ASSOCIATION OF AIR MEDICAL SERVICES

Leading and Serving Transport Medicine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2025 

Recognizing young industry trailblazers making a measurable impact.

Alexandria, VA — The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is excited to announce the winners of the inaugural “40 Under 40: Rising Leaders in Medical Transport” Awards, a groundbreaking initiative that honors the next generation of trailblazers across the medical transport industry.

"This prestigious recognition celebrates young professionals under the age of 40 who are redefining leadership, innovation, and excellence in disciplines ranging from clinical care to communications to operations, safety, and advocacy," said Jana Williams, AAMS President & CEO. "The awardees represent a diverse and dynamic cohort of individuals making measurable impacts in their organizations and communities."

Honoring Excellence, Inspiring the Future

Nominees were assessed on leadership, professional growth, innovation and excellence and overall contributions to the industry demonstrated through a written nomination.

Meet the 2025 40 Under 40: Rising Leaders in Medical Transport Award Winners:

• 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.

Recognition Events at AMTC25 

• Tuesday October 28th at 3:30pm: AAMS Community Awards Celebration and
• Tuesday October 28th at 5:00pm: The Award and "40 Under 40" Nominees and Recipients Ceremony, immediately following the Community Awards Celebration, in the Exhibit Hall at the AAMS booth. 

All 40 Under 40 winners and nominees will be recognized collectively during the Community Awards Celebration and then individually during a ceremony/reception at the AAMS booth.

In addition, award winners and nominees will participate in an exclusive networking session aimed at cultivating peer connections and advancing leadership growth.

Learn more about the about the AAMS 40 Under 40 Rising Leaders awards program, and the nomination process for future years here.   

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Established in 1980, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is an international trade association headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area. AAMS is a non-profit 501C (6) trade association that represents and advocates on behalf of the critical care transport industry to enhance their ability to deliver quality, safe, and effective medical care and medical transportation for every patient in-need.