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News Release | EMS Heroes Honored in Washington, DC as 2024 Stars of Life

Written by Amanda Riordan on . Posted in AAA HQ, News, Press, Stars of Life.

November 14, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amanda Riordan
703-615-4492
ariordan@ambulance.org

EMS Heroes Honored in Washington, DC as 2024 Stars of Life

Washington, DC—This week, the American Ambulance Association (AAA) recognized extraordinary EMS professionals during the annual Stars of Life celebration. 143 individuals from across the United States were honored as the 2024 Stars at the November 11–13 event.

Stars of Life pays tribute to the dedication of these hometown heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare safety net. During their time in our nation’s capital, the Stars received medallions and awards in thanks for their lifesaving and life-sustaining service. The Stars, accompanied by their families and executive hosts, met with members of Congress and congressional aides to discuss policy issues critical to emergency medical services. In recognition of Veterans Day on November 11, special recognition was afforded to Stars with a military or reserves background.

In addition to the Stars, Representative Brad Finstad of Minnesota and Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington were recognized as Legislators of the Year, and 9 United States Senators and 16 Representatives received Legislative Recognition Awards for their support of mobile healthcare. Retiring Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan was honored with the inaugural EMS Legacy Award.

American Ambulance Association President Randy Strozyk noted that, “EMS professionals work around-the-clock to deliver out-of-hospital care when it is needed most.” He continued, “We honor this year’s Stars of Life and thank them for their tireless service to local communities across the nation.”

This year’s distinguished Stars of Life honorees are:

Frank Alba, Critical Care Paramedic, Field Training Officer, American Medical Response (Kansas City, KS)
Johan Alvarado, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam (Laredo, TX)
Aubree Arneson, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Cal-Ore Life Flight (Brookings, OR)
Adam Aronberg, Paramedic, Northwell Health System Center for EMS (Norwalk, NY)
Glenn Arremony, Operations Manager, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network (Lisbon, CT)
Robyn Asher, Training Administrator & Quality Assurance Manager, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
Krystal Barboza, Community Outreach Coordinator, Hall Ambulance Service  (Bakersfield, CA)
Keone Bareng, Paramedic Supervisor, Life EMS Ambulance (West Olive, MI)
Henry Barsh, Emergency Medical Technician, American Medical Response (Philadelphia, DC)
John Basile, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana (Highland, IN)
Jason Baum, Paramedic Supervisor, Falck – San Diego (Escondido, CA)
Alec Belau, Field Training Officer, Paramedic, Maricopa Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Scottsdale, TN)
Antoine Berenger, Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician, Rural Metro Fire (Gilbert, AZ)
Samantha Blackwell, Paramedic, Acadian Ambulance (Converse, LA)
Cornelius Brady, Chief Strategy Officer, VMSC Emergency Medical Services (Lansdale, PA)
Spencer Brittain, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Life EMS  (Enid, OK)
Gregg Bulman, Paramedic , Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Dorchester, WI)
Jade Calvin, Critical Care Paramedic, Bell Ambulance, Inc. (Waukesha, WI)
Jeremiah Capps, Operations Manager, Superior Mobile Health (Converse, TX)
Josh Cavaness, Flight Paramedic, EagleMed/Med-Trans Corp. (Chanute, KS)
Emily Chandler, EMS Programs Manager & Program Director, NCTI of Massachusetts, American Medical Response (Duxbury, MA)
Cassandra Clark, Paramedic Supervisor, Medix Ambulance Service Inc. (Vancouver , OR)
Eric Constantine, Operations Manager – Sonoma County, Medic Ambulance Service Inc. (Santa Rosa, CA)
Jason Cooke, Vice President of Operations, Medshore Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Darlington, SC)
Bernard Cote, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Rescue Inc. (Newfane, VT)
Janiece Cox, Critical Care Paramedic/911 Contract Manager, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana (Valparaiso, IN)
Brandi Crist, Paramedic, Metropolitan EMS (Bigelow, AR)
Andrew Davalos, Paramedic , American Medical Response (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Dwight Derby, Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Life Systems, Inc. (Selah, WA)
Michael Dobrosky, Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio (Genoa, OH)
Dianna Drake, Emergency Medical Technician & Field Training Officer, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network (Meriden, CT)
Nate Dutt, Paramedic, Sanford Ambulance (Fargo, ND)
Amie Ebarb, Emergency Medical Technician, Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service (Ardmore, OK)
Riggs Egolf, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Hampton, VA)
Yahya Elshawarbi, Emergency Medical Technician, Falck USA (Hayward, CA)
Steve Emery, Emergency Medical Technician, Seals Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Indianapolis, IN)
Aidan Enders, Paramedic Chief Supervisor, Mohawk Ambulance Service (Delanson, NY)
Juvencio Estrada, Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam (Laredo, TX)
William Fisher, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam (Walnut Ridge, MO)
Jason Florance, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Overbrook, KS)
Eric Foell, Training Officer, Regional Ambulance Service, Inc. (Tinmouth, VT)
Robert Ford, Emergency Medical Technician, LifeNet Inc. – Oklahoma (Stillwater, OK)
Josh Frierson, Operations Manager, Lifenet, Inc – Texas (Wake Village, TX)
Jorge Garcia, Emergency Medical Technician, Umpqua Valley Ambulance (Roseburg, OR)
Hope Garrison, Operations Manager, LifeNet, Inc. – Arkansas (Royal, AR)
Craig Gesterling, Shift Commander & Paramedic , Sunstar Paramedics (St Petersburg, SD)
Taylor Gibson, Assistant Supervisor – Emergency Communications, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service (Rochester , MN)
Jacob Gilmore, Emergency Medical Technician, Mohawk Ambulance Service (Burnt Hills, NY)
Wayne Gooding, Community Paramedic, Emergent Health Partners (Jackson, MI)
Jessup Grogan, Sergeant & Emergency Medical Technician, Metropolitan EMS (Little Rock, AR)
Kenneth Guzman, Paramedic, Northwell Health System Center for EMS (Farmingville, NY)
Diamond Hall, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois (Oak Park, IL)
Morgan Halliburton, Emergency Medical Technician, ProMed Ambulance (Maynard, AR)
Scotland Hamlin, Field Training Officer, Emergency Medical Technician, American Medical Response (Orlando, FL)
Kayleen Harding, Emergency Medical Technician, Frontier Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Fort Washakie, WY)
Josh Harrington, Assistant Supervisor & Paramedic , Sunstar Paramedics (Tampa, FL)
John Hathaway, Emergency Medical Technician, Spirit Medical Transport, LLC (Greenville, OH)
Robert Hatzikonstantis, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Armstrong Ambulance Service ( Arlington, MA)
William Hehn, Jr., Air Communications Specialist, REMSA Health (Reno, NV)
Jason Henry, Fire Captain Paramedic, Rural Metro Fire (Mesa, AZ)
Kylend Hetherington, Paramedic, Medstar Ambulance (Auburn, MI)
Jon Hibbard, Paramedic Supervisor, Action Ambulance Service, Inc. (Tuftonboro, MA)
Timothy Hinchcliff, Managing Director, Burholme Emergency Medical Services (Philadelphia, PA)
Jason Hodges, Operations Supervisor, Honor Guard Commander, American Medical Response (Wilsonville, OR)
Royce Hsiung, EMT-IV Tech, Lakes Region EMS (North Branch, MN)
Alan Hughry, Paramedic , Medic Ambulance Service Inc. (Vallejo, CA)
Kristen Hunter, Emergency Medical Technician Supervisor, Action Ambulance Service, Inc. (Southboro, MA)
Heather James, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician , American Medical Response (Lagrange, GA)
Lillie Jamison, Supervisor and Compliance Specialist, Baptist Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Nesbit, TN)
Steve Jaskot, Community Paramedic, Emergent Health Partners (Chelsea, MI)
Brian Keith, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Wisconsin (Oshkosh, WI)
David Kingdon, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Wailuku, HI)
Alissa Krisher, Critical Care Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Wisconsin (New London, WI)
Daniel Laguna, Area Float Pilot, REACH (North Salt Lake, UT)
Matthew Lambert, Paramedic, Lifeguard Ambulance Service (Florence, AL)
Carla Landrum, Field Training Officer, Puckett EMS, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Buchanan, GA)
Miki Leslie, Emergency Medical Technician, Field Training Officer, American Medical Response (White Swan, WA)
William Loftus-Rooney, Emergency Medical Technician, Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.  (Holyoke , MA)
George Lombardo, EMS Training & Safety Manager, Superior Mobile Health (Kirby, TX)
Patti Ludvig McCartney, Integrated Care Paramedic, Life EMS Ambulance (Portage, MI)
Eric Lumpkin, Dispatch Supervisor – Quality Assurance & Training, Central EMS, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Dacula, GA)
Don Marr, Paramedic, Bay Cities Ambulance (Coos Bay, OR)
James Martin, Critical Care Paramedic, Pafford EMS (Tulsa, OK)
Maurice Matthews, Critical Care Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan (Berkley, MI)
Amanda McQuistian, Director Of Operations, LifeCare Medical Transports, Priority Ambulance (Fredericksburg, VA)
Alyssa Meier, Emergency Medical Technician, Life Line Ambulance (Prescott, AZ)
Eli Melamed, Paramedic, Life Line Ambulance (Prescott Valley, AZ)
Shelly Miller, Revenue Cycle Manager, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Concord, NC)
Loren Mitchell, Operations Supervisor , Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Waterloo , WI)
Michael Mitchell, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois (Yorkville, IL)
Kevin Moore, Paramedic, Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.  (Newburyport, MA)
Amber Munch, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS (Baton Rouge, LA)
Scott Munoz, Critical Care Paramedic, Missoula Emergency Services (Frenchtown, MT)
Adam Mysona, Emergency Medical Technician, Falck – Colorado (Lakewood, CO)
Philip Neff, Field Training Officer, Falck – Southern California (La Palma, CA)
Shellaine Novak, Clinical Services Director, PatientCare EMS (Sioux Falls, SD)
Stacy Omdahl, Emergency Medical Technician, LifeCare EMS (Roseau, MN)
Megan Overbeck, Paramedic, Abbott EMS (Decatur, IL)
Michael Penna, Critical Care Transport Registered Nurse, American Medical Response (Grand Terrace, CA)
Jon Jakob Peterson, Paramedic, Sanford Ambulance (Fargo, ND) (POSTHUMOUS)
Lori Peterson, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Medstar Ambulance (Shelby Twp, MI)
Emily Robillard, Emergency Communications Officer , East Baton Rouge Parish EMS (New Roads, LA)
Kevin Rochford, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Temple, TX)
Brian Rogers, Advanced Scope Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio (Ontario, OH)
Daniel Schaefer, Chief of Operations, Metro-Area Ambulance Service (Mandan , ND)
Madison Schatzer, Paramedic, McClain-Grady County EMS (Moore, OK)
Mark Schiltz, Emergency Medical Technician, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Caledonia, WI)
Ryan Schott, Field Training Officer, Paramedic Crew Chief, & Tactical Paramedic, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Charlotte, NC)
Joe Scott, Paramedic Shift Leader, Medix Ambulance Service Inc. (Warrenton , OR)
Allison Sharp, Paramedic, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS (Baton Rouge, LA)
Faith Shuff, Paramedic Field Supervisor, National EMS, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Oxford, TN)
Nicole Silver, Paramedic, Northwell Health System Center for EMS (Staten Island, NY)
Dale Simmons, EMS Program Administrator, Mercy Ambulance Service, Inc. (Savannah, GA)
Lance Smeal, Field Training Officer, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, American Medical Response (Lockport, NY)
Chad Smith, Director of Operation Support, Kunkel Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Mohawk, TN)
Robin Smith, Training Administrator, First Call Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Nashville, TN)
Thomas Smith, Communications Manager, EMSA (Tulsa, OK)
Raquel Soto, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Newington, CT)
Jason Southard, Operations Supervisor, American Medical Response (Tucson, AZ)
Allen Steele, Emergency Medical Technician, Guardian Ambulance Service, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Darlington, SC)
Savannah Steele Welch, Field Supervisor, Paramedic, Acadian Ambulance (West Monroe, LA)
Ambrose Stevens, Operations Manager, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Redding, CA) (POSTHUMOUS)
Dalton Stewart, Paramedic, Pafford EMS (Boyle, MS)
Sam Swanson, Paramedic, Hall Ambulance Service  (Bakersfield, CA)
Jessicah Sweet, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Monticello Ambulance Service (Star City, AR)
Sam Sye, Fleet Service Manager , Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Mindoro, WI)
Keri Taylor, Health Information Management Coordinator, EMSA (Oklahoma City, OK)
Nikki Taylor, Captain, Nationally Registered Paramedic, Metropolitan EMS (North Little Rock, AR)
Heather Teague, Paramedic Crew Chief, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Charlotte, NC)
Shane Terry, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam (Snyder, TX)
Chris Thomason, Paramedic, ProMed Ambulance (El Dorado, AR)
Cynthia Torkelson, Paramedic, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Monona, WI)
Richelle Treece, Paramedic, REACT EMS (Shawnee, OK)
David Trimberger, Paramedic Field Training Officer, Pafford EMS (Edmond, OK)
Cheryl VanSeters, Control Center Trainer, Life EMS Ambulance (Grand Rapids, MI)
Andrew Clei Varela, Paramedic, Field Training Officer, American Medical Response (Keyes , CA)
Lucie Walters, Flight Respiratory Therapist, AirMed International (Foley, AL)
Nicole Warren, Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam (Osceola, MO)
Andrew Watson, Paramedic & Clinical Services Specialist, EMSA (Norman, OK)
Paul Winter, Paramedic – Field Training Officer, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network (Shelton, CT)
Amy Wollenburg, Paramedic, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service (Austin, MN)
Haywad Yusufzai, EMT & Field Training Officer, Armstrong Ambulance Service (Arlington, MA)
Ronnie Zermeno, Paramedic Supervisor, Pafford EMS (Sherwood, AR)

 

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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.

2024 AAA Legislative Awards

Written by Meghan Winesett on . Posted in Awards, Legislative, Legislative Awards, News, Press, Stars of Life.

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 AAA Legislative Awards. Each Member of Congress is being recognized for their strong advocacy for emergency medical services and their ongoing dedication to ambulance services across the United States. In addition to our two Legislator of the Year Awards and 25 Legislative Recognition Awards, the American Ambulance Association has named their first-ever EMS Legacy Award Winner. This award is reserved for a Members of Congress who made a substantial impact on the EMS industry during their tenure in the U.S. Congress.

2024 EMS Legacy Award

Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI)

2024 AAA Legislators of the Year

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3)
Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-1)

2024 AAA Legislative Recognition Award Recipients

Senators

  • Senator Jon Tester (MT)
  • Senator Katherine Cortez Masto (NV)
  • Senator Susan Collins (ME)
  • Senator Bill Cassidy (LA)
  • Senator Patty Murray (WA)
  • Senator Jerry Moran (KS)
  • Senator John Boozman (AR)
  • Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
  • Senator Peter Welch (VT)

Representatives

  • Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-7)
  • Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-2)
  • Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-1)
  • Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20)
  • Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-3)
  • Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-1)
  • Congressman Michael Guest (MS-3)
  • Congressman Michael Bost (IL-12)
  • Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-1)
  • Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)
  • Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16)
  • Congressman Kelly Armstrong (ND- At Large)
  • Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5)
  • Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37)
  • Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15)
  • Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT- At Large)

 

News Release | EMS Heroes To Be Honored in Washington, DC as 2024 Stars of Life

Written by Amanda Riordan on . Posted in AAA HQ, News, Press, Stars of Life.

October 24, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amanda Riordan
703-615-4492
ariordan@ambulance.org

EMS Heroes To Be Honored in Washington, DC as 2024 Stars of Life

Washington, DC—This November, the American Ambulance Association (AAA) will recognize extraordinary EMS professionals during the annual Stars of Life celebration. 143 individuals from across the United States will be honored as the 2024 Stars at the November 11–13 event.

Stars of Life pays tribute to the dedication of these hometown heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare safety net. During their time in our nation’s capital, the Stars will receive medallions and awards in thanks for their lifesaving and life-sustaining service. The Stars, accompanied by their families and executive hosts, will also meet with members of Congress and congressional aides to discuss policy issues critical to emergency medical services. In recognition of Veterans Day on November 11, special recognition will be afforded to Stars with a military or reserves background.

In addition to the Stars, Representative Brad Finstad of Minnesota and Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington will be recognized as Legislators of the Year, and 9 United States Senators and 16 US Representatives will receive Legislative Recognition Awards for their support of mobile healthcare. Retiring Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan will also be honored with the inaugural EMS Legacy Award.

American Ambulance Association President Randy Strozyk noted that, “EMS professionals work around-the-clock to deliver out-of-hospital care when it is needed most.” He continued, “We honor this year’s Stars of Life and thank them for their tireless service to local communities across the nation.”

This year’s distinguished Stars of Life honorees are:

Frank Alba, Critical Care Paramedic, Field Training Officer, American Medical Response (Kansas City, KS)
Johan Alvarado, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam (Laredo, TX)
Aubree Arneson, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Cal-Ore Life Flight (Brookings, OR)
Adam Aronberg, Paramedic, Northwell Health System Center for EMS (Norwalk, NY)
Glenn Arremony, Operations Manager, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network (Lisbon, CT)
Robyn Asher, Training Administrator & Quality Assurance Manager, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
Krystal Barboza, Community Outreach Coordinator, Hall Ambulance Service  (Bakersfield, CA)
Keone Bareng, Paramedic Supervisor, Life EMS Ambulance (West Olive, MI)
Henry Barsh, Emergency Medical Technician, American Medical Response (Philadelphia, DC)
John Basile, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana (Highland, IN)
Jason Baum, Paramedic Supervisor, Falck – San Diego (Escondido, CA)
Alec Belau, Field Training Officer, Paramedic, Maricopa Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Scottsdale, TN)
Antoine Berenger, Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician, Rural Metro Fire (Gilbert, AZ)
Samantha Blackwell, Paramedic, Acadian Ambulance (Converse, LA)
Cornelius Brady, Chief Strategy Officer, VMSC Emergency Medical Services (Lansdale, PA)
Spencer Brittain, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Life EMS  (Enid, OK)
Gregg Bulman, Paramedic , Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Dorchester, WI)
Jade Calvin, Critical Care Paramedic, Bell Ambulance, Inc. (Waukesha, WI)
Jeremiah Capps, Operations Manager, Superior Mobile Health (Converse, TX)
Josh Cavaness, Flight Paramedic, EagleMed/Med-Trans Corp. (Chanute, KS)
Emily Chandler, EMS Programs Manager & Program Director, NCTI of Massachusetts, American Medical Response (Duxbury, MA)
Cassandra Clark, Paramedic Supervisor, Medix Ambulance Service Inc. (Vancouver , OR)
Eric Constantine, Operations Manager – Sonoma County, Medic Ambulance Service Inc. (Santa Rosa, CA)
Jason Cooke, Vice President of Operations, Medshore Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Darlington , SC)
Bernard Cote, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Rescue Inc. (Newfane, VT)
Janiece Cox, Critical Care Paramedic/911 Contract Manager, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Indiana (Valparaiso, IN)
Brandi Crist, Paramedic, Metropolitan EMS (Bigelow, AR)
Andrew Davalos, Paramedic , American Medical Response (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Dwight Derby, Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Life Systems, Inc. (Selah, WA)
Michael Dobrosky, Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio (Genoa, OH)
Dianna Drake, Emergency Medical Technician & Field Training Officer, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network (Meriden, CT)
Nate Dutt, Paramedic, Sanford Ambulance (Fargo, ND)
Amie Ebarb, Emergency Medical Technician, Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service (Ardmore, OK)
Riggs Egolf, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Hampton, VA)
Yahya Elshawarbi, Emergency Medical Technician, Falck USA (Hayward, CA)
Steve Emery, Emergency Medical Technician, Seals Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Indianapolis, IN)
Aidan Enders, Paramedic Chief Supervisor, Mohawk Ambulance Service (Delanson, NY)
Juvencio Estrada, Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam (Laredo, TX)
William Fisher, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam (Walnut Ridge, MO)
Jason Florance, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Overbrook, KS)
Eric Foell, Training Officer, Regional Ambulance Service, Inc. (Tinmouth, VT)
Robert Ford, Emergency Medical Technician, LifeNet Inc. – Oklahoma (Stillwater, OK)
Josh Frierson, Operations Manager, Lifenet, Inc – Texas (Wake Village, TX)
Jorge Garcia, Emergency Medical Technician, Umpqua Valley Ambulance (Roseburg, OR)
Hope Garrison, Operations Manager, LifeNet, Inc. – Arkansas (Royal, AR)
Craig Gesterling, Shift Commander & Paramedic , Sunstar Paramedics (St Petersburg, SD)
Taylor Gibson, Assistant Supervisor – Emergency Communications, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service (Rochester , MN)
Jacob Gilmore, Emergency Medical Technician, Mohawk Ambulance Service (Burnt Hills, NY)
Wayne Gooding, Community Paramedic, Emergent Health Partners (Jackson, MI)
Jessup Grogan, Sergeant & Emergency Medical Technician, Metropolitan EMS (Little Rock, AR)
Kenneth Guzman, Paramedic, Northwell Health System Center for EMS (Farmingville, NY)
Diamond Hall, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois (Oak Park, IL)
Morgan Halliburton, Emergency Medical Technician, ProMed Ambulance (Maynard, AR)
Scotland Hamlin, Field Training Officer, Emergency Medical Technician, American Medical Response (Orlando, FL)
Kayleen Harding, Emergency Medical Technician, Frontier Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Fort Washakie, WY)
Josh Harrington, Assistant Supervisor & Paramedic , Sunstar Paramedics (Tampa, FL)
John Hathaway, Emergency Medical Technician, Spirit Medical Transport, LLC (Greenville, OH)
Robert Hatzikonstantis, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Armstrong Ambulance Service ( Arlington, MA)
William Hehn, Jr., Air Communications Specialist, REMSA Health (Reno, NV)
Jason Henry, Fire Captain Paramedic, Rural Metro Fire (Mesa, AZ)
Kylend Hetherington, Paramedic, Medstar Ambulance (Auburn, MI)
Jon Hibbard, Paramedic Supervisor, Action Ambulance Service, Inc. (Tuftonboro, MA)
Timothy Hinchcliff, Managing Director, Burholme Emergency Medical Services (Philadelphia, PA)
Jason Hodges, Operations Supervisor, Honor Guard Commander, American Medical Response (Wilsonville, OR)
Royce Hsiung, EMT-IV Tech, Lakes Region EMS (North Branch, MN)
Alan Hughry, Paramedic , Medic Ambulance Service Inc. (Vallejo, CA)
Kristen Hunter, Emergency Medical Technician Supervisor, Action Ambulance Service, Inc. (Southboro, MA)
Heather James, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician , American Medical Response (Lagrange, GA)
Lillie Jamison, Supervisor and Compliance Specialist, Baptist Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Nesbit, TN)
Steve Jaskot, Community Paramedic, Emergent Health Partners (Chelsea, MI)
Brian Keith, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Wisconsin (Oshkosh, WI)
David Kingdon, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Wailuku, HI)
Alissa Krisher, Critical Care Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Wisconsin (New London, WI)
Daniel Laguna, Area Float Pilot, REACH (North Salt Lake, UT)
Matthew Lambert, Paramedic, Lifeguard Ambulance Service (Florence, AL)
Carla Landrum, Field Training Officer, Puckett EMS, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Buchanan, GA)
Miki Leslie, Emergency Medical Technician, Field Training Officer, American Medical Response (White Swan, WA)
William Loftus-Rooney, Emergency Medical Technician, Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.  (Holyoke , MA)
George Lombardo, EMS Training & Safety Manager, Superior Mobile Health (Kirby, TX)
Patti Ludvig McCartney, Integrated Care Paramedic, Life EMS Ambulance (Portage, MI)
Eric Lumpkin, Dispatch Supervisor – Quality Assurance & Training, Central EMS, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Dacula, GA)
Don Marr, Paramedic, Bay Cities Ambulance (Coos Bay, OR)
James Martin, Critical Care Paramedic, Pafford EMS (Tulsa, OK)
Maurice Matthews, Critical Care Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan (Berkley, MI)
Amanda McQuistian, Director Of Operations, LifeCare Medical Transports, Priority Ambulance (Fredericksburg, VA)
Alyssa Meier, Emergency Medical Technician, Life Line Ambulance (Prescott, AZ)
Eli Melamed, Paramedic, Life Line Ambulance (Prescott Valley, AZ)
Shelly Miller, Revenue Cycle Manager, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Concord, NC)
Loren Mitchell, Operations Supervisor , Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Waterloo , WI)
Michael Mitchell, Emergency Medical Technician, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Illinois (Yorkville, IL)
Kevin Moore, Paramedic, Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.  (Newburyport, MA)
Amber Munch, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS (Baton Rouge, LA)
Scott Munoz, Critical Care Paramedic, Missoula Emergency Services (Frenchtown, MT)
Adam Mysona, Emergency Medical Technician, Falck – Colorado (Lakewood, CO)
Philip Neff, Field Training Officer, Falck – Southern California (La Palma, CA)
Shellaine Novak, Clinical Services Director, PatientCare EMS (Sioux Falls, SD)
Stacy Omdahl, Emergency Medical Technician, LifeCare EMS (Roseau, MN)
Megan Overbeck, Paramedic, Abbott EMS (Decatur, IL)
Michael Penna, Critical Care Transport Registered Nurse, American Medical Response (Grand Terrace, CA)
Jon Jakob Peterson, Paramedic, Sanford Ambulance (Fargo, ND) (POSTHUMOUS)
Lori Peterson, Paramedic & Field Training Officer, Medstar Ambulance (Shelby Twp, MI)
Emily Robillard, Emergency Communications Officer , East Baton Rouge Parish EMS (New Roads, LA)
Kevin Rochford, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Temple, TX)
Brian Rogers, Advanced Scope Paramedic, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Ohio (Ontario, OH)
Daniel Schaefer, Chief of Operations, Metro-Area Ambulance Service (Mandan , ND)
Madison Schatzer, Paramedic, McClain-Grady County EMS (Moore, OK)
Mark Schiltz, Emergency Medical Technician, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Caledonia, WI)
Ryan Schott, Field Training Officer, Paramedic Crew Chief, & Tactical Paramedic, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Charlotte, NC)
Joe Scott, Paramedic Shift Leader, Medix Ambulance Service Inc. (Warrenton , OR)
Allison Sharp, Paramedic, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS (Baton Rouge, LA)
Faith Shuff, Paramedic Field Supervisor, National EMS, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Oxford, TN)
Nicole Silver, Paramedic, Northwell Health System Center for EMS (Staten Island, NY)
Dale Simmons, EMS Program Administrator, Mercy Ambulance Service, Inc. (Savannah, GA)
Lance Smeal, Field Training Officer, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, American Medical Response (Lockport, NY)
Chad Smith, Director of Operation Support, Kunkel Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Mohawk, TN)
Robin Smith, Training Administrator, First Call Ambulance, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Nashville, TN)
Thomas Smith, Communications Manager, EMSA (Tulsa, OK)
Raquel Soto, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Newington, CT)
Jason Southard, Operations Supervisor, American Medical Response (Tucson, AZ)
Allen Steele, Emergency Medical Technician, Guardian Ambulance Service, Priority Ambulance, LLC (Darlington, SC)
Savannah Steele Welch, Field Supervisor, Paramedic, Acadian Ambulance (West Monroe, LA)
Ambrose Stevens, Operations Manager, Paramedic, American Medical Response (Redding, CA) (POSTHUMOUS)
Dalton Stewart, Paramedic, Pafford EMS (Boyle, MS)
Sam Swanson, Paramedic, Hall Ambulance Service  (Bakersfield, CA)
Jessicah Sweet, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Monticello Ambulance Service (Star City, AR)
Sam Sye, Fleet Service Manager , Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Mindoro, WI)
Keri Taylor, Health Information Management Coordinator, EMSA (Oklahoma City, OK)
Nikki Taylor, Captain, Nationally Registered Paramedic, Metropolitan EMS (North Little Rock, AR)
Heather Teague, Paramedic Crew Chief, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Charlotte, NC)
Shane Terry, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam (Snyder, TX)
Chris Thomason, Paramedic, ProMed Ambulance (El Dorado, AR)
Cynthia Torkelson, Paramedic, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (Monona, WI)
Richelle Treece, Paramedic, REACT EMS (Shawnee, OK)
David Trimberger, Paramedic Field Training Officer, Pafford EMS (Edmond, OK)
Cheryl VanSeters, Control Center Trainer, Life EMS Ambulance (Grand Rapids, MI)
Andrew Clei Varela, Paramedic, Field Training Officer, American Medical Response (Keyes , CA)
Lucie Walters, Flight Respiratory Therapist, AirMed International (Foley, AL)
Nicole Warren, Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam (Osceola, MO)
Andrew Watson, Paramedic & Clinical Services Specialist, EMSA (Norman, OK)
Paul Winter, Paramedic – Field Training Officer, Hartford HealthCare EMS Network (Shelton, CT)
Amy Wollenburg, Paramedic, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service (Austin, MN)
Haywad Yusufzai, EMT & Field Training Officer, Armstrong Ambulance Service (Arlington, MA)
Ronnie Zermeno, Paramedic Supervisor, Pafford EMS (Sherwood, AR)

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 12, 2024 from 6:30–8:30pm. Interviews with Stars of Life as well as national EMS leaders 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.

Senator Stabenow Receives Inaugural EMS Legacy Award

Written by Meghan Winesett on . Posted in Cost Data Collection, Legislative, Legislative Awards, Medicare, Press.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Tristan North
tnorth@ambulance.org
October 10, 2024

 

Senator Debbie Stabenow Receives Inaugural EMS Legacy Award from the American Ambulance Association

 

Washington, D.C. — Senator Debbie Stabenow has been honored with the first-ever annual EMS Legacy Award by the American Ambulance Association (AAA) for her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to emergency medical services (EMS) during her distinguished tenure in the United States Senate.

The award recognizes Senator Stabenow’s significant contributions to the EMS community, particularly her role in introducing and championing critical legislation. Notably, she was instrumental in the creation of the Ground Ambulance Cost Data Collection System, which enhances transparency and supports the sustainability of ground ambulance services across the nation. Additionally, Senator Stabenow’s efforts led to the successful extension of Medicare Ambulance Add-On payments for five years, a vital support mechanism that helps ensure reliable emergency medical care for Medicare beneficiaries.

The EMS Legacy Award underscores the critical importance of legislative support for emergency medical services, highlighting Senator Stabenow’s role in elevating these issues on the national stage. Her advocacy ensures that EMS providers have the resources and support needed to deliver high-quality care.

About the American Ambulance Association:
The American Ambulance Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the interests of ambulance service providers and the patients they serve. With a mission to advance the profession and improve patient care, the AAA provides resources, education, and support to its members and the EMS community.

2023 AAA Legislative Awards

Written by Meghan Winesett on . Posted in Awards, Legislative, Legislative Awards, News, Press, Stars of Life.

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 AAA Legislative Awards. Each Member of Congress is being recognized for their strong advocacy for emergency medical services and their ongoing dedication to ambulance services across the United States.

2023 AAA Legislators of the Year

Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D (LA)
Senator Jon Tester (MT)

2023 AAA Legislative Recognition Award Recipients

Senators

  • Senator Cortez Masto (NV)
  • Senator Collins (ME)
  • Senator Stabenow (MI)
  • Senator Schumer (NY)
  • Senator Lujan (NM)
  • Senator Kaine (VA)
  • Senator Murkowski (AK)
  • Senator Tuberville (AL)
  • Senator Murray (WA)
  • Senator Moran (KS)
  • Senator Boozman (AR)

Representatives

  • Congressman Blumenauer (OR-3)
  • Congresswoman Kelly (IL-2)
  • Congresswoman Sewell (AL-7)
  • Congressman Wenstrup (OH-2)
  • Congressman Carter (GA-1)
  • Congressman Tonko (NY-20)
  • Congressman Davis (IL-7)
  • Congresswoman Perez (WA-3)
  • Congressman Finstad (MN-1)
  • Congressman Pence (IN-6)
  • Congressman Kim (NJ-3)
  • Congresswoman Clark (MA-5)
  • Congressman Zinke (MT-1)
  • Congressman Guest (MS-3)
  • Congresswoman Hoyle (OR-4)
  • Congressman Bost (IL-12)
  • Congressman Alford (MO-4)

 

Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2023

Written by Meghan Winesett on . Posted in Advocacy Priorities, Government Affairs, Legislative.

Earlier today, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) introduced the Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2023. The legislation would extend the temporary Medicare ambulance add-on payments for an additional three years.

“We thank Senators Cortez Masto, Collins, Stabenow, and Cassidy for introducing the Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act and for their strong support for ground ambulance services and the communities and patients we serve,” said AAA President Randy Strozyk. “The disparity between Medicare reimbursement and the costs of providing services has grown significantly through reductions in reimbursement and skyrocketing expenses for labor, ambulances, and equipment. This bill would help reduce that gap and maintain access to vital ground ambulance services for communities around the country.”

The Senate version of the bill would go even further by increasing the add-on payment levels for urban from 2% to 3.4% urban, for rural from 3% to 4.3% rural and for super rural from 22.6% 26.2%. The last extension of the add-on payments was scheduled to end on December 31, 2022, but our champions on Capitol Hill were able to secure a two-year extension through December 31, 2024. The additional three-year extension is critical to keep the add-on payments in place through ambulance data collection and provide time to Congress to then use the data to reform the Medicare ambulance fee schedule.

Representatives Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the House version (H.R. 1666) of the bill on March 17. The House bill would be a three-year extension of the add-on payments at their present levels.

This progress is the result of tireless advocacy on the part of AAA volunteer leaders, staff, and consultants made possible by the sustained support of our members. It is critical that AAA members reach out to both their Senators and Representatives to cosponsor the respective versions of the Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Services Act of 2023. It is vital that we generate a groundswell of support in the Congress for extending the add-on payments and will need that support to then also advocate for the higher add-on percentages when Congress negotiates on Medicare payment extensions.

Medicare Ambulance Relief Bill introduced in Senate

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Advocacy Priorities, Government Affairs, Legislative, Medicare.

Yesterday, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2021 (S. 2037). Senators Cortez Masto and Collins were joined by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Bernie Sanders (D-VT) as primary cosponsors and leads on the legislation.

S. 2037 is identical to H.R. 2454 by Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and would extend the temporary Medicare ground ambulance increases of 2% urban, 3% rural and the super rural bonus payment for five years. The increases are currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022. The five-year extension would allow for the increases to remain in place during the two-year delay on ambulance data collection due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, an analysis of the data by MedPAC and subsequent action by the Congress to reform the Medicare ambulance fee schedule.

The legislation would also help ensure that rural zip codes in large urban counties remain rural following geographical changes under the fee schedule as a result of the 2020 census data. The current definition using rural urban commuting areas (RUCA) in Goldsmith Modification areas would be modified for zip codes with 1,000 people or less per square mile would also be rural. Ground ambulance service providers and suppliers could also petition the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make the argument that a specific zip code should be rural. It is vital that this provision be implemented before CMS makes changes from the 2020 census data which will likely occur in 2023.

The AAA has been leading the effort on the legislation with the support of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of EMTs, National Rural Health Association and the National Volunteer Fire Council.

The AAA will be launching a Call to Action shortly requesting AAA members to ask their Senators to cosponsor S. 2037, and reach out to their Representatives to cosponsor H.R. 2454 if they have not already done so.

We greatly appreciate the leadership of Senators Cortez Masto, Collins, Stabenow, Cassidy, Leahy, and Sanders on this vitally important legislation.

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