UT Health East Texas EMS

03/27/2026

Our UT Health East Texas EMS/AIR 1 team was honored to participate in this week’s ribbon cutting for The University of Texas at Tyler Helicopter Critical Care Transport Simulations Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to train nurses and paramedics in critical care transportation. The program is the second medical flight program in the country with a clinical flight simulator – and the only one to train both nurses and paramedics. With more than 50% of the region’s residents living in rural areas, the need for highly trained air medical crews is critical. UT Health East Texas is proud to extend its partnership in training the caregivers of the future to this program. UT Health AIR 1 partner Metro Aviation donated the aircraft for the facility.

03/23/2026

UT Health East Texas EMS welcomes new caregivers to the team! They are finishing orientation and will begin their field training across our service areas. Pictured from left to right: Paramedic Ryan Fromm, Paramedic Kristen Green, Paramedic Amanda Liguez and EMT Georgia Pierce.

If you or someone you know is interested in a career with UT Health East Texas EMS/AIR 1, learn more at the link in the comments.

03/20/2026

The UT Health AIR 1 team recently visited the Wood County Commissioners Court as part of the celebration of AIR 1’s 40th anniversary. During the meeting, commissioners learned that AIR 1 was the first air medical helicopter service to operate in East Texas, marking four decades of lifesaving service to the region. To commemorate the milestone, members of the court were presented with the special UT Health AIR 1 40th Anniversary Gold Challenge Coin.

03/17/2026

Jessica Erbaugh, RN, CFRN, EMT-P, Flight Nurse

"When I became an EMT, the UT Health East Texas AIR 1 team set the standard for excellence in our region. Combined with UT Health Tyler’s Level 1 trauma center and being the first CAMTS (Commission of Accreditation of Medical Transport Services) accredited program in Texas, it was the program I wanted to grow with.

What sets AIR 1 apart is the consistency and dedication of our flight crew. We plan, train and operate with one focus: providing the best care for every patient.

Becoming a flight nurse/medic was a decade-long path for me. I was drawn to emergency medicine and critical care because of the challenge and the impact we can make during critical moments.

Being part of AIR 1 during its 40th anniversary is meaningful. It represents years of work and vision from those who built this program.

At AIR 1, we genuinely care and want what is best for every patient in every scenario. We train for the one in a million and share knowledge with each other to bring the best we can."

03/09/2026

03/06/2026

Paramedic Briana Von Bargen and EMT MaRyan Owens are more than first responders — they treat every patient like family.

On a recent welfare check, they found an elderly woman who seemed confused and alone. Instead of leaving, they stayed to make sure she was safe. They called her daughter, set up her Life Alert device, checked her vitals, made her favorite oatmeal with bananas, kept her hydrated and comfortable and even tidied the kitchen until family arrived.

Her daughter later called to praise the care they provided — the kind of compassion that defines UT Health EMS.

Even through storms, floods and tough days, Briana and MaRyan say they wouldn’t trade this work for anything.

“Now I have the tools to do more for others — and that’s what matters.”

03/04/2026

UT Health East Texas EMS has added brand-new LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitor/defibrillators and LUCAS Chest Compression Systems to our frontline ambulances — a major step forward in bringing the most advanced lifesaving technology directly to the communities we serve.
These upgrades give our paramedics faster access to critical patient data, more precise treatment options, and consistent, high‑quality CPR during cardiac arrest — even while transporting patients.

This more than $2 million investment reflects our mission to deliver the highest level of emergency care when it matters most. Learn more at the link in the comments.

02/19/2026

UT Health East Texas EMS welcomes new caregivers to the team! They are finishing orientation and will begin their field training across our service areas. Pictured from left to right are EMT Savannah Urbina, EMT Hunter Williams, EMT Andrew Longmire, EMT Zachary Styacich, EMT Holly Stadelmann, EMT James Clark, EMT Kaitlyn Mandarich, EMT Darrell Horton, EMT Caleb Caruso and EMT Aiden Jacobs.

If you or someone you know is interested in a career with UT Health East Texas EMS/AIR 1, learn more at the link in the comments.

02/18/2026

The City Council of Henderson voted to renew its contract with UT Health East Texas EMS/AIR 1 for EMS services, continuing a successful ten-year partnership serving the community.

UT Health East Texas EMS is truly honored to receive this contract renewal from the City of Henderson. We’re grateful for the trust placed in our team and we remain committed to delivering exceptional EMS services to the community we proudly serve.” John Smith, UT Health EMS/AIR 1 CEO

01/28/2026

When winter weather hit, our teams answered the call. ❄️🚑

A huge thank-you to UT Health East Texas EMS/AIR 1 — from dispatch and scheduling to fleet maintenance, resupply and beyond — for supporting our paramedic and EMT crews responding to 911 calls.

We’re also grateful for our community partners — fire departments, ESDs, city and county leaders, law enforcement and many others — working together to serve our communities.
Teamwork makes the difference. Thank you!

01/23/2026

UT Health East Texas EMS welcomes new caregivers to the team! They are finishing orientation and will begin their field training across our service areas. Pictured from left to right are EMT Jason Hargrave, EMT Lucas Robbins, EMT Shawn Smith, EMT Vayden Newell, Paramedic Joselyn Reid, EMT David Ingram, Paramedic Allison Ravelli, EMT Kassidy Watson, EMT John Ayres, EMT Ryan Martin, EMT Chayann Garcia, EMT Caleb Rountree, EMT Jacob Sims, EMT Brooke Reynolds, EMT Jac Few, EMT Trystan Hopkins, EMT Adam Sirmans and EMT Robert Huff. If you or someone you know is interested in a career with UT Health East Texas EMS/AIR 1, learn more at jobs.ardenthealth.com/ut-texas-ems.

01/05/2026

Please join UT Health East Texas EMS/AIR 1 in congratulating UT Health East Texas EMS Regional Director Todd Loper, who was recognized as a Business Leader/Employer by the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for his outstanding support of the U.S. National Guard and Reserve Forces. Todd was presented with the certificate and pin by LTC (Ret.) Ronnie Clayton, ESGR Area 12 Chair.

Thank you, Todd, for fostering a supportive workplace that not only strengthens our mission at UT Health East Texas EMS, but also honors and supports those who serve our nation.