Tracey Swabby

In any large company, it’s important to adapt regularly and rapidly. Tracey Swabby personifies this quality trait, having been a part of the many positive changes made here at GMR over the years and across our multiple emergency medical service (EMS) brands.

It all started 32 years ago when Tracey witnessed a car and train collision. She recalls the incident, “I used t-shirts that I had in my car to stop the driver from bleeding out until help could arrive, and I wanted to know what more I could have done. So, I went to EMT classes to focus on EMS full-time.”

Tracey began her EMS career as a dispatcher in St. Louis, MO. From there, she held EMT positions in St. Louis and in Belleville, IL for Abbott EMS, an American Medical Response (AMR) company.

The skills she’d gained from prior experience helped Tracey adapt to new leadership; especially her perspective on how true and honest communication—done well and timely—saves time and builds relationships. These traits are exactly what GMR sought in a regional business development manager. Naturally, she was approached to fill the role and fill it she did.

This role showcases Tracey’s operational side to EMS; it was her job to build relationships with our municipal partners, long-term care communities and hospital systems. Her connections would inspire new programs and services, require contract negotiations and business maintenance, and focus on company growth. She adds, “I learned a great deal from each operation, and I am continually learning about the amazing effect GMR has across the country.”

Since then, she has cherished many moments over the years, like providing medical care at the IndyCar races annually and supporting the community by doing business with our hospital system partners, promoting the highest quality of patient care and hosting events and training visits.

Her ambition didn’t stop with AMR though. She reached for the skies, now working as the program manager for Air Evac Lifeteam 156 in Madison County, IL.

After building a strong foundation in ground EMS with AMR, she advanced into air medical services and now leads Air Evac Lifeteam 156 as program manager in Madison County, IL.

“Find your passion, and then find your wings,” she encourages anyone who may be seeking their first EMS job. “Whether on the ground or inflight, caring for people is a strong need no matter where I go. Remember, we ARE making a difference, so I am still all in!”

Thank you, Tracey, for shaping the minds of who will come next, for respecting the skills and experiences every team member brings to the table and for always looking for ways to be better. We are honored to have you represent EMS For Life.