News

MacKenzie Mills
EMT
Boston EMS

On Sunday March 14th, while working in Ambulance 22, Boston EMS EMT Mackenzie Mills and her partner, EMT Cassandra Cohen, came upon a 3-story building in Dorchester with fire showing on the top floor. After alerting Dispatch Operations of the fire, prompting a Fire Department response, they entered the building. Without regard for their own safety, they heroically went floor to floor, ensuring all occupants safely evacuated the building. EMT Mills and EMT Cohen reflect the highest standards of EMS professionals.

Cassandra Cohen
EMT
Boston EMS

On Sunday March 14th, while working in Ambulance 22, Boston EMS EMT Cassandra Cohen and her partner, EMT Mackenzie Mills, came upon a 3-story building in Dorchester with fire showing on the top floor. After alerting Dispatch Operations of the fire, prompting a Fire Department response, they entered the building. Without regard for their own safety, they heroically went floor to floor, ensuring all occupants safely evacuated the building. EMT Cohen and EMT Mills reflect the highest standards of EMS professionals.

Shannon Regan
Paramedic & Field Training Officer
County Ambulance

Shannon began her career at County Ambulance Service in 2009 as a Basic EMT. Shannon received her Paramedic certification in 2012 and is constantly working to increase her knowledge and competency. She has attained her certification as an ACLS instructor and tactical combat casualty care. Shannon has become on of County's lead ALS field training officers.

Shannon is tenacious in her review and knowledge of the statewide treatment protocols and company policies. She is known for clinical excellence and ability to keep teamwork at the forefront when dealing with complicated calls. She also has an excellent rapport with her orientees always providing real time evaluations and feedback. She is not afraid to share her vast knowledge of emergency care at the street level as well as the hospital setting always striving to make the system better.

When not at work this happy go lucky professional can be found hiking the many trails in the Berkshires or at the beach with her son (Noah), if this wasn't enough Shannon is affectionately known as the chicken queen raising them in her off time.

County Ambulance is proud of the impact Shannon makes and call her a Star of Life!

Chris Farley
Critical Care Transport EMT
Boston Medflight

Boston MedFlight was fortunate to hire Chris in February 2020. Although he had worked in EMS in the Merrimack Valley since 2011, he clearly explained to us that he wanted to assure he had the experience and knowledge necessary before moving into critical care transport with Boston MedFlight. Chris was a standout EMT providing BLS 911 emergency services to Lawrence General Hospital prior to BMF and he has continued that performance ever since.

Almost immediately after Chris completed training and orientation with Boston MedFlight, we were confronted with the COVID pandemic onslaught. Chris helped develop our COVID protection and decontamination protocols and assured all our crews were adequately trained. Not a showy guy, Chris is the quiet professional who can always be counted on to ensure quality patient care. He maintains a spotless safe driving record, cleans the trucks without anyone asking, inspects his vehicle thoroughly, writes up discrepancies and does all the daily work expected of an EMT professional. It is the things he does beyond the job description that make him a Star. He motivates his crew when the shift gets long; he assists the nurse and paramedics with restocking and decontaminating the vehicles; he provides bedside care and support for our patients, and their family members; and readily offers his time to cover open shifts or reposition vehicles for maintenance.

Few would know it, but Chris began his working life as a professional baseball player. Pitching in the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals organizations, Chris spend nearly ten years in the minor leagues before an injury led him to a second career in healthcare. And he chose his second career wisely. His friendly, unassuming demeanor exudes caring confidence that makes him popular with our patients, families and crews.

Chris is the whole package: a talented healthcare provider, a dedicated employee, a caring individual, and a friend to his coworkers. He is truly deserving of the Star of Life award and recognition.

Fred Jeffries
Critical Care Transport Paramedic
Boston Medflight

Fred Jeffries, EMT-P, came to Boston MedFlight in January 2011 as an experienced flight paramedic. Fred had spent years learning and perfecting his critical care transport skills working for helicopter air ambulance providers in Northern California.

Fred immediately adapted to his new environment and the wide scope of critical care Boston MedFlight provides to our region. After only a few years on the line as a shift paramedic, Fred volunteered to become a preceptor and eventually clinical educator for Boston MedFlight. As an educator, Fred has the tremendous responsibility to educate and orient new clinical staff. He often takes new hires from general nursing or trauma care nursing experience to critical care expertise. Additionally, through his personal interest in safety, he has taken on the role as our crew resource management trainer, understanding and teaching that essential communication link between the aviation and clinical professionals.

Many people see problem areas, but Fred is the person who sees the problem and takes action! Fred recognized a lack of familiarization and safety training for clinical staff flying in our turboprop airplane. This lack of familiarization caused a hesitance for crews to transport patients in this vehicle. Tackling the problem head on, Fred developed a training syllabus that addressed many areas of concern, taught safety procedures and included hands-on simulation, inflight to gain acceptance by the crews. His training program has been a model for our other vehicle indoctrination program.

Fred Jeffries is a talented clinician and educator, a caring healthcare professional and truly deserving of the Star of Life award and recognition.

Erica Bulshey
Advanced EMT
County Ambulance

Erica joined County Ambulance Service as a Basic EMT in 2008 after serving as a volunteer first responder with the Florida Fire Department beginning 2001. She became an Advanced EMT in 2011 and is currently studying to obtain her paramedic certification.

Erica has always been known for her willingness to help under any circumstances but has really made her mark during the pandemic. She was one of the original members of the County Ambulance COVID response team. Erica has taken a lead role on the team helping coordinate the many testing operations and most recently assisting with our vaccination site efforts.

When not at work caring for those in need or one of our many testing/vaccinations sites Erica enjoys her greatest hobby - being a "fur" mom to her three dogs (Jax, Sadie and Luna)!

We at County Ambulance are proud to call Erica a star!

Stacy Caterina
MIH Paramedic
Cataldo Ambulance

Like many in EMS, Stacy got her start after a traumatic incident. Her father,a State Police officer, was killed in a motorcycle accident. It was a Lynn Fire Rescue paramedic that suggested EMS as a career option for her. Starting as an EMT with Cataldo eleven years ago, changed her life. The recipient of a paramedic scholarship, Stacy has become a seasoned clinician who now supports other paramedics and has recently gone on to become a MIH paramedic, furthering her dedication to caring for those in need.

When she’s not in uniform as a paramedic, Stacy Caterina still uses her time to support others. One place you might find her is training local fire departments on the use of autism-friendly techniques. Raised in Lynn and living in Peabody, she has always been focused on supporting her community. In part due to her efforts, local fire rescue teams now integrate these new skills in support of the autism community. She has also raised thousands of dollars to support impoverished families in Lynn, and regularly rallies fellow EMS colleagues to support shelters, DCF and Head Start programs.

The parent of an autistic child, a full time mom raising four children and juggling a busy schedule, Stacy always has time to share her energy and enthusiasm for her patients and her community. She has had significant challenges to face, and through each she has found a way to create something of value, enriching other people’s lives in the process.

Chris Bargmann
Paramedic
Northern Berkshire EMS

After many years in another industry Chris Bargmann wanted a career where he could serve people in a more caring and compassionate role. Receiving his EMT certificate in Minnesota in 2013 he then relocated to Western Massachusetts where he worked for Action Ambulance (2016-current) primarily out of the Hadley Fire Department location. He took a short break to recover from open heart surgery then decided he wanted to do more in his EMS role. He continued to work full time at Action while going to school to receive his Paramedic License. With that in hand was offered an opportunity to work at the esteemed Northampton Fire Department (2020) as a Fire/Medic while still helping at Action Ambulance when needed.

He was honored to be working with Northampton Fire but was offered a position with the non-profit organization Northern Berkshire EMS (2020-Current) in North Adams where he could continue his career of caring directly for patients as a medic. The family feel of NBEMS was a much better fit him and he remains there today caring for the people of North Adams Massachusetts.

Chris is one of the most caring providers around. he is a true representation of what it means to be a Paramedic/healthcare provider. His willingness to learn, hardworking mentality and his integrity help to inspire others around her. Many seek Chris out as a mentor due to his easy going and calm demeanor. Nobody is ever a bother and Chris is very easy to speak with. When he is not cleaning the station or washing his truck, Chris has been found helping others study for exams both in EMS and Nursing. It is with that; we are honored to submit Paramedic Chris Bargmann for the Star of Life award.

Antonio Velazquez
EMT
Patriot Ambulance

Antonio "Tony" Velazquez began his career at Patriot back in November 2009. He took after his Father who spent 30 years working as an EMT. Tony excels at providing compassionate care and comfort to all of his patients, often putting a smile on their faces with his humor. He is a great mentor to new and seasoned employees. He is also an amazing Grandfather to his 4-month-old grandson. We are proud that he is a part of the Patriot family!

Camron Kennedy
Paramedic
Patriot Ambulance

Camron Kennedy came to Patriot Ambulance in January of 2020 after spending 2-1/2 years in Louisiana as a critical care Paramedic. His knowledge and experience came right along with him - making him a great mentor to his co-workers. Camron's positive attitude and willingness to help others is truly inspiring. His patient care is second to none. We are proud that he is a part of the Patriot family!