Past Stars of Life Honorees

2015 Stars of Life Honorees

April 15, 2015 — For the 9th consecutive year, Community Care Ambulance (CCA) has joined the American Ambulance Association (AAA) to recognize exemplary medical transportation service providers by traveling to Washington D.C. to celebrate the STARS of Life Program. Critical Intensive Care Paramedic Eric Dugan, Wheelchair Van Technician Stephen Heglund, and Human Resources/Executive Administrator Nicole Perry were three Community Care Ambulance team members chosen to receive this prestigious award through a nomination from their peers and leadership at CCA.

Eric Dugan, EMTP CICP.

Eric Dugan has provided the EMS Industry with over twenty-two years of dedicated Paramedic service and serving our country as a Combat Medic for the Pennsylvania National Guard for over 20 years.

Eric is currently a Critical Intensive Care Paramedic who started his career with Community Care Ambulance (CCA) in 2006. Eric is also engaged in a number of initiatives – he has been instrumental in training and developing field staff through new hire orientation and continuous education; Eric is also an American Heart Association instructor facilitating both BLS and ACLS programs for CCA; Eric coordinates CCA’s controlled and non-controlled medications for a major portion of CCA’s service area; Eric also completed CCA’s behavioral-based interview training and is an active member of CCA’s employee engagement interview team with a critical role in the new hire selection process.

Eric’s exemplary work ethic is a role model for CCA team members. Eric maintains a consistent high level of performance while deftly balancing a busy family life. Eric and Barb are approaching their thirtieth wedding anniversary. Together, they have three amazing children who are in different stages of starting their own families and careers.

Eric’s strength comes from his family. Eric and his family are providing in home care to Eric’s father who is currently going through advanced stages of dementia. Eric smiles at any mention of his family and is always good for a story about an adventure.

Eric received multiple nominations from his peers. One nomination stated in part, “he is a go to person that needs minimal direction and enjoys being part of solutions…” Eric Dugan is an exemplary performer and role model and Community Care Ambulance is thrilled Eric is receiving the very much deserved recognition as a 2015 AAA Star of Life.

Stephen Heglund, Wheelchair Technician.

Stephen is an outgoing and charismatic person. Stephen joined CCA in 2007 as a Wheel Chair Technician and continues to make his patients and coworkers smile on a daily basis. Stephen is often requested by patients and the recipient of many KUDOS, which are comments of appreciation directly from patients and customers. CCA patients are in good hands with Stephen as he always takes the extra step to ensure his customers are comfortable and receive appropriate care.

Stephen is dedicated and loyal and an inspiration to others, he strives for ways to seek improvement, both personal and professional. The Communication Center team members enjoy working with Stephen and continuously voice that he is accommodating and personable.

Stephen and wife Linda have been married almost fourteen years and are proud grandparents of several grandchildren. Stephen is active in his church choir and music plays a big part of his life. Stephen is very dedicated to his family and enjoys spending his free time with them.

Stephen makes an effort every day to be positive and brighten the day for others. He consistently says hello with a big smile and offers a helping hand whenever and wherever needed. Stephen received multiple nominations from his peers. One of his nominations stated in part, “Stephen has a great personality and is very caring towards the other staff and the patients.”

Community Care Ambulance is very fortunate to have Stephen on our team and we all share in the excitement of the due recognition Stephen is receiving from being selected as a 2015 AAA Star of Life recipient.

Nicole Perry, HR/Exec Admin.

Nicole Perry has exceptional skills and abilities and motivation to ensure the needs of Community Care Ambulance (CCA) team members are met in a timely fashion. CCA’s continued success is highly supported by Nicole’s efforts as she enables CCA team members to focus their attention on serving CCA patients and customers resulting in superior satisfaction. She joined CCA in May 2013 at the beginning of a significant growth period and she has been instrumental in streamlining processes to continually improve administration efficiency and effectiveness.

Nicole’s approach to her role of Human Resources and Executive Administration focuses on CCA team members as internal customers. Nicole treats everyone with respect and continuously exhibits professionalism in her interactions. This is evident through the CCA AAA STARS nomination process as CCA selects STARS who have been nominated by their peers, Nicole received multiple nominations expressing appreciation for all that she does to set team members up for success.

One of the nominations submitted from a prior STAR stated in part – “Nicole is one of the first interactions with new hires and she interacts with everyone in the organization, despite the daunting task of responding to all the different needs of the organization’s staff, she does so in a very upbeat and cheerful fashion. Nicole is a pleasure to work with and I believe Nicole represents the heart of the organization very well.”

Nicole earned a Dual Associate Degree in Equine Business Management/Therapy Entrepreneurship from Hocking College and owns Quality Fields, LLC a horse boarding business in northeast Ohio.

Nicole applies her business education and ownership experience effectively to her role at CCA through exceptional customer service and a continuous improvement approach.

CCA would also like to recognize and congratulate the additional 38 team members that were nominated as possible participants in the STARS program in Washington D.C. The nominees were – Mark Adams, Brankica Balaban, Michael Bernato, William Buettner, Mark Camplese, Elena Caruso, Allison Chavero, Larry Clay, Jason Coy, Gail Deemer, Dwayne DeLille, Charles Deutsch, Tonya Eging, Mike Ferron, Mario Fioritto, Laura Fuchs, Dan Goodale, Mike Goodwill, Tim Hall, Alan Hensley, Kayla Holland, Richard James, Charlotte Lott, Josh Lynch, Eric Massie, Chris Matlin, Tom Nobilio, James Puffenbarger, Jonathan Richardson, Richard Schoville, Denise Sells, Micky Simko, Dawn Spriggs, Amanda Steele, Rita Stroyny, Jeff Tennant, Matt Urie, Kyle White.