Jorge Garcia, an Emergency Medical Technician at Umpqua Valley Ambulance, joined the EMS profession in 2019. He is currently completing Paramedic School, furthering his passion for caring for his community—a passion he has nurtured from a young age. Initially finding his calling as a Pastor in his church, Jorge later expanded his service to the medical field, where he continues to make a significant impact.

In addition to his EMT career and paramedic studies, Jorge remains active in his church, volunteers with his local Fire Department, and enjoys experimenting with cooking. He’s particularly famous among friends and colleagues for his habanero chicken mac and cheese.

Jorge is recognized by his supervisor and peers as a spirited, intellectual individual who consistently goes above and beyond to provide exceptional care and comfort to his patients. He lives by the personal motto: “A mission given is a mission complete.”

Jorge’s dedication to his profession and his community has made him an invaluable asset to Umpqua Valley Ambulance. The company is proud to nominate Jorge Garcia as a 2024 Star of Life, honoring his commitment, compassion, and unwavering love for EMS.

Cyndy Cain is Umpqua Valley Ambulance’s first EMT nomination for the Star of Life. She is a shining example of Servant Leadership and we are lucky to have her. There is no one here more dedicated to the care and service of others. Whether it is taking care of patients, family, or other crew members; she always puts others first. With a smile on her face, she brightens the room. Her cheery disposition and baked goods, which she brings in for all the employees, uplift our hearts and feed our souls. Not only does she maintain her infectious sunny disposition every day, but she will call you out when you are wrong and always stands up for anyone who needs a hand. We are lucky to have such a shining star as Cyndy, which is why we think she is the perfect person to represent our EMTs at the Star of Life this year.

These were the words that represented Cynthia Cain for the 2019 Star of Life, she was one of two of our employees nominated. Due to COVID the Star of Life was postponed. In the following months Cyndy was diagnosed as terminal. Cyndy never stopped being our shining example and could not do anything but put others first. When the AAA and our company’s Owner heard that Cyndy would not be able to make it to a future Star of Life, they got together and came to Umpqua Valley Ambulance to present Cyndy with the Star of Life. Cyndy had shared with me through tears of joy that she had never felt so honored, but even then, she did not recognize that she earned this honor through her daily commitment to others. She stayed working at Umpqua Valley Ambulance until the pain would not let her continue. She told me she saw our company as extended family and there was no where she felt more at home and nothing she liked more than helping people in their time of need. She often still stopped by just to see how we were doing and to bring in baked goods, which she would continue to do for as long as she was able. She worked diligently to make sure her Mother, Sister, and Nephew were taken care of when she was gone. Even while she was transitioning into the last days of her life she worried about their futures and put them first. She not only showed us how to live each day with happiness and love in your heart, she also showed us all how to leave this world a better place. She made our world a better place every day and set an example for all of us to follow. To honor Cyndy and all those like her in the world we need to keep a cheery disposition in our hearts and as Roy Bennett best put it “Help others without any reason and give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.” Thank you Cyndy for all that you have done for us.  

Lukas Robinson joined Umpqua Valley Ambulance as a full-time Paramedic eight years ago. He began his career in EMS when he earned his paramedic and fire science degrees at Umpqua Community College. Throughout his career with Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Lukas has developed an outstanding approach to EMS and earned tremendous respect from his colleagues. In addition to his 911 response duties as a Paramedic, Lukas is a Field Training Officer and assures that future generations of medics are able to provide high-quality care and response to patient needs.

During the wildfire season in the western United States, Lukas serves as a Fire Ambulance Paramedic, operating in remote and difficult conditions. Lukas is always willing to go above and beyond to help out his coworkers.

Lukas has a wife and two boys. During his time off, he enjoys hunting and riding ATVs and UTVs at the coast. He was recently awarded Paramedic of the Year by his coworkers for his dedication and outstanding service.

Umpqua Valley Ambulance salutes Lukas Robinson as our Star of Life!

Prior to moving to Roseburg, Oregon, Bob Wilkinson worked in Virginia for Richmond Ambulance Authority where he completed a certificate in Paramedicine. Bob has served Douglas County, Oregon since 2005, beginning as an EMT with WEST Ambulance in Roseburg while working on an Oregon Paramedic license. A few years later, Douglas County Fire District #2 purchased the EMS division. Currently, Bob is a Paramedic with Umpqua Valley Ambulance in Roseburg.

Over the years, Bob has taken on the role of a quiet, behind the scenes leader. He is always looking for new ways to keep busy, such as volunteering as a Child Safety Seat Technician and teaching part-time for the local Paramedic program as an instructor for Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events and for High Threat Techniques and Tactics. Bob is passionate about the physical and mental health of his crews, and thus also regularly volunteers as a crisis intervention PEER counselor.

On October 1, 2010, Douglas County public safety entities were put to the test when an active shooter threatened the local community college. The mass casualty incident gave Bob the opportunity to analyze the procedures and consider ways in which his crews could improve their response. According to Bob, “EMS is one of the most dangerous service jobs out there. We interact with the public usually during some of the most stressful times of their lives.” As a result, he is working to provide crew members with body armor to use in high-stress situations, as well as to increase training on situational awareness.

Bob has been married for 31 years and has three children. He spends most summers with his parents in Alaska, where he was born and raised. When he is not working on one of his worn-out vehicles, Bob enjoys fishing and reloading. Prior to his career in EMS, Bob worked as a baker and pastry chef, and recently made his daughter’s wedding cake.