Armstrong Paramedic John Sossei and EMT Ron Keech were recognized at the American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life banquet.

From June 23-26, Armstrong Paramedic John Sossei and EMT Ron Keech visited Washington, D.C., and were honored for their extraordinary efforts and contributions to the field of emergency medicine.

The American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life program celebrates the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession. Each June, The American Ambulance Association honors and recognizes Star of Life recipients from around the country who were nominated by their colleagues, peers and people they work with, who believe they are superb EMS practitioners.

Keech has been with Armstrong for five years and in that time has established himself as a leader, mentor and role model for his colleagues. He’s also regularly commended by patients and their family members for his kind, compassionate approach to helping those in need.

“Ron places high importance on every interaction he has, whether it’s with colleagues here at Armstrong or with patients and family members while responding to calls,” Armstrong CEO Rich Raymond said. “He truly represents what it means to go above and beyond in his role by applying a personal touch to his work with our patients, as well as by taking on various leadership responsibilities that make us all better at our jobs.”

Sossei joined Armstrong after serving as a non-commissioned officer in the Air Force and later as a paramedic in California. His work ethic, command presence, and kind, firm, and honest demeanor have set a positive example for his Armstrong teammates. Sossei has quickly advanced throughout his career as a seasoned and astute clinician, peer leader, Field Training Officer and AHA instructor.

“John is the consummate paramedic professional who is able to handle any situation with the care and attention it deserves,” Raymond said. “He is an open-minded and vocal leader who is a truly gifted member of our team, and he’s extremely deserving of this honor.”

The Stars of Life awards ceremony served as the culmination of a three-day visit to Washington D.C. that included meetings with Sen. Edward Markey and Rep. Katherine Clark, where they discussed relevant legislative initiatives.