A Kern County paramedic and EMT will join 141 peers from across the United States next month in Washington, DC, when they are honored as Stars of Life by the American Ambulance Association.  Stars of Life pays tribute to the dedication of these hometown heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare infrastructure.

Paramedic Sam Swanson and EMT Krystal Barboza were selected by Hall Ambulance as standout EMS professionals worthy of this recognition at our Nation’s Capital.  As Stars of Life honorees, they will meet with members of Congress and congressional aides to share their stories and unique perspectives as EMS workers.  Paramedic Swanson and EMT Barboza will receive a medallion and plaque in thanks for their lifesaving and life-sustaining service to the communities they serve in Kern County.

Paramedic Swanson is being honored for his 25 years with Hall Ambulance, during which he has exhibited a “whatever you need me to do” attitude.  Swanson joined the Company in 1999 as an EMT, working his way through the ranks as a paramedic, relief paramedic field supervisor, paramedic field supervisor, and paramedic preceptor.

For the past several years, Swanson has imparted his knowledge and experience to the next generation of EMS workers as an instructor for the Hall EMT Academy.  His teaching skills were recently showcased when 13 of 15 students passed the National Registry exam on their first attempt.

A graduate of the Hall EMT Academy, Krystal Barboza found her niche in connecting with and educating the community about the importance of emergency medical services.  As community outreach coordinator, Barboza is credited with helping to revitalize Hall Ambulance’s participation in community events, which had come to a halt due to the severe restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  She has also reestablished relationships with outreach peers of local public safety organizations.   So far this year, Barboza has participated in 71 events with 15 more scheduled through the end of the year.

American Ambulance Association President Randy Strozyk noted that, “EMS professionals work around-the-clock to deliver out-of-hospital care when it is needed most.” He continued, “We honor this year’s Stars of Life and thank them for their tireless service to local communities across the nation.”

Nashville — The American Ambulance Association (AAA) has named Lavonne C. Hall, chairman of the board and chief administrative officer of Hall Ambulance, as a recipient of the Vanguard Award.  The distinction honors women with at least 35 years of service who have blazed the trail for fellow female emergency medical services (EMS) professionals.

The presentation occurred last evening in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center during the President’s Reception at the American Ambulance Association’s Annual Conference. “The Vanguard Awards pay tribute to the exceptional women who’ve torn down walls and laid the groundwork for those who follow,” AAA President Randy Strozyk remarked.  “We’re honored to recognize and celebrate their contributions.”

Hall is one of 16 women from across the U.S. and the only one from California to be bestowed with the award this year. To be considered for nomination, the individual must have contributed to their organization, state ambulance association, AAA, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession in an extraordinary way beyond faithful completion of job duties.

“I am delighted and thankful to be receiving a Vanguard award,” a jubilant Hall remarked. “To be honored alongside women who have done incredible and inspiring work in EMS is humbling and a bit overwhelming. I have been lucky enough to have a career I love in an industry that still inspires me after 40 years.  To be recognized for that career is icing on the cake.”

In reflection, Hall explains how she feels fortunate to have started her EMS career at a company that welcomed and valued the contributions of female employees. “I remember my first day at Hall Ambulance Service as a new EMT; I was assigned to ride along on a double paramedic ambulance; both paramedics were women,” said Hall. “I was so inspired by their professionalism and confidence. They made sure I felt welcome and needed as a woman in an industry that most positions had been held by men.”

Ever since, Hall has drawn from that feeling of inclusion. “Looking back, I realize what a luxury it was not to have to force myself into a space but to be welcomed into it. I have carried that feeling with me and tried to make everyone, but especially women, feel that a space was already carved out for them, and they were welcome in it,” Hall explained.

Her first exposure to emergency medical services occurred at the age of five when the car she was riding in was struck by a train.  After a hectic ride to the hospital in the back of an ambulance, she knew that was what she wanted to do when she grew up.

She got her EMT Certificate from Reedley College in 1983, moved to Bakersfield, California, and started what will be celebrated as a 40-year career this August (and counting) with Hall Ambulance.

In the summer of 1986, she, and Hall Ambulance Founder (and Bakersfield’s 25th and longest-serving mayor) Harvey L. Hall discovered they had a shared love of car racing, which would soon turn into romance. They became engaged in 1987 and married in July 1989.

Hall worked as an EMT until 1991 when she progressed in her career by becoming a paramedic. For the next eight years, she staffed an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance in a bustling 9-1-1 system, priding herself on delivering compassionate patient care.

From 1999 to 2011, she was responsible for paramedic administrative support for the Company, which included providing daily support to the EMTs and paramedics, creating the daily shift schedule, assisting dispatch, and responding to mass casualty incidents.

Her next challenge was taking over as Hall Commercial Vehicle Service’s (HCVS) shop owner in 2011. In this capacity, Hall oversaw the daily operations of HCVS, including the procurement of materials, supplies, and other essentials needed to maintain the Hall Ambulance fleet and external fleet accounts. She hired and trained managers, supervisors, and support staff and ensured that the preventative maintenance and repairs were completed at the desired level of expectation.

In 2018, her world turned upside down when suddenly, her husband was diagnosed with the sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). As Mr. Hall’s illness progressed, he expressed a desire for her to serve as president and CEO of Hall Ambulance. Just two weeks and seven hours following diagnosis, he lost his battle with CJD on May 19 of that year.

Mrs. Hall suddenly found herself trying to come to grips with her husband’s sudden death, be there for her daughter and granddaughter, and take on the enormous task of leading a company with over 450 employees.  Despite being enormous shoes to fill, she rose to the occasion, providing exemplary leadership and ensuring continuity in operations based on her husband’s ideals of care, compassion, and community. Working with the CFO, COO, and a dedicated leadership team, Hall led the Company through the opening of the Harvey L. Hall EMS Academy, Hall Ambulance’s 50th Anniversary, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the acquisition of another service area, increasing Hall Ambulance’s coverage area to 94% of the population in Kern County, California.

In the summer of 2023, Hall announced that while remaining the sole owner of Hall Ambulance, she would reduce her daily involvement with the Company.  As chairman of the board and chief administrative officer, Hall remains engaged in matters of significance and importance.

Following her husband’s passing, she vowed to become an advocate to raise awareness and funds to support medical research on Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. She joined the board of the CJD Foundation, created the Harvey L. Hall Memorial Grant, and co-started Strides for CJD—Bakersfield, which has raised over $451,000 to support medical research and programs for the foundation over the past six years.

2024 Vanguard Award Winners

Lisa Camp | EMS Chief, Friendswood EMS | Friendswood, TX

Jennie Collins | EMS Director, Dare County EMS | Manteo, North Carolina

Michelle Golba-Norek | MICN, Director of EMS Education, HMH JFK EMS | New Jersey

Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne | Director, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health State Office of EMS | St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Lavonne C. Hall | Chairman of the Board and CAO, Hall Ambulance Service | Bakersfield, CA

Kathy Hilton | AEMT, Billing Administrator, Trainer, Beaverhead Emergency Medical Services | Dillon, MT

Vicki Messer | Paramedic, retired | Jasper, TN

Carole A. Myers | Retired, Myers Ambulance Service | Greenwood, IN

J.L. (Matt) Netski | Administration Manager, American Medical Response/Medic West | Nevada

Suzanne Prentiss | Executive Director, American Trauma Society | New Hampshire

Jill C. Ridenhour | EMS Coordinator, Summit Fire and EMS | Silverthorne, CO

Ailyn Feir Risch | Paramedic Project Manager, American Medical Response | Commerce City, CO

Stacie Selmi | EMS Operations Supervisor, REMSA Health | Sparks, NV

Leslee Stein Spencer | Senior EMS Advisor, IL Dept. of Public Health | Chicago, IL

Jennifer A. Swab | Paramedic/Training Coordinator, Foxwall EMS | Pittsburgh, PA

Dawn “Lainey” Volk | Director of Outreach & Community Paramedicine, San Juan Island EMS | Friday Harbor, Washington

About the American Ambulance Association

The American Ambulance Association safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education.  AAA advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering its members to serve their communities with high-quality on-demand healthcare.  For more than 40 years, AAA has proudly represented those who care for people first.

The Vanguard Awards are presented in collaboration with Women in Emergency Services (WiES), an organization dedicated to supporting and advancing women’s careers in the emergency services industry through empowerment, networking, mentorship, and education.

About Hall Ambulance

Founded in 1971 by Harvey L. Hall, Hall Ambulance Service, Inc. is the 9-1-1 paramedic provider for 94% of Kern County, California’s population, including Bakersfield, Arvin, Lamont, Frazier Park, Tehachapi, California City, Mojave, Rosamond, Boron, Taft, Shafter, Wasco, Delano, and surrounding communities.

After ten weeks of full-time, intensive training, eleven recruits graduated from Class 45 of the Hall EMT Academy.  The ceremony took place on Tuesday, December 19 at 3 p.m. at The Collective, 931 19^th Street in downtown Bakersfield.

EMTs work on the front line of emergency medical services.  They provide or assist with patient care and safe transport to the hospital by ambulance.

Established in 2001, the Hall EMT Academy provides individuals with free, paid training as they prepare to become emergency medical technicians.  Upon completing the program, they are guaranteed a full-time position with Hall Ambulance, where they will respond to 9-1-1 calls for medical aid as Kern County first responders.

Training began on September 12 at the Harvey L. Hall EMS Academy and covered company orientation, healthcare provider CPR, and the EMT course in which they were taught about patient assessments, airway management, pharmacology, shock & resuscitation, medical and trauma emergencies, mass casualty incidents, and more.

All 11 students passed the rigorous NREMT Exam on their first attempt and are currently obtaining their state and county EMT certificates.  They will soon begin five weeks of on-the-job training with a field training officer.

The starting wage for a new Hall EMT is $43,825.60/year, plus an extensive benefits package.

Congratulations to the graduates of Class 45 of the Hall EMT Academy:

Priscilla Barajas-Salgado

Brayden Eugene Bergeron

Kristofer David Downey

Justin Finney

Daniel Gonzalez Nuñez

Haley Danielle Heck

Ricardo Angulo-Lopez

Selene Guadalupe Orozco

Angie Maria Salguero España

Kathie Salguero

Guillermo David Toledo

On May 25, Hall Ambulance presented its Annual Founder’s Awards, recognizing the employee of the year for each division within the Company.  In addition, the President’s Award for Customer Service was presented to EMT Vladimir Dragosavlevich, and the Founder’s Award for Management Excellence was presented to Jenny Ramirez, director of HR.

Congratulations to Hall Ambulance’s Employees of the Year:

Paramedic Shrey Patel, relief supervisor
Paramedic of the Year

EMT Felipe Hernandez II
EMT of the Year

Paramedic Armando Lazaro, field supervisor
Field Supervisor of the Year

Paramedic Rod Castillo, relief supervisor
Preceptor of the Year

EMT Ricardo Hernandez Cervantes
Field Training Officer of the Year

EMT Everett Sutton 
Hall Critical Care Transport Employee of the Year

Chase Wooten
Supply Technician of the Year

EMT Krystal Barboza
Support Staff of the Year

EMD Julianne Solano
Dispatcher of the Year

Teresa Steiner
Finance Department Employee of the Year

Krystal Mascarinas
HR Employee of the Year

Angelina Montalvo, Prebiller
Business Office Employee of the Year

Scott Benskin
Maintenance Technician of the Year

Larry Sims
Maintenance Detailer of the Year

Emilio Duran
Hall Commercial Vehicle Service Top Producer

Miguel Garcia
Hall Commercial Vehicle Service Employee of the Year

Now in its sixth year, Strides for CJD – Bakersfield has been selected as the CJD Foundation’s regional event for central and southern California families,

friends, and community members who would like to walk in honor or memory of a loved one affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

CJD is a rare neurodegenerative disease that has no treatment or cure.  Proceeds benefit the CJD Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to provide family support, medical education, and research programs.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, October 15, on the campus of California State University Bakersfield at the Harvey L. Hall Family Plaza, 9001 Stockdale Highway.  Hall served four terms as the city of Bakersfield’s 25th mayor and was a respected pioneer of emergency medical services. He lost his battle with the sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in May 2018, just two weeks and seven hours following diagnosis.

Onsite registration opens at 9 a.m., and the leisure walk through the CSUB campus begins at 10 a.m. Additional activities are being planned and will be announced on the event’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Strides4CJDBakersfield.

Participants can register online by clicking on the Bakersfield event at www.strides4cjd.com, and walk as individuals or create or join a team named in tribute to a loved one affected by CJD. The early bird rate for an adult walker is $30 and $20 for youths through September 14. Those who register by August 23 will receive a free event t-shirt.

Strides for CJD – B

akersfield is seeking corporate sponsorships for its 2023 event, ranging from $250 to $20,000 for premier-level support. Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and corporations should contact Mark Corum, co-captain at bakersfieldstrides@outlook.com, before July 30 to discuss and enjoy full sponsorship benefits.

While CJD affects one in a million, you are not alone! Coming together with others who are going or have gone through the progression of the disease with a friend or family member can bring a sense of comfort, togetherness, and healing.

Strides for CJD – Bakersfield is one of 22 events held in cities across the United States during the first two weekends of October. Funds raised through Strides for CJD have positively impacted the CJD Foundation’s ability to provide and support the following programs.

Helpline and Support Groups: Helping families navigate their first days or weeks of diagnosis and caregiving.

Medical Education: Connecting with medical education departments of hospitals around the US to offer medical lectures from CJD experts about diagnosis, caregiving, and other vital information.

Advocacy: One of the best ways to help advance prion disease research is to ensure that legislators are educated about prion disease/CJD, its impact on patient families, and what’s needed to study the disease and move towards a cure. The CJD Foundation has been working harder than ever to amplify the voices of patients and caregivers in Washington, DC, and to advocate for increased funding for CJD surveillance and

research.

Research Grants: To date, the CJD Foundation has awarded 77 grants, totaling more than $4 million, to help support scientists who study prion disease. This year, for the first time, the CJD Foundation awarded a fellowship to an emerging scientist, in addition to awarding seven research grants.

ABOUT CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

According to the California Department of Public Health, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare disease of the brain and nervous system in humans that is part of a group called prion diseases. In these diseases, prions (proteins that are naturally found in the body) change shape, build up in the brain, and destroy brain and nerve tissue, causing nervous system disorders. These disorders include rapid onset dementia, personality changes, memory problems, impaired vision, difficulty walking, moving, and speaking, all of which worsen over time and ultimately lead to death. There are different types of CJD based on how the disease is caused.

California had 221 new CJD cases from 2013 to 2019, with 25 to 36 cases reported yearly. Of these cases, 172 (78%) were reported to have died with CJD.

About 1 out of every 3 cases were reported in Los Angeles County (40 cases) and San Diego County (37 cases).

A confirmed diagnosis can only be completed by examining brain tissue during an autopsy. There is no cure for CJD, and treatment is provided only to assist with ma

naging symptoms and to make the CJD patient more comfortable.

ABOUT THE CJD FOUNDATION

The CJD Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports families affected by prion disease. Programs include research grants, a seven-day HelpLine, family support groups, medical education, and an annual conference for families and scientists. For more information, call 800-659-1991, visit www.CJDFoundation.org, or email help@cjdfoundation.org