Donnie Wharton, United States Air Force Reserves
Vice President of Combined Growth, GMR

Our vice president of Global Medical Response’s (GMR) combined growth division is also a veteran himself, having served with the Air Force Reserves for four years, starting at the age of 17.

Today, Wharton remains grateful for the opportunity to have been an American serviceman, which he says equipped him with life skills that he still uses today. “Ultimately, I learned valuable work-life lessons, such as attention to details, honor, trust and the importance of staying focused on the mission. These values help me to deliver my best work-product with integrity.”

What Appealed to You About Serving with GMR?
“I started in the EMS industry more than 20 years ago, 15 of those years with REACH Air Medical Services/Global Medical Response. I fell in love with the patient aspect of the mission, particularly serving my community. Not a month went by where I didn’t fly someone I knew or a family member of someone I knew. It's a priceless feeling to see the look of relief and hope when arriving at bedside to care for a patient. It’s a feeling that money can’t buy. This is what GMR allows me to experience.”

Robyn Zemek, United States Air National Guard
Appeals Clinician Nurse, GMR

Robyn Zemek served as a flight nurse with an Aeromedical Evacuation Unit in the United States Air National Guard. Many family members have proudly served as well, including her great grandfather having served during WWII, her younger brother was enlisted in the Navy and went on several deployments as a Seabee and currently serving as a Navy Reservist, and her husband as an Apache helicopter pilot in the Army National Guard. Service is in her blood.

How Did Your Military Training Prepare You for Your Current Role with GMR?
“The Air National Guard allowed me to use my training as a civilian Flight Nurse, Emergency Room Nurse and Paramedic in a bigger capacity and provide care worldwide,” said Zemek. “The military has prepared me by providing me with further medical training and certifications to help in my knowledge of medical conditions and treatment plans, which allows me to justify the medical necessity of air ambulance transports,” she added. Zemek is now an Appeals Clinician Nurse. She worked as a Flight Nurse for Hospital Wing for five years, a company that recently joined the Med-Trans family.

James (Bud) Adams, United States Navy
Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Clinical Education Specialist, Paramedic, AMR

James (Bud) Adams joined the U.S. Navy because of his grandfather serving as a Gunner’s Mate 1st Class on a battleship during WWII. For Adams served as a Hospital Corpsman, giving him the opportunity of a lifetime to experience other cultures while simultaneously serving his country. His position, at times, deployed him to combat zones where he often treated both injured Marines and civilians alike.

While he thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie he experienced in the military, Adams left it to pursue a career as a Paramedic. His search eventually landed him at AMR in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he has been serving as a Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Improvement (QI) Clinical Education Specialist and Paramedic for more than 22 years.

How Did Your Military Training Prepare You for Your Roles with AMR and GMR?
A passionate EMS professional, Adams believes his military training prepared him well for his current role by giving him an eye for detail and a keen understanding of the importance of operational readiness, accuracy in documentation and situational awareness.

Stefanie Everts, United States Marine Corps
Flight Nurse, Air Evac

Stefanie Everts thinks about her experiences serving in the U.S. Marine Corps often. She joined that branch of the military because she thought it was the toughest and wanted to challenge herself. After training, she became a heavy equipment operator, which involved mastering the operation of cranes, forklifts, graders and scrapers. These were skills that came in particularly handy on a training mission in New Mexico, building houses on the Navajo Reservation. Though she enjoyed her time and experiences in the Marines, she had always wanted to get into the medical field. Upon leaving the military, she set her sights on becoming a nurse.

Today, Everts serves as a Flight Nurse for Air Evac Lifeteam in Moberly, Missouri as part of a flight team on a H135 air ambulance helicopter. She draws from her military experience in her successful and vital civilian career.

How Did Your Military Training Prepare You for Your Current Role?
“My military training has helped prepare me for my current role because every flight is different,” she said. “You have to constantly think outside of the box. You have to expect the unexpected and you always have a plan B, C and sometimes D. I’m proud to be part of a company that serves our communities.”

Stephen Schiller, United States Army
Lead Pilot, REACH

Stephen Schiller says that while he didn’t come from a long line of American war veterans, today, his two brothers and Schiller’s son are proud members of the U.S. military.

“I spent 22 years in the Army,” he said. “Serving and commanding the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment was one of the most interesting experiences of my service. I loved the camaraderie and the training was great. It taught me how to be a team player, which is important for any profession, especially in emergent medical care.”

How Did Your Military Training Prepare You for Your Current Role with REACH?
“The numerous deployments and helicopter training, leadership and command roles taught me to understand people and what makes them perform well,” Schiller said. “Learning how to get along with everyone and treating each other with respect, making each other feel they are an asset to the team and the mission can go a long way. That’s why I love serving as a lead pilot with REACH 83 in Ft. Liberty. It’s a similar experience to that of the military in which teamwork and ethos are everything. REACH is also a great company with a professional, proven track record.”