The Massachusetts Ambulance Association (MAA) celebrated the exceptional dedication of the Commonwealth’s emergency medical services (EMS) professionals during the 46th Annual National EMS Week. On May 18, the MAA hosted 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.

A parade of ambulances (“Convoy of Champions”) departed UMass Medical Science Park in Worcester at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 18, and arrived at Boston MedFlight in Bedford at 1:00pm. Participating ambulance providers hail from across Massachusetts and were escorted on the highway by the Massachusetts State Police. A UMass Memorial LifeFlight air ambulance also performed a fly over the parade route.

Speakers included MAA President Dennis Cataldo, Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes, and 2021 Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians (MACEP) ER Physician of the Year Dr. Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham Hospital. US Senator Edward Markey and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito will appear via video as well 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

·       Kevin Robischeau, Paramedic, Fallon Ambulance / Transformative Health Care

·       Yianni Smiliotopoulos, Field Training Officer, Fallon Ambulance / Transformative Health Care

·       Robert Tetreault, EMT, LifeLine Ambulance / Transformative Health Care

·       Glen Timmons, Mobile Healthcare Paramedic, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Ambulance Service

·       Antonio Velazquez, EMT, Patriot Ambulance