DeKalb Paramedic Behind Roadside Blood Transfusion Earns National EMS Recognition

After more than 20 years as a paramedic, Andre Pinkston has never stopped finding new ways to contribute to patient care and the clinicians working beside him.

His career has included frontline paramedicine, four years as a battalion chief, several years as a field training officer and ongoing mentorship of clinicians at different stages of their careers. Today, he is part of an AMR DeKalb team bringing another advanced and lifesaving capability to patients before they reach a hospital: prehospital whole blood.

Because of his commitment to advancing patient care and helping build DeKalb County's prehospital whole-blood program, Pinkston has been named a 2026 Star of Life by the American Ambulance Association. He is among 167 EMS professionals being recognized nationwide, including 33 honorees from Global Medical Response (GMR), AMR's parent company, for their service and contributions to patients, colleagues and communities.

One of the 911 responses that highlights that commitment involved crash survivor Charles Carpenter. After Carpenter was extricated from a vehicle, Pinkston administered universal-donor whole blood at the roadside, beginning a transfusion before the patient reached the hospital.

Carpenter later reunited with the clinicians who cared for him, and that response has previously received media attention. While the case illustrates the impact of prehospital blood transfusions, Pinkston's national recognition also reflects the dedication, training and leadership required to sustain that capability for future patients experiencing life-threatening blood loss.

Pinkston is currently assigned to DeKalb County's Hemorrhage and Resuscitation Treatment, or HART, program. Through HART, specially trained AMR paramedics have completed more than 100 prehospital whole-blood transfusions for patients experiencing life-threatening blood loss from traumatic injuries and medical emergencies. The program is a partnership among AMR, DeKalb County Fire Rescue and The Blood Connection.

Maintaining that capability requires medical oversight, clinical protocols, temperature-controlled storage, a reliable blood supply and clinicians trained to determine when blood administration is appropriate.

With more than two decades in EMS, Pinkston has helped champion those efforts, showing the behind-the-scenes work that’s behind every successful patient outcome. Equipment and protocols may evolve, but experienced clinicians will continue learning, adapt to new approaches , and share knowledge with the next generation of EMTs and paramedics.

Pinkston is one of 33 Global Medical Response professionals selected for the 2026 Stars of Life program and will join honorees from across the country in Washington, D.C., Nov. 15-18. The national program recognizes EMS professionals whose service has made a meaningful difference for patients, colleagues and communities. During the program, honorees will also have opportunities to visit Capitol Hill, meet with lawmakers and share their experiences in EMS with those shaping policies that affect the profession and the communities they serve.