Mass. Ambulance Association Hosts ‘Convoy of Champions’

05/17/2021

PRESS RELEASE

BEDFORD, MA—The Massachusetts Ambulance Association (MAA) will celebrate the dedication of the commonwealth’s EMS professionals during the 46th Annual National EMS Week. On May 18, the MAA will host the second annual Convoy of Champions ambulance parade as well as the first-ever Massachusetts Stars of Life awards ceremony to recognize specific field providers for their personal contributions to their communities.

The Convoy of Champions will depart UMass Medical Science Park in Worcester at noon on Tuesday May 18, 2021, with an expected arrival at Boston MedFlight in Bedford at 1 p.m. Participating ambulance providers hail from across Massachusetts and will be escorted on the highway by the Massachusetts State Police. A UMass Memorial LifeFlight air ambulance will also fly over the parade route.

At the inaugural Massachusetts Ambulance Association Stars of Life event, 22 mobile healthcare professionals will be honored with medallions in recognition of their service. The Massachusetts Stars of Life program showcases the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession in our state. The program recognizes the dedication of these heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare infrastructure, especially in the face of the crucial role that mobile healthcare has provided in COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Speakers will include MAA President Dennis Cataldo, Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes, and 2021 Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians (MACEP) ER Physician of the Year Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham Hospital. U.S. Senator Edward Markey and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito will appear via video to congratulate the honorees.

The 2021 Massachusetts Stars of Life are:

Chris Bargmann, Paramedic, Northern Berkshire EMS
Todd Beaudet, EMT, Atlantic Ambulance Service
George Beckwith, EMT, Northern Berkshire EMS
Erica Bulshey, Advanced EMT, County Ambulance Service
Stacy Caterina, Paramedic/MIH Paramedic, Cataldo Ambulance
Shaun Churchill, Paramedic/Base Supervisor, Armstrong Ambulance Service
Cassandra Cohen, EMT, Boston EMS
Mark Davenport, EMT, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Ambulance Service
Chris Farley, Critical Care Transport EMT, Boston MedFlight
Ronald Gigliotti, EMS Lieutenant, Worcester EMS
Ross Griffin, EMT/Field Training Officer, Armstrong Ambulance Service
Kristen Hunter, EMT, Action Ambulance Service Inc.
Shawn Hunter, EMT-B, Education Manager, Trinity EMS
Fred Jeffries, Critical Care Transport Paramedic, Boston MedFlight
Camron Kennedy, Paramedic, Patriot Ambulance
Kevin LaPierre, Paramedic, Action Ambulance Service Inc.
Mackenzie Mills, EMT, Boston EMS
Lana Poirier, Paramedic, Trinity EMS
Shannon Regan, Paramedic/Field Training Officer, County Ambulance Service
Patrick Ring, Paramedic, Worcester EMS
Glen Timmons, Mobile Healthcare Paramedic, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Ambulance Service
Antonio Velazquez, EMT, Patriot Ambulance