32 GMR First Responders to Receive the EMS Industry’s Highest Honor
10.20.2025
Fewer than one in a thousand caregivers earn the EMS industry’s highest honor.
From near drowning rescues and burning vehicles, to life-saving CPR at a high school football game, first responders from Global Medical Response (GMR) answer America’s most critical calls every day. This year, 32 professionals from among 34,000 prehospital clinicians, dispatchers, and support staff have been named Stars of Life, the highest honor given by the American Ambulance Association (AAA). The 2025 class will be celebrated in Washington, D.C., Nov. 2-5, where they will share their stories with lawmakers and spotlight the urgent, evolving needs of emergency medical services across the nation.
"Our caregivers provide services to more than 5.5 million patients annually. These 32 individuals have achieved exceptional accomplishments that stand out even among those significant figures,” stated GMR President and CEO Nick Loporcaro. “Their expertise, dedication, and ability to remain composed under pressure have contributed to saving lives, supporting communities, and advancing the profession."
Honoring Excellence that Reverberates Beyond the Call
About the Stars of Life Program
The Stars of Life program, founded by the AAA in 1996, honors EMS professionals who demonstrate unwavering dedication to those they serve. As recipients of the 2025 Stars of Life award, these 32 honorees will join first responders from EMS agencies across the U.S. for a multi-day national celebration and awards ceremony.
"Our caregivers provide services to more than 5.5 million patients annually. These 32 individuals have achieved exceptional accomplishments that stand out even among those significant figures,” stated GMR President and CEO Nick Loporcaro. “Their expertise, dedication, and ability to remain composed under pressure have contributed to saving lives, supporting communities, and advancing the profession."
Honoring Excellence that Reverberates Beyond the Call
- Life-changing moments. Nominees consist of clinicians who have performed exceptional acts, such as rescuing patients trapped beneath an 18-wheeler, traversing hazardous roads to reach individuals stranded during a severe winter storm, and intervening in a stabbing incident while off duty and administering life-saving care until emergency responders arrived.
- Leadership in the field and community. Many serve as instructors, safety officers, mentors, and volunteers in their communities—multiplying their impact by elevating the next generation of first responders.
- Advocates for EMS. During the AAA celebration, honorees will meet with members of Congress to discuss frontline challenges—staffing shortages, pay parity and the growing demand for advanced out-of-hospital care—underscoring why sustained investment in EMS is essential for public health.
- Carlos Bautista, Base Aviation Manager, Fixed Wing Pilot, EagleMed, Dodge City, KS
- Chris Crawford, Paramedic, Field Training Officer, American Medical Response, Portland, OR
- Nathanael Day, Flight Nurse, Paramedic, EagleMed, Dodge City, KS
- Rudy Drago, Dispatch Lead, AMR 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
- Marc Flores, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Abilene, TX
- Kenny Glimmee, Flight Paramedic, REACH Air Medical Services, Alpine, CA
- Aaron Goodloe, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Kansas City, KS
- Dylan Graves, Lead Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Clackamas County, OR
- Terry Gray, EMT, Crew Chief, American Medical Response, Seattle, WA
- Julie Humes, Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam, Macomb, IL
- Joseph Ketcham, Paramedic Supervisor, MedicWest, Las Vegas, NV
- PJ Lowe, Advanced EMT, American Medical Response, Jackson, MS
- Matt Magiera, Paramedic, Medstar EMS, Summerdale, AL
- Beau McFarlin, Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Marion, IL
- Alexander Megquier, Paramedic, American Medical Response, West Hartford, CT
- Douglas Milks, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Buffalo, NY
- Magen Morris, Paramedic, Special Events Administrative Supervisor, MedicWest, Las Vegas, NV
- Holly Nasello, Paramedic, Life Line, Prescott, AZ
- Trey Phillips, Flight Nurse, Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Snellville, GA
- Rick Pringle, Paramedic, Field Training Office, AMR Temple EMS, Temple, TX
- Julie Purick, Critical Care Paramedic, American Medical Response, Rochester, NY
- LeAnn Riley, Emergency Dispatcher, 911 Call Taker, American Medical Response, Modesto, CA
- Ryan Rizen, Clinical Education Manager, American Medical Response, Evansville, IN
- Samantha Sabol, Paramedic, Field Training Officer, AMR Temple EMS, Temple, TX
- Missy Satterfield, Flight Nurse, Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam, Abilene, TX
- Morgan Stanley, EMT, American Medical Response, Independence, MO
- Talitha Crowe, EMT, AMR Temple EMS, Temple, TX
- Dustin Wilson, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Stockton, CA
- Brannen Zilka, Paramedic, American Medical Response, Concord, CA
About the Stars of Life Program
The Stars of Life program, founded by the AAA in 1996, honors EMS professionals who demonstrate unwavering dedication to those they serve. As recipients of the 2025 Stars of Life award, these 32 honorees will join first responders from EMS agencies across the U.S. for a multi-day national celebration and awards ceremony.
