PRIDEStar EMS Paramedics Bobby Thorne and Samantha Kuenzler stand in front of a MedFlight helicopter with their Stars of Life medallions from the Massachusetts Ambulance Association. (Photo Courtesy PRIDEStar EMS) 
A Massachusetts State Trooper escorts the Massachusetts Ambulance Association Convoy of Champions to the Bedford headquarters of MedFlight on May 17. (Photo Courtesy PRIDEStar EMS) 
A Trinity EMS ALS ambulance driven by Paramedics Bobby Thorne and Samantha Kuenzler pulls into MedFlight headquarters in Bedford as part of the Massachusetts Ambulance Association’s Convoy of Champions. (Photo Courtesy PRIDEStar EMS) 
From left, EMT Greg Brierley, Paramedic Bobby Thorne, Paramedic Samantha Kuenzler, and EMT Marialejandra Agudelo stand in front of a MedFlight helicopter. Brierley and Agudelo participated in the Convoy of Champions. (Photo Courtesy PRIDEStar EMS) 
A group photo including all those who earned Stars of Life medallions from the Massachusetts Ambulance Association. (Photo Courtesy PRIDEStar EMS) PRIDEStar EMS Paramedics Bobby Thorne and Samantha Kuenzler stand in front of a MedFlight helicopter with their Stars of Life medallions from the Massachusetts Ambulance Association. (Photo Courtesy PRIDEStar EMS)
LOWELL – PRIDEStar EMS proudly shares that two paramedics have been honored with Stars of Life medallions by the Massachusetts Ambulance Association after taking part in the annual Convoy of Champions ambulance convoy during National EMS Week.
On Tuesday, May 17, PRIDEStar EMS joined with other emergency medical companies from across the Commonwealth for the third annual Massachusetts Ambulance Association Convoy of Champions. The ambulance convoy traveled from UMass Medical Science Park in Worcester to Boston MedFlight headquarters in Bedford, with an escort from Massachusetts State Police and a UMass Memorial LifeFlight air ambulance.
The convoy recognized the contributions of ambulance companies such as PRIDEStar during National EMS Week, recognized this year from May 15-21. The event concluded with recognition selected EMTs, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Dispatchers and other EMS support staff in the annual Stars of Life award ceremony.
Dr. John P. Broach, Director of the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Management for UMass Memorial Health, thanked all the Stars of Life for their tireless work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paramedics Bobby Thorne and Samantha Kuenzler were recognized with Stars of Life medallions as a result of performing approximately 18 minutes of CPR and using an automated external defibrillator to revive Steven St. Germaine after he suffered cardiac arrest at his home next to PRIDEStar’s Haverhill base.
Paramedic Kuenzler had spoken with St. Germaine earlier in the day while he was shoveling snow, and jokingly told him he likely lived in the safest house in Haverhill because he lives next door to PRIDEStar.
After reviving St. Germaine, Paramedics Kuenzler and Thorne transported the patient to Lawrence General Hospital, where he recovered.
“I am proud that PRIDEStar EMS could stand shoulder to shoulder with other emergency medical companies in Massachusetts to recognize the lifesaving work of individuals like Samantha, Bobby, and all of their colleagues whose work was so exemplary,” said Founder and CEO David Daly. “These EMTs and Paramedics distinguished themselves amid a life-changing and deadly pandemic, and they deserve all of the recognition we could ever provide.”
About the Massachusetts Ambulance Association
The Massachusetts Ambulance Association’s membership is composed of more than 30 ambulance service providers from across the Commonwealth. MAA’s 6,000 employees provide 70% of the emergency medical services transports in Massachusetts. Together, MAA members advocate for high-quality, sustainable mobile healthcare.