Nevada Ambulance Association News

Senate Cloture on Shutdown Package

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 19:40:38 GMT

The Senate has made progress towards ending the ongoing government shutdown. The Senate, by a vote of 60 to 40, invoked cloture on consideration of the House-passed Continuing Resolution after an agreement was reached yesterday with eight Senate Democrats on replacement language, which the Senate will vote on next.

On our specific issues, the language would do the following:
1. Extend the temporary Medicare ambulance add-ons payments through January 30, 2026
2. Prevent PAYGO cuts to Medicare providers and suppliers from H.R. 1
3. Extend Medicare sequestration provider cuts for another month

We will keep you posted on new developments

Amber Ground Ambulance Dataset Reflects Complexity and Challenges of the Industry, Highlights the Need to Improve and Continue Cost Data Collection

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:54:39 GMT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is on the cusp of possessing the data needed to make long anticipated changes to the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) ground ambulance payment system. It has been more than two decades since CMS revised these payment rates through a negotiated rulemaking process that was exclusive of actual cost data or inflationary considerations. Since then, the cost structure of ground ambulance entities has changed. CMS is now using the Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) to gather ambulance cost data, as required by Congress, to offer an improved understanding of the costs of delivering ground ambulance services. Given the potential of GADCS data to improve the adequacy of Medicare FFS reimbursement rates, the American Ambulance Association developed a similar data collection device, referred to as Amber, to test these data with its membership of ground ambulance entities. Amber offers a glimpse into the current challenges of the ground ambulance industry.[i]

Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA) assessed the Amber dataset for response rates and data quality, along with responses containing calendar year 2022 financial data. Amber response rates were low, but sample volumes were on par with prior industry surveys conducted in the past by federal agencies. The Amber sample is representative of the industry’s wide variation in entity size and geographic service area. Amber data are reliable for calculating margins, but some aspects of these data also signal that ground ambulance entities, particularly smaller entities, may have had difficulty with variable definitions or the submission process. We observe that Amber would be improved by including information on uncompensated care and more details on medication supply costs.

The 2022 financial data from Amber suggest that Medicare FFS margins, at -6 percent, had declined since GAO’s 2010 assessment and that the share of costs associated with labor has increased. Amber data also suggest that the cost structure of smaller ground ambulance entities and rural and super-rural entities differs from that of larger and more urban entities. Margins for small and rural entities are lower.

Based on our assessment of the Amber dataset and its 2022 financial, we offer several recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders. These recommendations are intended to improve future cost collection efforts that may inform payment reforms to enhance the payment accuracy of the Medicare FFS payment system for ground ambulance services.

Provide additional educational support to respondents to improve consistency of data reporting
Streamline and modify data collection devices to adhere to industry trends and challenges
Develop a standardized method for assigning ground ambulance entities to geographic service area for research purposes
Collect data on ground ambulance uncompensated care and bad debt
Collect payer level data for cases involving treatment without transport
Collect targeted data on top 10 medications by cost to accurately reflect costs in payment rates
CMS should consider collecting ground ambulance cost data on a semi-regular basis
CMS should consider phasing in the use of GADCS data to ensure that the data reflect the diversity of ambulance entities and consistent reporting of key financial variables

The Nevada Ambulance Association Honors our 2025 Stars of Life!

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 19:55:22 GMT

This week the Nevada Ambulance Association honored our class of 2025 Stars of Life in Carson City! Our incredible group of stars were recognized at an awards banquet followed by a day of meetings with their representatives in the Nevada State Legislature. Congratulations to our 2025 Stars of Life!

Corina Barker, Paramedic FTO- American Medical Response
Drew Borkowski, Paramedic FTO- Community Ambulance
Heather Bushey, Flight Nurse- Care Flight
Cody Del Toro, CCT Paramedic- Community Ambulance
Joseph Ketcham, Paramedic FTO- MedicWest Ambulance
Dale Miller, Sr. Communications Supervisor- REMSA Health
Timothy Mitchell, Flight Paramedic- Mercy Air
Samantha Steen, Flight Nurse- Mercy Air
Ryan Yarbrough, Paramedic- REMSA Health

Congress Extends Medicare Ambulance Add-On Payments

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:10:42 GMT

On Saturday, December 21, the American Relief Act of 2025 (H.R. 10545) became law and thereby averted a partial federal government shutdown. Of critical importance to ground ambulance service organizations, H.R. 10545 also extends the temporary Medicare ambulance add-on payments of 2% urban, 3% rural and 22.6% super rural through March 31, 2025. In addition, the new law wipes clean the PAYGO scorecard preventing a potential 4% cut in Medicare reimbursement for ground ambulance and other Medicare services.

The House of Representatives passed by a vote of 366 to 34 the Continuing Resolution (H.R. 10545) to extend funding for the federal government just hours before reaching the previous funding deadline of midnight on December 20th. The Senate then passed H.R. 10545 by a vote of 85 to 11 late that evening. The CR funds the federal government primarily at current funding levels through March 14, 2025.

The negotiations on the American Relief Act were extremely tense with a more robust initial legislative package, which would have extended the Medicare ambulance add-ons for two years, being replaced with a slimmer bill with fewer and shorter health care provisions. The extension of ground ambulance service payments ended up being just one of twenty-five provisions in the final 118-page Continuing Resolution, which was originally over 1,600 pages.

The American Ambulance Assocation will continue to push for a longer extension of the ambulance payments at percentages higher than the current levels upon the expiration of the CR.

Lake Tahoe Board Meeting Photos

Amanda Riordan — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:00:54 GMT

Check out pictures from the September 3 Nevada Ambulance Association board meeting at the Nevada Hospital Association conference in Lake Tahoe!

In Memory of Patrick Smith

Amanda Riordan — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 11:33:47 GMT

The Nevada Ambulance Association regrets to share the passing of longtime EMS leader and friend Patrick Wells Smith, former CEO of REMSA and Care Flight. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and former colleagues.

His obituary and funeral details are published to the AIMHI website.

Rest in peace, brother.

Don't miss photos from Nevada Stars of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 14:54:10 GMT

Last week, 19 exceptional EMS providers were honored at the first-ever Nevada Stars of Life. Check out all of the photos from Carson City on the NAA Facebook page!

Congratulations Eric Thyr, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 21:54:05 GMT

Eric Thyr
Advanced EMT
Community Ambulance

Eric Thyr, 26, has served as an Advanced EMT in the Las Vegas Valley for more than six years. Eric began his career with AMR Las Vegas in the summer of 2012. In 2016, Eric was hired at Community Ambulance where he continued to serve Southern Nevada residents.

Eric has called Henderson home since 1994. He graduated from Green Valley High School in 2010. Eric was an avid motocross racer throughout his childhood and teens and enjoyed the outdoors.

Eric started his journey toward becoming a pilot in 2017, when he attended ATP flight school in North Las Vegas. After gaining flight hours as a student and later a certified flight instructor, Eric was offered a job as a First Officer with Maverick Airlines in Henderson. Flying is Eric’s dream, and he always has a story to tell about his time in the skies. He continued to work in EMS while pursuing his new career as a pilot.

On the night of November 10, 2018, Eric was critically injured. He sustained a severe traumatic brain injury after the accidental discharge of a firearm when a family member mishandled a weapon. Eric not only survived the incident, but after a short four months, has gained back much of his former self. He continues to rehabilitate through this injury and shows extreme determination and a will to be 100% himself.

Eric’s personality is truly one of a kind. He makes people smile and laugh on a daily basis. His witty humor coupled with a sincere nature makes him a genuinely good person. There is no obstacle too big for Eric to surmount, and he looks forward to the day where he can return to both flying and serving the community he calls home.

Congratulations, Warren Archer, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 19:35:54 GMT

Warren Archer
REACH Air
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Warren Archer is proud to be serve his community as both a Registered Nurse and a Paramedic. Although he retired at a young age, he continues to put his full heart into medica flight and volunteering for rural ambulance services.

Warren has served in EMS for the last 25 years. He has been a nurse for 15 years, and has 12 years of flight experience. He embodies professionalism and compassion when interacting with each of his patients. Warren always seeks ways to brighten up a person’s day.

Warren is also quick to share his knowledge and talents with others. He teaches AHA courses through IHC and serves as the training officer for Piute County EMS. He also acts as coordinator for Utah EMS for children,

Warren has been married to his beloved wife, Bonnie, for 43 years. Together they raised four wonderful children—two daughters and two sons. He has seven grandkids, of whom he is very proud. In addition to his mobile healthcare credentials, Warren is a licensed massage therapist and a talented sculptor.

Congratulations, Sarah Pehrson, 2019 Nevada Star of LIfe!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 17:17:28 GMT

Sarah Pehrson
Reach Air
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Sarah Pehrson lives in Spring Creek, Nevada. She has been a nurse for 12 years and has been flying for the last 2½ years. Even before she attained her nursing credentials, Sarah was involved in healthcare and deeply committed to doing what is right for her patients.

Sarah will take time to ask questions and truly listen to those in her care. She is honest, caring and compassionate about what is right for the community she lives in and patients she has been called to serve. She helps with community events, and recently even began a fire fighting course in order to be able to volunteer in even further service to her community.

Sarah has a deep love for her family. Her husband, Wade, two boys, and little girl are the highlight of her life. Wade is a high school teacher and coaches the wrestling team. She is very supportive and helps with team fundraisers. When her schedule permits, she joins Wade to travel with the team.

Sarah is a skilled, empathetic healthcare provider who is loved by many people around her. Reach is proud to call her a 2019 Nevada Star of Life.

Congratulations, Dillon Decker, 2019 Nevada Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 15:19:28 GMT

Dillon Decker
Flight Paramedic
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Dillon Decker is a Flight Paramedic for REACH based in in Ely, Nevada. Dillon is passionate about mobile healthcare because it empowers him to give others a second chance at life.

An experience recently shared with his flight partner, Ty LaRiviere, truly showcases their dedication to EMS. The patient was a three-year-old girl who arrived at the Emergency Department in arrest for unknown reasons. Upon further examination, it was determined that she had endured extreme abuse.

The team showed an overwhelming amount of compassion, empathy, and professionalism when caring for this little girl. They assisted the ED team with resuscitation, they prepared her for flight, then whisked her to Primary Children's Hospital. Because of the injuries she had sustained, her oxygen saturation repeated plummeted during flight. The pair leveraged their skills and experience to troubleshoot the ventilator and delivered her to Children Hospital alive and in better condition than when they picked her up.

Dillon and Ty did everything humanly possible to help her fight for life. Tragically, as sometimes happens in mobile healthcare, the tiny patient eventually succumbed to her injuries. However, she will not be forgotten by the heroes who never gave up trying.

When not caring for others, Dillon enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, hunting, video games, and spending time with his two beloved dogs.

Congratulations, Ty Robert LaRiviere, 2019 Nevada Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 15:06:35 GMT

Ty Robert LaRiviere
Flight Nurse
REACH Air
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Ty LaRiviere is a Flight Nurse for REACH based in in Ely, Nevada, who has served at REACH for two years.

Ty is deeply dedicated to providing the best mobile healthcare possible. His enthusiasm for EMS comes from his personal belief in providing each of his patients with the same care he would want given to his own beloved wife and nine children. This brings him satisfaction in the quality of work and continually inspires him to help others.

An experience recently shared with his flight partner, Dillon Decker, truly showcases their dedication to EMS. The patient was a three-year-old girl who arrived at the Emergency Department in arrest for unknown reasons. Upon further examination, it was determined that she had endured extreme abuse.

Ty and Dillon did everything humanly possible to help her fight for life. Tragically, as sometimes happens in mobile healthcare, the tiny patient eventually succumbed to her injuries. However, she will not be forgotten by the heroes who never gave up trying.

Congratulations, Rachelle Angel, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:32:55 GMT

Rachelle Angel
Community Ambulance
2019 NV Star of Life

Rachelle Angel is an Advanced EMT who has served Community Ambulance since 2016. Before she began her career in mobile healthcare, she worked in a hospital for three years as a pharmacy technician. She was inspired to change careers when she watched a nurse she admired handle a code; she knew in that moment that she, too, wanted to care for patients.

Rachelle was interested in working in a fast-paced environment, so she chose to become a first responder. Following the nurse’s lead, she endeavors to care for each patient she encounters with skill, compassion, and empathy.

Rachelle is also community-minded. She volunteered with the Trauma Intervention Program from March to November 2018.

Outside of work, Rachelle enjoys spending time with her fiancée, Alexis, and her family. She adores her Australian Shepherd, Brooks. Rachelle also loves discovering new coffee houses, boxing, getting lost in a good mystery book, and traveling.

Congratulations, Matthew McClean, 2019 NV Star of Life

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 14:52:22 GMT

Matthew McClean
Community Ambulance
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Matthew McClean joined the mobile healthcare profession in 2014. He earned his EMT credentials in Los Angeles, where he served for 2-1/2 years before moving to the Las Vegas area. He worked as an EMT at AMR while attending Paramedic school. He finished his paramedic internship last October and started practicing as a Paramedic at the end of October 2018. Matthew now lends his talents to Community Ambulance in Clark County. Matthew is excited to further his career in mobile healthcare, and to continue to help his community for many years to come.

Just two weeks after finishing his Paramedic internship, Matthew responded to a call that would forever impact his approach to patient care. Matthew’s coworker had been shot in the head due to an accidental firearm discharge. Matthew and his partner, Rachelle Angel, transported this colleague and friend to UMC hospital where he received further care for his injury. The experience of providing mobile healthcare to someone personally knew inspired in Matthew an even deeper commitment to compassionate, skilled paramedicine.

Matthew likes to spend his days off with his girlfriend, Autumn, traveling to new places and visiting his family back in California. He loves the outdoors and staying active.

Community Ambulance is proud to recognize Matthew McClean as a 2019 Nevada Star of Life.

Congratulations, Markus Dorsey-Hirt, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 13:52:47 GMT

Markus Dorsey-Hirt
Chief Flight Nurse
Care Flight / REMSA
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Markus was born in Augsburg, Germany. He simultaneously attended German medical school and nursing school.

He moves to the United States in 1998 and worked in the San Diego area hospital in a cardiac ICU. Markus and his family moved to the Reno area in 2001 where he worked in the Trauma ICU at Washoe Medical Center and worked part-time as a flight nurse for a private fixed wing air ambulance.

Markus joined Care Flight in 2004 as a Flight Nurse. Since, he has held both clinical and leadership positions within the organization. Currently Markus is the Chief Flight Nurse for Care Flight and the Chief Nursing Officer for the REMSA / Care Flight organization.

Even in his current administrative capacity, you will often find Markus responding to 911 calls in the Reno area or even covering a shift on our CCT Unit or helicopter bases. The flight and ground crews rely on Markus for his medical expertise and advice, often running patient care situations by him for counsel. Markus is a key member of our organization and contributes tremendously to the successful operations of the Care Flight program.

Congratulations, Vanessa Coyle, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 13:42:37 GMT

Vanessa Coyle
Care Flight / REMSA
2019 Star of Life

Vanessa Coyle has served REMSA / Care Flight for 16 years. She joined REMSA in 2003 as an EMT Intermediate, then attained her Paramedic certification in 2004. In 2009, Vanessa transferred from REMSA ground operations to Care Flight to practice her skills as a Flight Paramedic.

Vanessa is passionate in her service to mobile healthcare. As a Base Supervisor for the Gardnerville base, she is dedicated to ensure that the community receives nothing but the best in patient care from the flight crews. Vanessa is an excellent mentor to our new staff members, and always acts as a strong patient advocate.

Vanessa also spends many hours representing Care Flight within the community interacting with police, fire, and EMS agencies throughout the region. Each year at Christmas Vanessa heads up the Care Flight's food donation to the Share Your Christmas Food Drive. Care Flight is proud having Vanessa in our organization and the countless talents she brings with her.

Congratulations Kyle Duthie, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 12:30:07 GMT

Kyle Duthie
EMT
Community Ambulance
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Kyle Duthie has always had a passion for helping others as well as an interest in EMS. When he joined Community Ambulance as an EMT two years ago, it was the perfect opportunity to put his skills and passion to work. Kyle has been a part of the EMS system since moving from Arizona three years ago and has a strong desire to advance in the profession to the Paramedic level.

Kyle is well known for being a reliable partner and for remaining calm under pressure. He has a very genuine and caring attitude towards his team and his patients. Kyle enjoys the challenges and problem-solving that each call requires.

Kyle loves the fact that he is able to provide help and serve the community he lives in, and strives to make a difference in the lives of others. As a mobile healthcare provider, he has served both strangers as well as friends and always makes it a point to be there for both. He has such a huge respect and appreciation for all those in the EMS community and especially grateful to learn by experience from his Paramedic partners.

Kyle is proud to be a part of the EMS family and thankful to be in a position to constantly learn and progress in the EMS field. Kyle is deeply motivated to serve as a positive example to help those in need.

Kyle is especially proud to set a sterling example for his beloved son, Ryatt.

Congratulations to Sarah Allen, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:30:22 GMT

Sarah Allen
AirMed
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Sarah Allen was born and raised in Tonopah, Nevada, where she still lives with her family. Tonopah is a remote wide spot in the road, two hundred miles from the closest major hospital. Access to healthcare in the town of seven thousand has been in decline, and most notably absent are essential services like EMS or doctors. Sarah, mother of three girls, left behind working as an ICU nurse in the big city to take on the challenge of serving as a first responder in her community. As a Flight Nurse, it wasn’t uncommon for her to respond 24/7 from her home, traveling as far as sixty miles to reach accidents and medical emergencies. There, she stabilized, ground transported to awaiting medevac airplanes, and then accompanied the patients to the hospital. Typically, there was no back-up. Conditions are remote. Cell phones don’t work and the weather at 6,000 feet of elevation can change rapidly. While every response is voluntary, she tirelessly cared for people in need, even under adverse conditions. Her presence made differences in each and every response.

Sarah’s approach is to treat her patients like members of her own family. In fact, Sarah is often quietly referred to as “Mother Sarah” in her community and by her co-workers. She knows her previous patients, and future ones too! She hugs when a hug is needed, cries when tears need to be shed, and holds a firm line when it need holding. When tragedy strikes despite the very best medical efforts, Sarah even attends patient funerals. She taught herself how to leave her life as a mother, travel to an emergency, render care, and then to get the patient to the airplane and onto a hospital… innovation and sacrifice, on the personal level, at its best!

When there was a terrible head-on crash in a remote desert location, Sarah’s phone rang asking for her assistance. Fifteen minutes later, she arrived in her personal car, where she encountered a horrible sight: There were fatalities, and the living were either strewn about in the snow or helplessly entrapped in the wreckage. Everyone involved at the scene was either a neighbor or a friend. Until others arrived to help, Sarah tended to her best friend who had sustained a head injury, her friend’s child who was severely injured and in shock, and her friend’s husband, who was her own husband’s best friend. She organized numerous medevacs to distant trauma centers. She then climbed into the wreckage of an overturned truck and held the hand of the entrapped man, a friend, as consciousness waned life and left his body. Holding the hand of your friend as he leaves this world cannot is not an easy thing and most definitely leaves its scars behind. It did for Sarah. Thankfully, with the passage of time, she is healed and once again an amazing EMS provider and proud member of the AirMed family.

More recently, Sarah and her Paramedic partner performed a medevac mission. Her team arrived at a remote airfield to find a volunteer ambulance crew desperately trying to resuscitate a 10-year-old asthmatic in arrest. Again, in a place with no consult or helpful resources, Flight Nurse Sarah was instrumental turning a tragedy into a saved life, delivering that boy to the Children’s Hospital 220 miles away. The child gave a thumbs up on arrival. Sarah’s resilience and caring are a constant inspiration.

As rural hospitals continue to close and traditional healthcare services shrink, mobile healthcare services become more important. They are sometimes all that can stand in the gap between life and death. It’s the “Stars of Life” like Sarah Allen, who continue to work tirelessly with little recognition. Today, let’s recognize and celebrate Nevada’s band of heroes!

Congratulations to Chris Clark, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:25:13 GMT

Chris Clark
AirMed
2019 Star of Life

Christopher Clark was born and raised in Pennsylvania. At an early age, he joined the United States Air Force. During his enlistment, he became a certified Paramedic, serving as an Independent Duty Medic for the Red Horse Squadron at both home station and during deployments. In 2015, after twenty years of service, Chris retired from active duty and promptly enrolled in the UNLV School of Nursing. Taking advantage of former Governor Sandoval’s initiatives to encourage small businesses to employ skilled veterans, Clark was hired by Life Guard International, now AirMed Response, as a flight paramedic. Despite frequently working long hours, he attended nursing school full-time, graduating with honors and attaining his license as a registered nurse in late 2018.

Chris is not one to shy away from assignments, even when they are most challenging. Often, on a moment’s notice, he would drop his personal agenda, don his flight suit, and fly desperately ill patients away to receive life-saving care. When the only hospital between Reno and Las Vegas closed its doors several years ago, Life Guard provided a medevac aircraft to support the meager EMS resources in the remote regions. Chris volunteered for assignment to that base in Tonopah between 2015 and 2018, often for as long as 10 days at a stretch. There, he mentored and encouraged volunteers, rendered care, saved lives, and organized medevac flights for those in dire need. Back-up was usually only available from other medevac airplanes and helicopters more than a hundred miles away.

Stories of Clark’s conduct are still fresh in the minds of the residents of Nye and Esmeralda County. In the middle of the night, as the lone provider along with a Deputy Sheriff, Chris Clark resuscitated a victim of cardiac arrest found on a lone stretch of U.S. Highway 95, called a helicopter from another agency, and sending her to a distant medical center, alive! Another time, he was summoned deep into the desert, where he located, treated, and transported to the airport where he climbed into a medevac airplane, personally delivering accident victim to a trauma center in Las Vegas. In 2017, following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Clark was first to volunteer and to be sent as the largest peacetime FEMA medevac deployment in history. His military deployment experiences were translated into key strategies that supported the logistics of over 350 other deployed paramedic’s, nurses, and pilots staffing sixty medevac aircraft operating in Texas.

Mobile healthcare is a reality that will continue to evolve and grow as the existing resources in rural Nevada continue to dwindle. Saving lives can be stressful, frustrating, exhausting, and even unpleasant. Chris once noted that the challenges of saving lives in rural Nevada could be far more difficult than doing the same in Afghanistan! Emergency responders like Flight Paramedic Christopher Clark are our “Stars of Life” and deserve to be celebrated. If you were to ask Chris why he tirelessly sacrifices of himself, he’d tell you that it is simply the right thing to do; an innate value difficult to describe precisely. He knows and feels it: and AirMed thanks God that he does!

Congratulations to Jennifer Walters, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:59:12 GMT

Jennifer Walters
REMSA
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Paramedic Jennifer Walters was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She started her career in EMS in 2012 as an EMT. She graduated as valedictorian of her Paramedic class in 2017. She is also a newly certified EMS Instructor. She married her husband in 2014 and is expecting her first child in July. She has two dogs, Prim and Ru. In her free time, she enjoys remodeling her house, camping, and hunting.

Jennifer is being honored as a Nevada Star of life because she is an excellent Paramedic, teacher, and mentor. She provides outstanding service to our community and is a very involved member of our organization.

Congratulations to Daniel Moriarty, 2019 Nevada Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:38:38 GMT

Daniel Moriarty
REMSA
2019 Star of Life

Paramedic Daniel Moriarty is originally from Roseburg, Oregon. He and his parents moved to Reno in 2010. Soon after, he began to take an EMT class. He married his wife, Marian, in 2017 and has an 8 month old daughter, Madelynn. Daniel enjoys fly fishing in the Reno-Tahoe area, hiking, playing drums and hanging out with family and friends.

Recently, Daniel was dispatched to care for a Priority 1 unconscious patient. Upon the crew’s arrived, the gentleman was laying in his bed, lethargic, pale, and diaphoretic. He soon began to suffer multiple syncopal episodes. The team was aware of the patient’s history of congestive heart failure, and quickly took his vitals and put him on the cardiac monitor. Daniel and his partner immediately applied the pads and paced his heart successfully throughout transport. When the patient arrived at the hospital, he received a pacemaker, and was eventually discharged with a positive overall outcome. Daniel recalls that, “This was one call where I believe seconds mattered, and we were within seconds of saving this patient’s life.”

Daniel is being recognized as a Nevada Star of Life due to his excellent patient care, outstanding teaching skills, and the positive attitude that he brings to this profession.

Congratulations to Jenna Roxbury, 2019 Nevada Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 20:25:28 GMT

Jenna Roxbury
Flight Nurse
Mercy Air / Air Methods

Jenna Roxbury has served as a Registered Nurse (RN) for more than 10 years. She has extensive experience in Pediatrics, ranging from service in the Pediatric Oncology Bone Marrow transplant team in Phoenix, to special event staffing (to include Life is Beautiful, Electric Daisy Carnival and Burning Man), and most recently HEMS. She currently lends her talents to Mercy Air in Pahrump, primarily supporting life-saving transports to Las Vegas from a very busy critical access hospital. Her credentials include Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), NRP Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), and she is Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) certified. Jenna is excited to be taking her Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) exam this month as well to further her credentials.

Jenna is a true healer in nature and in profession. Her life was changed forever after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2017, which she will tell you was the best thing to ever happen to her. As an RN working in Oncology, she was now the patient instead of the care provider. Finding herself in a vulnerable, life-threatening state only deepened her empathy and compassion for the patients she continues to serve. Jenna's drive and passion for life is noticed by all who she connects with—from patients, to peers, to community partners. She is so invested in her community that she recently accepted an offer to serve as a per diem RN at Desert View Hospital in Pahrump.

Jenna is a proud mother of two children and spends her free time as a Professional Cayoneer Guide. She visits Nepal annually to volunteer as a health care provider and to help in local orphanages.

Mercy Air is proud to recognize Jenna Roxbury as a 2019 Nevada Star of Life.

Congratulations to Matt Hauth, 2019 Nevada Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:25:42 GMT

Matt Hauth
REMSA
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Matt Hauth began his EMS career as a field provider before finding his niche in the Comm Center. He has now served REMSA as a Communications Supervisor for more than three years. This field experience has served Matt well, as he is able to bridge the gap between the field and communications to drive excellence in operations and patient care. Most recently, Matt led a focus group to foster collaboration.

Congratulations to Kenny Kitts, 2019 Nevada Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:12:45 GMT

Kenny Kitts
REMSA
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Kenny has been with REMSA organization for more than 20 years in many different roles, including field Paramedic, Business Office Manager, Communications Manager, and Senior Data Analyst. Kenny has the ability to take real-world EMS perspective and experience and use objective data to drive our high-performance EMS organization.

Congratulations to Callie Fraser, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 19:02:13 GMT

Callie Fraser
MedicWest
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Callie Fraser has more than 18 years of experience in firefighting, emergency medical services, and first responder trauma care. Callie started her career in the United States Air Force as a Flight Medic with Combat Search & Rescue (CSAR) teams. During her military service, she trained and worked closely with Combat Medics and trauma surgeons while involved in Combat Rescue Operations.

After leaving the military, Callie entered service as a Firefighter Paramedic. Her uniquely diverse experience includes working in coastal, urban, and major metropolitan environments. Throughout Callie’s career, her roles have included Field Training Officer, developing department-wide strategic and tactical operations planning, fire suppression and prevention, and emergency medical advanced life support.

Callie is currently a MedicWest Paramedic where she works in a fast paced, high volume, major metropolitan system unlike any other. She presently covers the northeast area of Las Vegas, NV, which leads the valley in homicides, violent crime, and emergency medical calls. Callie is part of the Tactical Emergency Medical Support Team Cadre and one of the lead instructors for the Las Vegas Stop the Bleed campaign. Callie holds numerous professional certifications to include National Registry Paramedic, board certified Flight Paramedic and Tactical Paramedic, NAEMT Instructor, and American Heart Association Instructor.

Congratulations to Leslie Shaffer, 2019 NV Star of Life!

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 18:26:38 GMT

Leslie Shaffer
AMR Las Vegas
2019 Nevada Star of Life

Leslie Shaffer has served as a Critical Care Paramedic and instructor for AMR Las Vegas since 2005, following terms as an EMS provider in Arizona and Oregon. She has also worked as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic and preceptor for Careflight. Additionally, Leslie has cared for patients in emergency departments across the Las Vegas valley, working seamlessly with other healthcare professionals to save lives. A native to Las Vegas, she is also a member of AMR Las Vegas’ first-ever Tactical EMS team.

Leslie holds certifications to teach Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) through NAEMT, and facilitates classes throughout the Las Vegas valley and across the US. She also holds paramedic instructor certifications in several other EMS-related subjects, and guest teaches for the Valley Health System. Most recently, she has been asked to provide Stop the Bleed training to students in the Clark County School District.

Leslie is one of the lead Stop the Bleed instructors in Las Vegas. In fact, since January 2018, she and her co-instructor have trained more than 10,000 people in the Las Vegas valley. They are frequently invited to EMS operations, venues, and corporations across the country to teach this valuable life-saving class. Leslie and her co-instructor have also made Narcan training a success in Las Vegas.

In addition to working in the field as a paramedic and teaching classes, Leslie is a wife and mom to three kids. She is currently finishing up her prerequisites for PA school, and hopes to apply to Touro University in Las Vegas in the fall.

Photos from the January Executive Committee & Board Meeting

Amanda Riordan — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 20:20:38 GMT

Visit the Nevada Ambulance Association Facebook page to see pictures from today's NAA Executive Committee & Board meetings! Go now>

Fundraisers for Ryan Nelson and Eric Thyr

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 13:38:36 GMT

Our hearts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of our EMS brothers Ryan Nelson and Eric Thyr of Community Ambulance. Ryan was tragically killed and Eric critically injured during an accidental discharge. Please keep them in your thoughts. If you are able to give in support of their families, links are below:

Welcome, NAA Board!

Amanda Riordan — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 15:49:06 GMT

Congratulations to the inaugural board of directors for the Nevada Ambulance Association. We thank them for their service and commitment to mobile healthcare!

NAA is on social media!

Amanda Riordan — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 16:29:24 GMT

Follow the Nevada Ambulance Association on Twitter, and like us on Facebook to keep up to date with the latest and greatest in EMS in our state.