Kate Crain has dedicated 23 years to Woodburn Ambulance as a Paramedic and Shift Officer, building a career defined not only by excellent patient care, but also by an extraordinary commitment to her coworkers, her organization, and the EMS profession.

Throughout her career, Kate has worn many hats, always with the goal of making Woodburn Ambulance a better place to work and ensuring crews have the resources and support they need to serve their communities. She has become a trusted resource for employees at all hours, routinely making herself available to resolve fleet and equipment issues, address unexpected scheduling challenges, and find solutions that keep ambulances staffed and operational.

Kate’s willingness to step in whenever a problem arises has made her an invaluable source of support for field crews and organizational leadership alike. Just as importantly, she is a constant advocate and cheerleader for her coworkers. Kate makes a point of recognizing their accomplishments and helping create a workplace culture in which employees feel valued, appreciated, and supported.

Her contributions also extend into the community. Kate has revitalized Woodburn Ambulance’s social media presence, using it to showcase the people behind the organization, highlight the important work being performed throughout the communities it serves, and promote a positive image of EMS. Through these efforts, she has helped the public see not only the professionalism of EMS providers, but also their dedication and humanity.

Kate’s commitment to Woodburn Ambulance extends far beyond any single job description. Whether solving a fleet problem, helping cover a difficult shift, supporting a coworker, celebrating the achievements of her colleagues, or sharing the story of EMS with the community, she consistently puts others and the success of the organization first.

After 23 years of service, Kate continues to demonstrate the leadership, dependability, and generosity that have made her such an important part of Woodburn Ambulance. Woodburn Ambulance is proud to recognize Paramedic Kate Crain as a Star of Life.

Aaron Myers has worked at Woodburn Ambulance Service as a Paramedic since 2016. Aaron has, in a short period of time, established himself as a leader, not only at Woodburn Ambulance but in EMS as a whole.

Aaron is an excellent Paramedic and a perfectionist when it comes to patient care. He has shared his wisdom with Paramedic students, and has trained most of Woodburn’s current staff in the Field Training Program when they were first hired. Although he is thought of by new employees as a tough evaluator, Aaron has raised the bar in patient care and many of his peers continue to aspire to reach his level. As a result, Aaron received Woodburn Ambulance’s 2021 Paramedic of Year Award.

In his short time as a Paramedic and as an employee of Woodburn Ambulance, Aaron has been awarded the position of Shift Officer. Management recognized that, through his own actions and without an official position, Aaron’s peers were already following his lead and often sought out his advice on medical protocols and on company policy. In essence, the employees placed Aaron in a leadership position well before management gave him the title.

In addition to his roles as Shift Officer and Field Training Officer, Aaron has also taken on the job of Chair of the Regional Protocol Committee. His passion for the field of EMS is beyond compare, and he frequently researches new treatment modalities to ensure that the region continues to advance in the field of EMS.

What is possibly most remarkable about Aaron is that he is extremely humble and unassuming. He leads by example and never expects his subordinates to perform any task that he would be unwilling to do, nor perform at a level that he could not attain himself. Because of his leadership success, he has been a trusted advisor to management and a trusted leader for all employees.