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40 Under 40: Rising Leaders in Medical Transport


CONGRATULATIONS to the WINNERS
of the 2025 40 Under 40:
Rising Leaders in Medical Transport Awards!

 

  • Cassandra Asberry, EMT-P, NFP, FP-C; LifeFlight/Allegheny General Hospital  
  • Bree Aust, MBA, MSN, RN, CFRN, CMTE; HCA Houston AirLife 
  • Mira Baldwin, MHA, BSN, RN, CCRN, CFRN, EMT; UNC Carolina Air Care
  • Othman Basawil, MBA, CMTE, FP-C; Alpha Star Air Ambulance
  • William Belk, M.Sc; Air Methods, Inc
  • James Boomhower, LMHC-A, FP-C, NR-P, LIFT-C; Boston MedFlight
  • Sean Bryan, MBA-HM, BSN, RN; REVA, Inc
  • Jonathan Carolla, BSc, NRP, FPC, NCEE; Penn State Health Life Lion
  • Andrew Cathers, MD, FAEMS, DRTM; UW Health Med Flight
  • Tyler Christifulli, FP-C; FOAMfrat
  • Jermaine Clayborne, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CFRN, FP-C, University of Virginia
  • Amanda Davis, MBA, BSN, RNC-NIC, EMT-B, CMTE, C-NPT; Cook Children's Teddy Bear Transport
  • Jamie Eastman, RN, NRP; Boston MedFlight
  • Vahe Ender, NRP, FP-C; Boston MedFlight
  • Mandy Gainey, BSN, CFRN; GMR
  • John Garcia, USAF - IDMT Flight Paramedic; Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
  • Nicholas George, MD; NSW Health/Wespac Rescue Helicopter & The ETHOS Database
  • Adam Gottula, MD; University of Minnesota
  • Robert Grabowski, DNP, MBA, APRN-CNP, AGACNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CEN, CCRN, CFRN, C-NPT, CMTE, CAC, CACO, EMT-P; Critical Care Transport Solutions, LLC
  • Shauna Hadgraft, BSN, RN, CFRN, EMT-B; UNC Carolina Air Care
  • Jason Herman, DNP, RN, NREMT, TCRN, CFRN, NE-BC, CMTE;  PHI Air Medical
  • Amanda Humphries, MD, FAEMS; HealthNet Aeromedical Services
  • Sam Ireland, NRP, FP-C, CCP, FOAMfrat
  • Jacob Keller, RN, NRP, CMTE; Sidney Health Center Care Flight, Williston Care Flight, Altru Care Flight
  • Jordan Kelly, BSN, PM, CFRN, FP-C, CMTE, LIFT-C; UnityPoint Health - LifeGuard Air Ambulance
  • Zachary Lancaster, RN, BSN, BPH, CMTE, CFRN, CEN, TCRN, EMT-P; Wellstar MCG AirCare
  • Widmac Laterion, BS, NRP, FP-C, C-NPT; Boston MedFlight
  • Ashley Lutrick, DO; ECU Health EastCare, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine - Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS
  • Michael McCartin, MD; The University of Chicago Aeromedical Network (UCAN)  
  • Jacob Miller, DNP, MBA, ACNP, ENP-C, CNS, NRP, FAEN, FAMES; UC Health Air Care & Mobile Care
  • Stephen Mills, CFC, ACS; AirMed International
  • Dylan Morris, MD; UPMC Center for Emergency Medicine | STAT MedEvac
  • Nicholas North, MSNc, RN, NRP, CFRN, CCRN, CTRN, CEN, FP-C, C-NPT; UMass Memorial Life Flight
  • Robert O'Donnell, NRP, FP-C, WP-C; Boston MedFlight
  • Lesley Osborn, MD; UCHealth LifeLine, University of Colorado-Anschutz
  • Jessica Rispoli, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CMTE, CFRN, CEN, PHRN; ECU Health
  • Kevin Rixmann, BSN, RN, NRP, CCRN, CSC, CFRN; Life Link III/University of Minnesota
  • Chris Root, MD, University of New Mexico Hospitals Lifeguard Emergency and Critical Care Transport
  • Benjamin Smith, MD, FAMPA; UNC Carolina Air Care
  • John Stevenson, EMT-P, FP-C; Life Flight Network
  • Lucas Stoflet, Life Link III
  • Kami Stone, MSN, RN, NE-B; Texas Children's Hospital Kangaroo Crew
  • Stephanie Suzadail, MSN, MA, RN, PHRN, CFRN, CTRN, CEN, CPEN, CBRN, TCRN, CNPT, SANE; Air Methods, Inc

See a FULL LIST of 2025 Finalists for the 2025 40 Under 40 Awards.

The future of the medical transport industry is in great hands

with such a fantastic group of Rising Leaders!

RISING LEADERS
REAL IMPACT.

Celebrating the Next Generation
of Industry Trailblazers

 

Do you know a rising star who's redefining what it means to lead in medical transport?
 Nominations set to open in Spring of 2026.

Welcome to the "40 Under 40: Rising Leaders in Medical Transport" awards program! This prestigious initiative recognizes young professionals making a meaningful and measurable impact across the multiple disciplines of the medical transport industry.

From clinical care to communications to operations to safety to leadership, we’re looking for individuals across the entire medical transport community who embody excellence, innovation, and leadership in their work.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees must:

  • Be under the age of 40 or under as December 31, 2026.
  • Be currently employed in the air medical transport industry in any discipline or have made a significant contribution/impact on the industry.
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, or contributions within their role or area of expertise.

Nominee Applications and Process

Nominate a rising leader in a few easy steps:

  1. Visit the AAMS Awards Website when nominations open for 2026 to submit a rising leader who is making an impact on the industry. Self-nominations are allowed and highly encouraged (with a letter of support from your supervisor and/or industry leader).
  2. Submit a short narrative (300 words or less) showcasing the nominee’s leadership story! Perhaps through championing change or implementing new organizational processes- or leading innovative research or being an advocate for a meaningful cause, we want to hear what makes this leader stand out. Be sure to include demonstrated leadership examples as well as professional growth and development and impact on the industry.
  3. Provide a copy of the nominee’s resume or link to their LinkedIn profile that highlights their professional achievements and career progression.

That’s it! Applications will be evaluated by a group of industry leaders and winners will be announced by mid-summer 2026.

Stand Out with Awardee Recognition

All award recipients will be recognized at AMTC26 in Fort  Worth, TX* through the following:

  • Exclusive “40 Under 40” Networking Session: An exclusive session for “40 Under 40” award winners only to connect directly with your fellow peers.
  • Award Recipient & Certificate Reception: Invitation and recognition at the Award Recipient & Certificate Reception
  • AMTC25 Awards Ceremony: Formal recognition at the AMTC Awards Ceremony
  • Rising Leader Medallion: Award winners will receive an limited first edition Rising Leader medallion to wear at AMTC that signifies to the industry their tremendous accomplishment.

Award recipients will also receive:

  • A featured profile across multiple industry platforms, including the Air Medical Transport Journal and the AAMS website.
  • Further recognition through a press release and social media platforms.
  • Access to an exclusive community of “40 Under 40” awardees for ongoing collaboration and career growth.

*Expenses associated with attending AMTC26 will be at the awardee’s cost.