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Emily Nichols
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American Ambulance Association to Recognize 2025 Award Winners 

Washington, DC—The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to honor the 2025 award recipients at the upcoming President’s Reception, taking place on June 23, 2025, during the AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky. These distinguished honorees embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership crucial to advancing mobile healthcare across the nation.

Affiliate of the Year

• Health Management Associates (HMA): For their continued collaboration and role in advancing meaningful analysis of EMS data, with a special thanks to Zach Gaumer.
  
• Stryker: For their enduring support and commitment to the Stars of Life EMS recognition program and the AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show.

Partnership of the Year

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): For their efforts to gain deeper insight into the complexities and challenges of EMS costs and revenue.
  
• South Carolina EMS Association (SCEMSA): For their development of several innovative state-level programs and their ongoing efforts to strengthen alignment between state and federal advocacy nationwide.

Distinguished Service Award

• Kim Godden, AMBUPAC Chair & former AAA Board Member: For her relentless service and commitment to advancing EMS advocacy.

President’s Award

• Julie Rose, AAA Strategic Planning Committee Chair & former AAA Treasurer: For her unwavering commitment to the AAA, demonstrated through her exceptional leadership and financial expertise.
  
  
• Randy Strozyk, AAA President (2023–2024): For his work in fostering collaboration and unity within the mobile healthcare community.

Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award

• David Werfel: For his lasting impact on the AAA and the EMS profession, built on decades of expert counsel.

EMS Visionary Award

• Asbel Montes, Ground Ambulance Patient and Billing Advisory Committee Chair: For his innovative leadership in EMS policy, highlighted by his service to the AAA board and committees.

Special Recognition Award

• Samantha Hilker, AAA Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives: For her invaluable leadership of the EMS Next mentorship and recognition program, coupled with her strategic, data-driven support of AAA advocacy.
  
  
• Justin Grohs: For his diligent work in advancing EMS advocacy, not only in his home state of Montana, but also at the national level.

Board Service Award

• Paul Main: For his longstanding dedication and exceptional service to the AAA board and membership.

Lifetime Membership

• Jim Finger, Jimmy Johnson, Jim McPartlon, and Jim O’Connor: For their decades of steadfast commitment to mobile healthcare and meaningful contributions to the advancement of the EMS community.
  

About the American Ambulance Association

The American Ambulance Association safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. AAA advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering its members to serve their communities with high-quality on-demand healthcare. For more than 40 years, AAA has proudly represented those who care for people first.

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