that day they couldn’t undo,” he said. “Just be nice. It makes such a huge difference.”

Ronald was nominated as a Star of Life by his peers for his dedication to his patients. He is consistently hardworking and kind, and always goes above and beyond to put a smile on his patients’ faces.

Ronald is married to his wife, Samantha, and they have a blended family that includes both grown children and grandchildren. When he is not at work, Ronald enjoys building and tinkering on things, and collecting antique books.

Stacey Himes has been named a 2022 Star of Life for LifeNet, Inc. in Texarkana, Texas.

From an early age, Stacey knew she wanted to work in the medical field, but a personal tragedy in high school lead her to an EMS career.

“I lived two blocks from the fire station, and I watched those guys all the time. On my sixteenth birthday, my best friend was killed in a car wreck. I was planning to be a nurse, but after that, I felt nursing was probably not where I needed to be. I needed to be out there with those guys on the ambulance taking care of people,” Stacey said, recalling how she got started in EMS in the 1980s.

During her senior year at Atlanta High School, Stacey earned her EMT certification and volunteered for the Atlanta Texas Fire Department. During that time, she also earned her Paramedic certification, and in 1994, she hired on with LifeNet.

“My favorite calls in the world were taking grandma home. I made sure she got comfy and had everything she needed before I left that room. I want people treated like they’re my grandma,” Stacey said.

During her early years working in the field, Stacey taught classes to area first responders. She also responded to a wreck that sparked LifeNet’s community education initiative in the 1990s to hold Operation Prom Nights, a program that brought education about the dangers of drinking and driving to schools across LifeNet’s service area. Stacey served as part of the PR event team.

After she became a mother, Stacey needed to adjust her career schedule to balance work and home. That adjustment saw her move into LifeNet’s communications center as a part-time Systems Status Controller (SSC) in 2000. Three years later, she accepted a full-time role in dispatch, bringing the same level of compassion and patient care she was known for in the field to the patients she now helped over the phone.

“On the streets, I loved getting to put a smile on my patient’s face. You never knew when it was going to be the last one. Going into the comm–center was a little bit different. I can’t go out there and touch the patient, but I can tell someone how to take care of the patient,” Stacey said. “In rural areas, I may have a patient on the phone for twenty minutes or longer. They start the call scared and alone. I stay on the phone and comfort them. I tell them, ‘I’m going to be right here with you, and I’m not going to leave you.’ Through the phone, I’m able to hold their hand until the ambulance gets there. By that time, I often have them laughing instead of scared.”

In 2005, Stacey’s husband, Larry, took a job in Cleveland, Ohio, and she left LifeNet. Five years later, she returned to the area and joined the LifeNet family again as an SSC. Since then, she has held various leadership roles, including a lead and a Communications Training Officer.

“I like training new people. It’s furthering my legacy. At one time I helped the patient in the field. Then I was able to get on the phone and help. Now I can say I’ve taught somebody how to tell somebody how to save a life on the phone. It’s another level of reward,” Stacey said. “I tell new employees they are lucky. They get paid to help people. I tell them to sit back and enjoy their job being able to take care of the patients. It is rewarding being able to help people in a situation they wish they never would have been in.”

Stacey was nominated as a Star of Life by her peers and selected by a committee of former Stars of Life at LifeNet, Inc. Her peers describe her as someone who is constantly looking for ways to improve education and to help others. She has an excellent work ethic and is consistently dedicated to her job, encouraging others and boosting morale in the process.

When Stacey isn’t working at LifeNet, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, and her grandbaby.