Christopher Spilde excels at providing excellent and compassionate care to patients in his community and is equally committed to fostering this same standard of care among his peers.

With approximately 28 years of service in Emergency Medical Services, nearly half of them within the Metro West family of companies, Christopher has become a trusted leader and mentor. At Woodburn Ambulance, he consistently demonstrated his commitment to EMS by mentoring others, even before holding formal leadership roles. Colleagues frequently sought his guidance to improve their performance and deepen their operational understanding.

Because of his dedication to supporting others, Christopher quickly advanced through the ranks at Woodburn Ambulance. He has served as a Field Training Officer and Shift Officer, and today he holds the role of Clinical Manager while also leading the company’s Quality Assurance Program. In addition, Christopher regularly contributes as an instructor, teaching classes for local first responders.

His unwavering dedication, wealth of experience, and commitment to excellence embody the very spirit of the Stars of Life award. Christopher’s impact on Woodburn Ambulance and the citizens it serves is both deep and lasting. Woodburn Ambulance is proud to recognize him as a Star of Life.

Daniel Neazor has been a Paramedic with Woodburn Ambulance since 2006. Over the years, Daniel has developed into a key member of the organization, serving as a mentor and leader to countless new Medics entering the field. His commitment to constant improvement of the care given in the field is unmatched. 

This past year, Daniel has spearheaded new relationships between Woodburn Ambulance and many local law enforcement agencies to add Naloxone to the officers’s patrol units. Daniel has personally trained dozens of police officers in the region, resulting in several documented saves. He also teaches leadership to EMS students in our local community college.

Prior to joining Woodburn Ambulance, Daniel served as an Infantryman and Combat Life Safety Instructor in the New Zealand Army. He did two tours with the UN in East Timor, followed by several months as a private contractor in Afghanistan providing security services to the fledgling government.

When not on duty, Daniel enjoys family time in the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.

Woodburn Ambulance Service is proud to recognize Daniel as a 2019 Star of Life.

Liz is one of those colleagues we all know and love who live and breathe EMS and community service. After beginning a career as a licensed dental assistant took a required CPR class and caught the EMS bug. In the early 1980’s Liz took a Basic EMT class in the basement of Wollowa Memorial Hospital and her passion for lifesaving was off and running. Throughout her career, Liz has found a way to put her enthusiasm and commitment to excellent use. She has served as a paramedic and EMS manager in extremely rural northeastern Oregon, and as a Captain firefighter/paramedic in Central Oregon. These roles gave her excellent experience which she has put to use as an EMS educator and community college EMT program director. Liz spent 15 years working in the Oregon State EMS office in roles including Prehospital standards, rules promulgation, and trauma system oversight. Even while taking on these many roles, Liz has continued doing what she truly loves, using her paramedic license to provide care in the field with Jefferson County Emergency Medical Services. Liz has recently taken on the role of Chief and will be putting that experience and community spirit to great use as she guides her EMS agency forward. She is absolutely a “Star of Life”.”

Don began his career in the 1970’s as a volunteer with the Madras, Oregon ambulance service where he obtained his EMT certificate. In 1980 Don began working for Metro West Ambulance and earned his paramedic license in 1984. He continued his EMS career eventually moving back to Madras where he spent countless hours serving his community, eventually becoming Chief of Jefferson County Emergency Medical Services. Even while working actively in EMS as a paramedic, manager, and volunteer EMS educator, Don took on the added role of volunteer reserve police officer for both the Madras Police Department and Jefferson County Sherriff ‘s Office. In 2013, at the peak of his professional life, Don was doing one of his favorite activities, riding his motorcycle, when he was struck by a vehicle and killed. Thousands of lives have been touched by Don throughout his career. Don exemplified the qualities of a true “Star of Life”