A Message from AAA President Randy Strozyk
Contact Congress ►https://www.votervoice.net/Ambulance/…
Annual Conference & Trade Show June 26–28, 2023 in Las Vegas ► https://annual.ambulance.org/
2023 Vanguard Award Winners Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Amanda Riordan
Vice President, Membership
ariordan@ambulance.org
American Ambulance Association Announces Inaugural Vanguard Award Winners
Washington D.C. – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to announce the winners of the inaugural Vanguard Awards. The Vanguards honor those who blazed the trail for fellow women EMS professionals, and the 23 winners represent a diverse group of dedicated individuals who have made significant contributions to mobile healthcare.
“We are thrilled to recognize these trailblazers who have paved the way for women in EMS,” said Randy Strozyk, President of AAA. “Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence have not only elevated their own careers but have also helped to advance the entire profession.”
Lori Burns | National Vice President of Learning, Global Medical Response | Denver, Colorado
Denise Carson | President, Med-Tech EMS | Morrilton, Arkansas
Sherry Carson | President, Monticello Ambulance Service, Inc. | Monticello, Arkansas
Diana Cataldo | Founder/Treasurer, Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc | Middleton, Massachusetts
Cindy Elbert | President, Cindy Elbert Insurance Services, Inc. | Peoria, Arizona
Linda Frederiksen | Executive Director, MEDIC EMS | Davenport, Iowa
Dia Gainor | Executive Director, National Association of EMS Officials (NASEMSO) | Falls Church, Virginia
Debby Gault | Retired/Consultant, AMR | Waterford, Wisconsin
Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill | Medical Director, Los Angeles County EMS Agency | Santa Fe Springs, California
Blanche Hill | Co-Founder, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. | Elmhurst, Illinois
Kristine Kern | Paramedic Professor, San Jacinto College | San Jacinto, Texas
Susan Long | Vice President, Emergency Medical Services, Allina Health EMS | St. Paul, Minnesota
Tracey Loscar | Deputy Director, MatSu Borough EMS | Palmer, Alaska
Pam McBeath | President/ CEO, Balentine Ambulance Service Inc. | Shreveport, Louisiana
Susan McHenry | EMS Director (Retired), State of Virginia | Highlands Ranch, Colorado (Honored Posthumously)
Carol Meyer | Director, Government Relations, McCormick Ambulance | Compton, California
Carol Pafford | Vice President Emeritus, Pafford Medical Services | Hope, Arkansas
Jamie Pafford-Gresham | President/CEO, Pafford Medical Services | Hope, Arkansas
Helen Pierson | Chief Executive Officer, Medic Ambulance | Vallejo, California
Julie Rose | Director of Policy & Advocacy, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. | Ashtabula, Ohio
Lauren Rubinson | Founder and CEO, MedEx Ambulance Service | Skokie, Illinois
Janet Smith | Owner and President, On Assignment | San Diego, California
Debbie Vass | Chief Administrative Officer, Sunstar Paramedics | Largo, Florida
The Vanguard Awards are presented in collaboration with Women in Emergency Services (WiES), a newly-founded organization dedicated to supporting and advancing women’s careers in the emergency services industry through empowerment, networking, mentorship, and education.
The winners will receive complimentary registration to the American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show in Las Vegas on June 26-28, 2023. They will also be recognized at the President’s Reception on the evening of June 27, and their profiles will be featured on the AAA website and social media.
“The Vanguard Awards celebrate the accomplishments of women who have broken down barriers and opened doors for future generations,” said Strozyk. “We are proud to honor their legacy.”
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.
2023 Annual Conference Speakers Wanted!
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2022 AAA Board of Directors Election Results
The winners of the 2022 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. The term for each position will begin on January 1, 2023. For regions 1 and 3, two directors were chosen due to vacant positions. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.
President-Elect
Jamie Pafford-Gresham
Pafford EMS
Hope, AR
Treasurer
Julie Rose
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Ashtabula, OH
Secretary
Wayne Jurecki
Bell Ambulance Service, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI
Region 1 Director – 3 Year Term
Dennis Cataldo
Cataldo Ambulance Service
Somerville, MA
Region 1 Director – 1 Year Term
Mike Addario
Global Medical Response
Baldwinsville, NY
Region 2 Director – 3 Year Term
Chuck Kearns
Mercy Ambulance Service, Inc
Savannah, GA
Region 3 Director – 3 Year Term
Tom Tornstrom
Gundersen Health System-Tri-State Ambulance
La Crosse, WI
Region 3 Director – 1 Year Term
Kyle Wolber
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Winfield, IL
Region 4 Director – 3 Year Term
Allyson Pharr
Acadian Ambulance
Lafayette, LA
Region 5 Director – 3 Year Term
J.D. Fuiten
Metro West Ambulance
Hillsboro, OR
Ethics Committee
Hanan Cohen
Empress EMS
Region 1
Ron Quaranto
Acadian Ambulance
Region 4
2021 AAA Board of Directors Election Results
The winners of the 2021 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. The term for each position will begin on January 1, 2022. In compliance with our updated association bylaws, the candidate who received the most votes in each region will serve a one-time three year term and the candidate with the second most votes will serve a two-year term. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.
Region I
Director (3 year term)
Jim O’Connor
Vice President
Empress EMS
White Plains, NY
Director (2 year term)
Ron Quaranto
Executive Vice President of Operations
Cataldo Ambulance
Somerville, MA
Region II
Director (3 year term)
Terence Ramotar 
Director of Government Affairs- Southeast Region
Global Medical Response
Tampa, FL
Director (2 year term)
Mike Thomas 
Director of Safety & Government Relations
Jan-Care Ambulance
Beckley, WV
Region III
Director (3 year term)
Chris Anderson
Director of Operations
Bell Ambulance, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI
Director (2 year term)
Tom Schmiedeknecht 
Director of Operations / President
Professional Med Team
Muskegon, MI
Region IV
Director (3 year term)
Angie McLain-Johnson
Chief Compliance and Revenue Officer
Pafford EMS
Edmond, OK
Director (2 year term)
Tom Fennell
Regulatory Officer
Mayo Clinic Ambulance
Rochester, MN
Region V
Director (3 year term)
Paul Main
President / General Manager
American Ambulance of Visalia
Visalia, CA
Director (2 year term)
Chris Archuleta
CEO
Superior Ambulance Service, Inc
Albuquerque, NM
Ethics Committee
Allyson Pharr
Acadian Ambulance
Scott Mickelsen
Bell Ambulance, Inc.
Registration Open! Annual & Stars In Texas
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2021 Stars of Life Postponed
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the AAA Board of Directors recently voted to postpone the 2021 Stars of Life event originally scheduled for May. This decision was made regretfully and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our Stars, hosts, and guests. We are truly sorry for this disappointing change of plan. Please stay tuned for additional updates about the program in the coming weeks as we research the feasibility of a hybrid Stars of Life-2021 Annual Conference & Trade Show in Texas in November.
The American Ambulance Association deeply appreciates your continued support and participation, as well as your flexibility as we adapt our programs for the COVID-19 era.
Virtual Conference | All Sessions Available On Demand!
This content is for AAA members only.
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Virtual Conference Keynotes Now On-Demand
This content is for AAA members only.
Please either or Join!
2020 AAA Board of Directors Election Results
The winners of the 2020 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. The term for each position will begin on January 1, 2021. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.
Executive Committee
President-Elect
Randy Strozyk
Senior Vice President- Executive Operations
Global Medical Response
Tukwila, WA
Treasurer
Julie Rose
Chief Executive Officer
Community Care Ambulance
Ashtabula, OH
Secretary
Jamie Pafford-Gresham
President and CEO
Pafford Medical Services
Hope, AR
Region I
Director (2022)
Mike Addario
Vice President of Operations- Northeast
Global Medical Response
Syracuse, NY
Alternate Director
Jim O’Connor
Vice President
Empress EMS
White Plains, NY
Region II
Director (2022)
Chuck Kearns
Chief Executive Officer
Mercy Ambulance Service
Savannah, GA
Alternate Director
Terence Ramotar
Director of Government Affairs
Global Medical Response
Tampa, FL
Region III
Director (2022)
Kim Godden
Vice President- Legal, Government Relations, and Compliance
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Elmhurst, IL
Alternate Director
*Vacant due to term limit*
Region IV
Director (2022)
Asbel Montes (2 years)
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc.
Lafayette, LA
Tom Fennell (1 year)
Compliance Officer
Mayo Clinic Ambulance
Rochester, MN
Alternate Director
David Tetrault
Administrator/Chief Executive Officer
St. Francois County Ambulance District
Farmington, MO
Region V
Director (2022)
JD Fuiten
Owner & President
Metro West Ambulance Service, Inc.
Hillsboro, OR
Alternate Director
Paul Pedersen
Managing Partner
Arizona Ambulance Transport
Sierra Vista, AZ
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Ethics Committee
Allyn Girard (2022)
Golden Cross Ambulance
Region 1
Moises Segovia (2022)
Life Star EMS
Region 4
2020 AAA Virtual Conference—Free to Members!
This content is for AAA members only.
Please either or Join!
2020 AAA Virtual Conference Speaker Session Submission
Although the 2020 AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Ambulance Association remains committed to the continued education and engagement of ambulance service leaders. As such, we plan a series of webinars throughout the year, as well as a Virtual Conference in November.
Please use the form below to share details, including the link to your prerecorded session, for your virtual conference session. Please note that all participating session speakers should pre-record their sessions, and that sessions may be edited for length or quality.
Here are some tips for a great online session!
Thank you for your interest in sharing your knowledge with your EMS colleagues.
All Virtual Annual sessions will take place on the highly interactive Prodigy EMS platform developed by Pro EMS of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
2020 Annual Conference & Trade Show Cancelled
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the American Ambulance Association board has made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Annual Conference & Trade Show. While we were looking forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas in November, health and safety remain our top priority. We also anticipate that travel restrictions will remain in place for many attendees in the Fall and that Las Vegas may still have social distancing guidelines that would limit our ability to host the full program.
The AAA is committed to providing education and networking opportunities to our members and the ambulance industry. Please stay tuned for more information regarding a smaller virtual conference offering and other educational opportunities.
Attendees
All registrations will be canceled and all paid orders will be refunded within 10 business days. If you have already processed payment for your registration, please be on the lookout for an email from AAA staff letting you know that your refund has been submitted. You do not need to do anything to receive a refund, we will process them automatically.
Exhibitors & Sponsors
All payments for exhibit booths and sponsorships will be refunded within 15 business days. Please be on the lookout for an email from AAA staff regarding your refund. We will also follow up with sponsors to share some additional sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the year.
Speakers
If you were scheduled to present at the 2020 Annual Conference, AAA staff will be reaching out to you this week regarding the possibility of presenting your session virtually.
40 Under 40 Honorees
All 2020 40 under 40 honorees will receive automatic complimentary registration to the 2021 Annual Conference & Trade Show, where they will be recognized over the course of next year’s program.
Hotel Reservations
If you booked a hotel room at the MGM Grand through our AAA block your reservation will be automatically cancelled by the hotel in the coming weeks. If you booked outside of our block you will need to contact the hotel directly at (877) 880-0880 to cancel.
We hope to see you at the 2021 Annual Conference & Trade Show November 1–3 at the Gaylord Texan outside Dallas! Registration for the 2021 show will open early in the new year.
Thank you and stay safe!
AMBY Award Nominations Open!
Nominations for the 2020 AMBY Awards close May 15! The AMBYs recognize excellence in the ambulance profession and the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that epitomize AAA members. Winners will are awarded during the AAA Awards Reception at our Annual Conference & Tradeshow, In addition, all entries will be shared with the AAA membership on the website, in the association’s mobile event app and as an online publication.
Annual 2021 Session Submissions Are Now Open!
Please note that all session selections for the AAA 2020 Annual Conference & Trade Show have been made. The full agenda is posted to the #Ambucon20 website. If you are interested in speaking NEXT YEAR in 2021, please complete the form below. Thank you for your support and participation!
AAA 2021 Session Proposals Due January 31, 2021
AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show
November 1–3, 2021
Gaylord Texan | Grapevine, Texas | #Ambucon21
Gaylord Texan | Grapevine, Texas | #Ambucon21
The American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show brings together mobile healthcare leaders from across the country to learn, network, and plan for the future of our industry. AAA Annual is committed to empowering our participants with the insights and best practices they need to serve their patients as well as operate efficiently and profitably.
Speaking at the AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show is your opportunity to share best practices and insights with your peers as you build your personal brand. We invite you to submit your session proposals before January 31, 2021.
Topics
Sample speaking proposal topics considered include, but are not limited to:
- Recruitment, Retention, and Human Resources
- Operations, Risk Management and Safety
- Management and Supervision
- Leadership Development & Structure
- Improved Fleet Maintenance/Management
- Clinical/Quality Assurance Program
- Reimbursement/Patient Accounts
- Innovation, Technology, and Communications
- Emerging Healthcare Trends/Hot Topics
- Healthcare Reform/Public Health
Session Formats & Lengths
AAA is focused on engaging attendees interactively in every session. This year, we are seeking submissions in the following formats:
- 15 Minute Quick Take (similar to TED Talks)
- 50 Minute Sunrise Session (Early morning energizers. These could be a walking session, yoga gathering, coffee-shop meetup, or another creative idea you have to get the day started off right!)
- 50 Minute Lecture or Panel (traditional conference formats)
- 60 Minute Interactive Session (Format ideas to get you thinking.)
Sessions may be either classroom style or set for small workgroups. Audience involvement is encouraged.
Compensation
Please be advised that participation as a presenter is strictly on a voluntary basis. AAA is unable to pay speaker fees or travel and lodging expenses. However, speakers selected for 50- and 60-minute sessions will receive ONE complimentary speaker registration
Proposal Instructions
ALL proposals must be submitted through our online form below by January 31, 2021. AAA is unfortunately unable to consider proposals received after the deadline. Applicants may submit up to three session proposals.
Thank you for your interest in lending your time and talent to the American Ambulance Association’s members. We look forward to reviewing your proposal!
Speak at Annual 2020!
AAA 2020 Session Proposals due January 31, 2020
November 2–4, 2020
MGM Grand | Las Vegas, Nevada
MGM Grand | Las Vegas, Nevada
The American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show brings together mobile healthcare leaders from across the country to learn, network, and plan for the future of our industry. AAA Annual is committed to empowering our participants with the insights and best practices they need to serve their patients as well as operate efficiently and profitably.
Speaking at AAA 2020 is your opportunity to share best practices and insights with your peers as you build your personal brand. We invite you to submit your session proposals before January 31, 2020.
Topics
Sample speaking proposal topics considered for AAA 2020 include, but are not limited to:
- Recruitment, Retention, and Human Resources
- Operations, Risk Management and Safety
- Management and Supervision
- Leadership Development & Structure
- Improved Fleet Maintenance/Management
- Clinical/Quality Assurance Program
- Reimbursement/Patient Accounts
- Innovation, Technology, and Communications
- Emerging Healthcare Trends/Hot Topics
- Healthcare Reform/Public Health
Session Formats & Lengths
In 2020, AAA is focused on engaging attendees interactively in every session. This year, we are seeking submissions in the following formats:
- 15 Minute Quick Take (similar to TED Talks)
- 50 Minute Sunrise Session (Early morning energizers. These could be a walking session, yoga gathering, coffee-shop meetup, or another creative idea you have to get the day started off right!)
- 50 Minute Lecture or Panel (traditional conference formats)
- 60 Minute Interactive Session (Format ideas to get you thinking.)
Sessions may be either classroom style or set for small workgroups. Audience involvement is encouraged.
Compensation
Please be advised that participation as a presenter is strictly on a voluntary basis. AAA is unable to pay speaker fees or travel and lodging expenses. However, speakers selected for 50 and 60 minute sessions will receive ONE complimentary speaker registration
Proposal Instructions
ALL proposals must be submitted through our online form below by January 31, 2020. AAA is unfortunately unable to consider proposals received after the deadline. Applicants may submit up to three session proposals.
Thank you for your interest in lending your time and talent to the American Ambulance Association’s members. We look forward to reviewing your proposal!
2019 AAA Board of Directors Election Results
The winners of the 2019 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.
Region I
Director (2021)
Jim Finger
Chief Executive Officer/ Administrator
Regional Ambulance Service
Rutland, VT
Alternate Director
Reginald Allen
Chief Executive Officer
CHS Mobile Integrated Health Care
Rochester, NY
Region II
Director (2021)
Josef Penner
Executive Director
Mecklenburg EMS Agency – Medic
Charlotte, NC
Alternate Director
Terence Ramotar
Regional Director
American Medical Response
Tampa, FL
Region III
Director (2021)
Wayne Jurecki
Vice President / Chief Operating Officer
Bell Ambulance Service, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI
Alternate Director
Tom Tornstrom
Executive Director
Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance
La Crosse, WI
Region IV
Director (2021)
Jamie Pafford-Gresham
Chief Executive Officer
Pafford Medical Services, Inc.
Hope, AR
Alternate Director
David Tetrault
Administrator/Chief Executive Officer
St. Francois County Ambulance District
Farmington, MO
Region V
Director (2021)
Chris Archuleta
Chief Executive Officer
Superior Ambulance Service, Inc.
Albuquerque, NM
Alternate Director
JD Fuiten
Owner & President
Metro West Ambulance Service, Inc.
Hillsboro, OR