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Author: Emily Nichols

News Release | American Ambulance Association Celebrates 147 EMS Heroes as 2025 Stars of Life

Written by Emily Nichols on . Posted in News, Stars of Life.

October 21, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Emily Nichols
Enichols@ambulane.org

American Ambulance Association to Celebrate 147 EMS Heroes as 2025 Stars of Life

Washington, DC—The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to recognize 147 outstanding emergency medical services professionals as 2025 Stars of Life. These honorees—paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, and mobile healthcare providers—represent the very best of EMS from across the United States.

The 2025 Stars of Life celebration will take place November 3–5, 2025, in Washington, DC. While some honorees will be recognized locally, many will travel to the nation’s capital to receive their awards, share their stories with policymakers, and celebrate the vital work of EMS. 

In addition to the Stars, Senator Susan Collins of Maine will be recognized as the 2025 AAA Legislator of the Year. The AAA will also honor eight Senators and seventeen Representatives with Legislative Recognition Awards for their ongoing support of mobile healthcare and the EMS profession.

Together, these 147 individuals embody the spirit of service and commitment that defines EMS—saving lives, strengthening communities, and inspiring others through their dedication.

This year’s distinguished Stars of Life honorees are:

Jennifer Aguilar, Operations Lead, Superior Mobile Health, San Antonio, TX
Kayla Alderman, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Sunstar Paramedics, Largo, FL
Mark Allen, Paramedic, EMSA, TULSA, OK
Zoe Allison, Sergeant, Paramedic, & Field Training Officer, Metropolitan EMS, Little Rock, AR
Anthony Arrigo, Operations Manager – Paramedic, Kunkel Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Utica, NY
Domingo Barboa, Emergency Medical Technician, Cascade Ambulance, Bellingham, WA
Carlos Bautista, Base Aviation Manager & Fixed Wing Pilot, EagleMed, Dodge City, KS
Emma Beaupre, Field Operations Manager, Armstrong Ambulance Service, Arlington, MA
Jonathan Bell, Paramedic, Metropolitan EMS, Little Rock, AR
Kathleen Benoit, Paramedic , Cataldo Ambulance Service, Somerville, MA
Cortney Bloxham, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Pafford Medical Services, Inc., Stigler, OK
Scott Bodien, GIS Analyst Communications, Mecklenburg EMS Agency, Charlotte, NC
Kandice Bogatz, Paramedic, Northwell Emergency Medical Services, Syosset, NY
Andre Joel Bower, Critical Care Paramedic, LifeCare Medical Transports, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Fredericksburg, VA
Robert Brengartner, Emergency Medical Technician, Hall Ambulance, Bakersfield, CA
Richard Byerwalters, District Chief, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Schenectady, NY
Alison Cagle, Emergency Medical Technician, Acadian Ambulance, Lafayette, LA
Nathan Cagna, Emergency Medical Technician, Huron Valley Ambulance, Ann Arbor, MI
Jeremy Capps, Emergency Medical Technician, Hall Ambulance, Bakersfield, CA
Larry Christian, EMT-Basic, Seals Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Indianapolis, IN
Timothy Clark, Paramedic, Rescue, Inc., Brattleboro, VT
Hugh Coley, Emergency Medical Technician, Northwell Emergency Medical Services, Syosset, NY
Jason Cooke, Vice President of Operations, Medshore Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Anderson, SC
Chris Crawford, Paramedic Field Training Officer, American Medical Response, Portland, OR
Naomi Crittendon, Emergency Medical Technician, Olympic Ambulance, Tacoma, WA
Talitha Crowe, Emergency Medical Technician, American Medical Response , Temple, TX
Nathanael Day, Flight Nurse & Paramedic, EagleMed , Wichita, KS
Krystal Daymonde, Paramedic & Patient Field Instructor, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network, Meriden, CT
Courtney De Weese, Supervisor & Paramedic, Life EMS Ambulance, Grand Rapids, MI
Trish Dickerson, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Pafford Medical Services, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK
Sergey Dobrinin, Critical Care Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Bell Ambulance, Inc., Milwaukee, WI
Rudy Drago, Dispatch Lead, River Medical, Lake Havasu City, AZ
Aaron Durette, Paramedic Field Training Officer, American Medical Response, West Hartford, CT
Arianne Emling, Flight Nurse – Base Clinical Lead, Air Evac Lifeteam, Marion, IL
Jimi Estrada-Velazquez, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Riverside, CA
Tom Felter, Paramedic and Station Manager, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana, Hebron, IN
Marc Flores, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Abilene, TX
Tyler Ford, Paramedic, REACT EMS, Shawnee, OK
Kara Fox, Chief Administrative Officer, Ute Pass Regional Ambulance District, Woodland Park, CO
Neil Frame, Operations Director, Metro-Area Ambulance Service, Mandan, ND
Eric Friedell, EMT Communications Coordinator, Northwell Emergency Medical Services, Syosset, NY
Will Gardam, Captain, Paramedic, Spirit EMS, Greenville, OH
Rusty Gilbert, Paramedic, Pafford EMS of Louisiana, Ruston, LA
Kenny Glimme, Flight Paramedic, REACH, Oceanside, CA
Aaron Goodloe, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Kansas City, KS
Alex Gossett, Paramedic, Puckett EMS, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Rockmart, GA
Dylan Graves, Lead Paramedic – Field Training Officer, American Medical Response, Keizer, OR
Terry Gray, Emergency Medical Technician – Crew Chief, American Medical Response, Puyallup, WA
Rachelle Hallett, Critical Care Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
John  Harding, Assistant Supervisor, Paramedic, Mayo Clinic Ambulance, Rochester, MN
Carol Harper, Administrative Assistant, Frontier Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Fremont County, WY
Jeanine Hasenkopf, Chief Supervisor Dispatch, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Schenectady, NY
Jayeah Haske, Dispatch Supervior, Life EMS Inc., Enid, OK
Shelby Hawkins, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Southern Paramedic Services, Brinkley, AR
Brian Heisz, Paramedic, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance, La Crosse, WI
Charles Henley, Emergency Medical Technician, On-Duty Supervisor, Pafford Medical Services, Inc., Quitman County, MS
Connor Holt, Paramedic, Shoals Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Jefferson County, AL
Athena Hopkins, Paramedic & On-Duty Supervisor, Pafford Medical Services, Inc., Rogers County, OK
Ryan Horowitz, Dispatch Manager, Falck USA, Orange, CA
Julie Humes, Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam, MaComb, IL
Braxton Impson, Paramedic, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS, Baton Rouge, LA
Zachary Jahnke, Paramedic, Life EMS Ambulance, Grand Rapids, MI
Jeremy Jaime, Paramedic, Falck USA, Alameda, CA
Louann Jarreau, Communications Supervisor, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS, Baton Rouge, LA
Stacy Jensen, Critical Care Paramedic, M Health Fairview / HealthEast, St. Paul, MN
Christopher Jerrell, Assistant Operations Supervisor, Mecklenburg EMS Agency, Charlotte, NC
Jeff Kaufman, Director of Logistics & Mobility, PatientCare EMS Solutions, Sioux Falls, SD
Daryl Kennedy, Field Training Officer, Advanced Life Systems, Spokane, WA
Joseph Ketcham, Paramedic Supervisor, MedicWest, North Las Vegas, NV
Stacy Kohn, Captain, Friendswood EMS, League City, TX
Eric Korneffel, Critical Care Paramedic, Northwell Health, Syosset, NY
Jason Lambeth, Emergency Medical Technician, Sinor EMS, Butler, OK
Katie Leland, Training and Education Captain, Ute Pass Regional Ambulance District, Woodland Park, CO
Josh Lewis, Supervisor / Paramedic, Life EMS Ambulance, Grand Rapids, MI
Antony Lockwood, Paramedic Shift Supervisor, Regional Ambulance Service, Rutland, VT
Paul Lopez, Dispatch Manager, Falck USA, Los Angeles, CA
P.J. Lowe, Emergency Medical Technician Advanced, American Medical Response, Jackson, MS
Matt Magiera, Paramedic, Medstar EMS, Summerdale, AL
Samantha Mahan, Paramedic , Cataldo Ambulance Service, Somerville, MA
Dave Martens, EMS Educator, Gundersen Lutheran MedLink AIR, La Crosse, WI
Mathew Matouk, Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois, Elmhurst, IL
Eva Matyus-Bailey, Paramedic, Pafford EMS of Mississippi, Brandon, MS
Caleb McDougal, Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician , Southern Paramedic Service , Brinkley, AR
Beau McFarlin, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Marion, IL
Daniel McIntosh, Supervisor, Lakes Region EMS, North Branch, MN
Alyssa McMullen, Paramedic, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Schenectady, NY
Alexander Megquier, Paramedic, American Medical Response,  West Hartford, CT
Osvaldo Michel, Emergency Medical Technician, Hall Ambulance, Bakersfield, CA
William Miles, Paramedic, Hall Ambulance, Bakersfield, CA
Douglas Milks, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Angola, NY
Ashley Miranda, Emergency Medical Technician, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network, Meriden, CT
Dillon Misenheimer, Paramedic, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS, Baton Rouge, LA
Edmund Moreshead, Paramedic, North East Mobile Health, Scarborough, ME
Magen Morris, Paramedic – Special Events Administrative Supervisor, MedicWest, North Las Vegas, NV
Jon Mullaly, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Armstrong Ambulance Service, Arlington, MA
Gheorghe Munteanu, Emergency Medical Technician, Action Ambulance Service, Inc., Wilmington, MA
Holly Nasello, Paramedic, Life Line, Prescott, AZ
Andrew Natoli, Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Medic Ambulance Service Inc., Sonoma, CA
Daniel Norfleet, Operations Manager – Paramedic, First Call Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Clarksville, TN
Thomas Elliot Owen, Paramedic & Field Supervisor, Magnolia Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Forest, MS
John Pagonis, Emergency Medical Technician, Northwell Emergency Medical Services, Syosset, NY
Shrey Patel, Paramedic Supervisor, Hall Ambulance, Bakersfield, CA
Aaron Pearce, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Sunstar Paramedics, Largo, FL
Jonathan Penick, Emergency Medical Technician, EMSA, TULSA, OK
Trey Phillips, Flight Nurse – Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Snellville, GA
Mark Powers, Emergency Medical Technician – Field Training Officer, Community Care Ambulance Network, Ashtabula, OH
Tarun Prajapati, Critical Care Transport Nurse, MedEx Ambulance, SKOKIE, IL
Rick Pringle, Paramedic – Field Training Officer, American Medical Response , Temple, TX
Julie Purick, Critical Care Paramedic, American Medical Response, Rochester, NY
Gerardo Ramirez, Paramedic, Falck USA, San Diego, CA
Emma Reyes, Emergency Medical Technician, Action Ambulance Service, Inc., Wilmington, MA
Dana Rhoades, Emergency Medical Technician, Action Ambulance Service, Inc., Wilmington, MA
LeAnn Riley, EMS & Fire Dispatcher, American Medical Response, Modesto, CA
Ryan Rizen, Clinical Education Manager, American Medical Response, Evansville, IN
Katelyn Roberts, Manager of EMS Operations, REMSA Health, Reno, NV
Jess Robins, Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Medic Ambulance Service Inc., Vallejo, CA
Darrell Rohe, Critical Care Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Lakes Region EMS, North Branch, MN
Daniel Rooney, 911 Supervisor, Maricopa Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC, Maricopa County, AZ
Samantha Sabol, Paramedic – Field Training Officer, American Medical Response, Temple, TX
Joannie Sanchez, Flight Nurse, Acadian Ambulance, Lafayette, LA
Sara Sanders, Emergency Medical Technician, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Schenectady, NY
Missy Satterfield, Flight Nurse – Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Abilene, TX
Joseph Sisneros, Paramedic, Del Norte Ambulance, Crescent City, CA
Jamon Smith, Director of Training, Gold Cross Services, Salt Lake City, UT
Christopher Spilde, Clinical Manager, Woodburn Ambulance Service, Woodburn, OR
Mark Staley, Paramedic, Operations Manager, Pafford Medical Services, Inc., Chicot & Drew Counties, AR
Morgan Stanley, Emergency Medical Technician , American Medical Response , Independence, MO
Jason Staszko, Medical Director, Bell Ambulance, Inc., Milwaukee, WI
Jonathan Stocker, Critical Care Transport Paramedic, Superior Mobile Health, San Antonio, TX
Doug Struble, EMS District Chief, Mercy Ambulance Service, Inc., Savannah, GA
Sarah Stump, Director of CDST, Spirit EMS, Greenville, OH
Samantha Sukel, System Controller & Emergency Medical Technician, Emergent Health Partners, Ann Arbor, MI
Tristan Tomlins, Paramedic, Medic Ambulance Service Inc., Vallejo, CA
Jonathan Tseng, QA/QI Specialist, Falck USA, Orange, CA
Corey Tucker, Mechanic, Century Ambulance, Orange Park, FL
Stone Volkmer, Paramedic – Field Training Officer, Community Care Ambulance Network, Ashtabula, OH
Julianna Wadsworth, Paramedic, Olympic Ambulance, Poulsbo, WA
Adam Wagh, Communications Center Manager., Superior Mobile Health, San Antonio, TX
Parker Wallace, Crew Chief & Field Training Officer, Mecklenburg EMS Agency, Charlotte, NC
Michelle Walsh, Advanced Scope Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio, Lancaster, OH
April Weisler, Paramedic, Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service, Ardmore, OK
Alisha Welicki, Paramedic and North Operations Manager, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan,  Sterling Heights, MI
Melissa White, Basic Life Support Lead, Metropolitan EMS, Little Rock, AR
Dustin Williams, Assistant Manager Critical Care Transport & Manager of Ground Organ Transport, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois, Schaumburg, IL
Dustin Wilson, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Stockton, CA
Ryan Zavada, Critical Care Paramedic, Advanced Medical Transport, Peoria, IL
Brannen Zilka, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Concord, CA

 

Please note that members of the media are welcome to attend the Stars of Life Banquet at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill hotel on November 4, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 pm. Interviews with Stars of Life will be available.

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About The American Ambulance Association

Caring for People—First.

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



American Ambulance Association to Recognize 2025 Award Winners

Written by Emily Nichols on . Posted in Awards, News, Press.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Emily Nichols
enichols@ambulance.org

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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