Global Medical Response Announces Winners of Inaugural Clinical and Safety Competition
12.16.2025
Elite teams from GMR’s air and ground divisions showcased clinical excellence and operational precision in a two-day challenge judged by industry experts.
Global Medical Response (GMR), a national leader in emergency medical services, recently hosted its inaugural Clinical and Safety Competition at its NextFleet facility in Mineral Wells, Texas. This two-day event was the first time top-performing teams from both GMR’s air and ground operations came together to compete in a series of high-impact, skill-based challenges designed to elevate clinical performance and reinforce a culture of safety.
“This competition reflects the heart of who we are at GMR,” said Michael Arinder, director of clinical operations and event director. “It’s not only a demonstration of clinical expertise, but also a celebration of the innovation, teamwork, and commitment that drive our mission to deliver care at a moment’s notice.”
Eleven elite teams—representing ground advanced life support (ALS), rotor-wing critical care, and fixed-wing critical care—advanced from regional selections and qualifiers to participate in the final event. Through the use of medical simulation dummies, the competing providers navigated complex clinical scenarios and operational drills that tested their precision, timing, and collaborative response.
“We made this as realistic as possible and even built our own ‘hospital’ using GMR facilities. Competitors were tasked with demonstrating proficient effectiveness in complex procedures such as precise airway control and bleeding management on the simulation dummies,” adds Jason Mattes, regional director of clinical operations for GMR. “These providers were pushed to show the highest level of skill.”
Day One of the competition was designed to test the agility and coordination of the teams with a multi-phase response scenario. Ground crews were first dispatched to an automobile factory where a worker experienced an acute respiratory emergency, immediately needing to stabilize the patient for transport. From there, rotor-wing air teams stepped in, transferring the patient from a critical access hospital to a higher level of care, managing ventilator support and critical medications mid-flight. The day concluded with fixed-wing teams ensuring the patient’s safe return to their home hospital, continuing advanced medical management throughout the journey.
Day Two presented an equally challenging simulation, with ground and rotor-wing crews responding to a pediatric trauma case after a vehicle strike. Meanwhile, fixed-wing teams undertook the delicate task of transporting an organ donor to a recovery hospital, maintaining optimal conditions for organ viability during transit.
A panel of independent industry experts evaluated each phase, scoring teams on both technical execution and holistic patient care. The winners of the 2025 GMR Clinical and Safety Competition are:
Winning Ground and Rotor Team (Left to Right)
- GMR Chief Operating Officer Ted Van Horne
- Tyler Farris, Lakeport, Calif. / REACH – Flight Paramedic
- Sarah Cobb, Lakeport, Calif. / REACH – Flight Nurse
- Michael Scott, Spokane, Wash. / AMR – Emergency Medical Technician
- Hunter Snyder, Spokane, Wash. / AMR – Paramedic
Winning Fixed-Wing Team (Left to Right)
- Breana Hope, Bishop, Calif. / Sierra Lifeflight (REACH) - Flight Paramedic
- Devon Jeffrey, Bishop, Calif. / Sierra Lifeflight (REACH) - Flight Nurse
- GMR Chief Operation Officer Ted Van Horne
This milestone event marks a new chapter in GMR’s commitment to clinical excellence and patient safety. It reinforces the organization’s mission to deliver world-class emergency care while fostering professional growth, collaboration, and pride across its nationwide operations.
