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Wisconsin Stars of Life Program

2017 Wisconsin Stars of Life Honorees

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin is pleased to announce the 2017 Wisconsin Stars of Life.  Each person was nominated by their local ambulance service, and will be presented with Stars of Life recognition and honors for their dedication and commitment.  The Stars of Life celebration is the most rewarding and exciting Wisconsin event in our field and is modeled after the American Ambulance Association's National Stars of Life.


2017 Wisconsin Stars of Life Honorees

Tami Aerts nominated by County Rescue Services

Chris Cuddy nominated by Gold Cross Ambulance

Christopher Dallas nominated by Valders Ambulance

Patrick Donoghue nominated by Bell Ambulance

Elizabeth Ferger-Olsen nominated by Paratech Ambulance Service

Angela Gonzalez nominated by Palmyra Public Safety Department

Jon Hagen nominated by Flight For Life

Paul Harrison nominated by Ryan Brothers Ambulance

Steve Hensley nominated by Tri-State Ambulance

Amanda Holtz nominated by Orange Cross Ambulance

Ryan Janus nominated by Bell Ambulance

Bob Kelter nominated by Baraboo EMS

David Krueger nominated by Grant EMS

Mary LaPorte nominated by Riverside Fire District 

Dr. Suzanne Martens nominated by Valders Ambulance

Lori McConochie nominated by Cambria Community Ambulance Service

David Mike nominated by Paratech Ambulance

Tyler Miller nominated by Tri-State Ambulance

Kenny Monteith nominated by Tri-State Regional Ambulance

Dan Morth nominated by Ellsworth Area Ambulance

Tom Pasch nominated by Ryan Brothers Ambulance

Brian Randall nominated by Gold Cross Ambulance

Russell Schafer nominated by Lodi Area EMS

Jeri Schiffman nominated by Tri-State Regional Ambulance

Sandra Steenweg nominated by Pickerel Rescue Squad

Bob Sternhagen (posthumous) nominated by Gold Cross Ambulance

Benjamin Waldera nominated by Divine Savior Healthcare EMS

Robert Whitton nominated by Paratech Ambulance Service

Mark Willer nominated by Baraboo EMS

The 2017 event was the tenth time PAAW has proudly presented the Wisconsin Stars of Life program.  This special event recognizes and honors the dedication of ambulance service professionals - people that stand out in every area of our field.


Schedule of Events

Stars of Life 2017 honorees were recognized at a series of events, to include a welcome reception, banquet dinner and awards program during the Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin Conference, Thursday, September 21, Green Bay, and in November at the State Capitol, Madison.

David Mike of Paratech Ambulance, Milwaukee, was selected to attend the National Stars of Life program in Washington, D.C., June 11 to 13, 2018.  PAAW will provide a $750 travel voucher, and the American Ambulance Association Foundation will provide a grant for hotel and event registration fees for the Star, Star's guest, and host (employer).



Dedication, Commitment, Heroism:  Key words that describe 2017 Stars of Life honorees


The 2017 Stars of Life honorees were recognized during two events on September 21, 2017, in Green Bay at Tundra Lodge Resort and Conference Center.

The program began with a welcome reception where each Star was introduced by their employer or family member.  Words of appreciation, dedication, commitment, to include stories of heroism, were frequently shared.  To mark the special occasion, each honoree received a gold Wisconsin Star of Life lapel pin.

Stars of Life, September 21, 2017, Green Bay
Photo courtesy of Logan Sechler, Sechler Photography

Next, came the dinner and awards program where each Star was recognized before an audience of 200 and formally presented Wisconsin Stars of Life honors.  Each honoree was presented with a custom engraved medallion and framed certificate of appreciation from Governor Scott Walker.  The dinner program was co-located with the Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin conference.

The evening concluded with the announcement David Mike with Paratech Ambulance Service, Milwaukee, was selected to represent Wisconsin at the 2018 National Stars of Life event in Washington, D.C.  The selection committee felt David's commitment to EMS and community touched every aspect in the suggested criteria for Stars of Life.  Tami Aerts with County Rescue Services, Green Bay, was selected as the alternate 2018 National Star of Life.  Photo insert, left to right, PAAW Vice President Larry Knuth, David Mike and PAAW President Patrick Ryan.

To review the 2017 Stars of Life program booklet and biographies on each Star honoree, >> click here.


Stars of Life honorees meet Governor Scott Walker

On November 29, the 2017 Wisconsin Stars of Life had the opportunity to represent EMS at the State Capitol.  The morning event brought together Star honorees for a welcome reception with legislators and Department of Health officials, as well as a meeting and photo opportunity with Governor Scott Walker in the Governor's Office.

2017 Wisconsin Star of Life honorees at the State Capitol event included, left to right, 
Bob Kelter nominated by Baraboo EMS, Tami Aerts nominated by County Rescue Services, Dan Morth nominated by Health Partners / Ellsworth Area Ambulance,
Amanda Holtz nominated by Orange Cross Ambulance, Mark Willer nominated by Baraboo EMS, Governor Scott Walker, Chris Cuddy nominated by Mayo/Gold Cross Ambulance, Benjamin Waldera nominated by Divine Savior Healthcare EMS,
Brian Randall nominated by Gold Cross Ambulance, David Mike nominated by Paratech Ambulance, Kenny Monteith nominated by Tri-State Regional Ambulance and Jeri Schiffman nominated by Tri-State Regional Ambulance.

Governor Walker shares words of congratulations and appreciation with the Stars of Life honorees during the Nov. 29 meeting.



2017 Stars of Life Honorees


Wisconsin Stars of Life Produced By



Affiliated with the National Stars Program

Stars of Life Sponsors


Gold Level



Silver Level





Bronze Level



In-kind Support



Previous Award Recipients

2017


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