Media Inquiries 

For media inquiries, contact Rachel McCrary at 248-587-6538 or rmccrary@medstarambulance.org.

In the news

Medstar awards AED to Burton Eagles

By Rachel McCrary | March 10, 2023 |

BURTON VIEW — Medstar, Michigan’s most integrated EMS and mobile healthcare provider, awarded the Burton Eagles an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), Feb. 28. When someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, every minute counts. AEDs can significantly improve the outcomes of cardiac arrest patients. The Burton Eagles, 3317 E. Bristol Rd., have taken a big step to save…

Here’s how to be prepared for medical emergencies like the one to Damar Hamlin on Monday Night Football

By Rachel McCrary | January 6, 2023 |

Detroit, MI WDIV – The rescue efforts on the field Monday night are being credited with saving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s life. That emergency situation has put a new focus on the equipment and training it would take to respond to a similar crisis, no matter where it happens. The first step in being…

FENTON HONORS MEDSTAR FIRST RESPONDERS

By Rachel McCrary | December 5, 2022 |

Tri-County Times – On the afternoon of May 12, 2022 Fenton police, fire, and EMS units were dispatched for a man down on the side of the road, possibly in cardiac arrest. When Fenton patrol officers Jones and Whitman arrived on location (within two minutes of being dispatched), they immediately performed CPR and updated the…

Medstar awards North Branch Wesleyan Church with AED donation

By Rachel McCrary | June 27, 2022 |

Placement made possible through the EMS organization’s “Shock and Save initiative“ On June 26th, Medstar, Michigan’s largest EMS and mobile health provider, presented an automated external defibrillator (AED) to North Branch Wesleyan Church. The donation was made possible through funds raised through Medstar’s “Shock and Save Initiative.”  Medstar provides matching funds from community events to ensure more…

How to stay safe during a heat wave

By Rachel McCrary | June 14, 2022 |

Follow these tips to protect yourself Stay Connected Never leave infants, children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, or pets in a vehicle unattended. Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. Check-in on older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions at least twice daily. When visiting, ask yourself…

‘COVID changed everything’: EMS workers weigh in on pandemic’s toll

By ahein | January 4, 2022 |

Lansing, Mich. (WLNS) – COVID-19 doesn’t stop at testing lines or hospitals. It’s all over the community and every day, EMT workers who are already on the front lines responding to life and death situations have the pandemic to deal with. Last week, 6 News brought you the story of James Swindlehurst, a Mid-Michigan EMT…

“The availability of the antibodies will limit our ability to help the patients”

By ahein | December 30, 2021 |

Mid-Michigan Now — Demand is outweighing the supply of monoclonal antibody infusions. Medstar started doing at-home infusions but because they needed to help more people they opened clinics across the region to administer more treatments to people. Medstar is the only ambulance service in this region to offer Monoclonal Antibodies what started out as one…

Medstar CEO Interviewed for Oakland Press Article About EMS in Michigan

By ahein | November 15, 2021 |

Kolby Miller, CEO of Clinton Township-based MedStar, an EMS provider serving Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, said offering overtime and additional incentives is not a long-term solution to this long-standing workforce shortage. Currently, MedStar has around 900 full- and part-time personnel on its clinical operations team. “We are investing in full-time personnel who are joining…

More paramedics give proactive, non-emergency care as community paramedicine grows in Michigan

By ahein | October 14, 2021 |

Second Wave Michigan — “Community paramedics can help high-risk, high-utilizing patient populations, who are going to be older; have one, two, or more comorbidities; and have been seeking care through the emergency department or other means,” says Andrew Brown, vice president of stakeholder integration for Medstar, southeast Michigan’s largest EMS and mobile health provider, serving Bay,…

Patient transfers between hospitals are more critical than ever. But in rural Michigan, the ambulances aren’t coming.

By ahein | October 8, 2021 |

Crain’s Detroit Business — Ambulance services can transfer patients only to or from a community in which they are licensed. Those licensed service providers are also usually required to maintain dedicated ambulances in a given community around the clock for 911 calls, said Kolby Miller, CEO of Medstar. Rural communities may not need another truck…

News Releases

Medstar ambulance parked outside of Burton Fire Station No. 2

City of Burton Enters Into EMS Agreement With Medstar

By ahein | July 8, 2021 |

The City of Burton announced today​ that it​ has entered into an​ agreement ​to provide consistent EMS service ​for its​ residents and visitors. The ​agreement​ is​ with Medstar, a not-for-profit EMS agency that serves several Michigan communities, ​and ​is identical to agreements the agency has with communities throughout lower Michigan. “The delivery of EMS care…

Medstar LifeFlight Helicopter

LifeFlight Air Medical Training Part of Medstar’s Free Emergency Medical Responder Course for Firefighters

By ahein | July 8, 2021 |

Medstar, Michigan’s most integrated EMS and mobile healthcare provider, is conducting air medical training:* Thursday, July 8, 2021 6 pmBentley High School 1150 N Belsay Rd, Burton, MI 48509 The exercise is part of a 61-hour Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course Medstar is providing to 28 Genesee County firefighters. The Medstar LifeFlight team will teach attendees how…

General Manager Todd Kaatz Patient Debby Custodio Packaging Room Manager Carma Capizzo Country Smoke House Co-Owner Suzanne Francis Country Smoke House Co-Owner Stephen Francis Northern Operations Manager Jeremy Compau Vice President of Clinical and Education Services Kevin Wilkinson

AED and CPR Save Woman’s Life at Almont Restaurant — Medstar to Honor Country Smoke House on June 1 for AED and CPR Awareness Week

By ahein | May 27, 2021 |

Medstar, Michigan’s most integrated EMS and mobile healthcare provider, commends the staff at the Country Smoke House in Almont for their preparedness and action when their colleague suffered a cardiac arrest.  When the patient became unconscious and stopped breathing, Country Smoke House co-owner Suzanne Francis began CPR while her husband, Stephen, got the AED. Shortly…

EMS Week -- May 16-22 -- Thank You

Medstar Honors Frontline Heroes During EMS Recognition Week

By ahein | May 17, 2021 |

Medstar, Michigan’s most integrated EMS and mobile healthcare provider, is honoring its more than 800 team members for their lifesaving work as part of EMS Week.  “Medstar personnel adapted incredibly well to provide safe and effective care to patients, communities, and healthcare systems during the pandemic,” said Kolby Miller, Medstar CEO. “Working in EMS means…

Pie a Paramedic Donation Drive

By ahein | February 9, 2021 | Comments Off on Pie a Paramedic Donation Drive

Medstar Collecting Winter Gear for Detroit’s Homeless With temperatures reaching the single digits, the Pope Francis Center is even more critical to the safety and survival of Detroit’s homeless. And they are in dire need of the following donations:  Thermal/outdoor socks Hats Gloves Thermal pants and shirts  The winter gear items must be new and…

Medics transporting a patient

Medstar Offering EMT Training for All New Employees

By ahein | December 14, 2020 |

At a time when many have uncertainty in their employment picture, Medstar is stepping up with an opportunity to earn full-time wages while getting an education and moving into a rewarding career. The largest nonprofit EMS agency in Michigan is now providing Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensure training for all new employees.  “We often hear…

New Station in Independence Township

Medstar Enhances Services in Northern Oakland County With a New Station in Independence Township

By ahein | August 21, 2020 |

Medstar, Michigan’s most integrated EMS and mobile healthcare provider, opened a new station in Independence Township. The new location at 5255 Maybee Road, Clarkston, Michigan enhances services to patients and healthcare stakeholders in Northern Oakland County.  “The new station will better serve the area for years to come and benefits our mutual commitments with the…

Medstar Ambulance

Medstar, McLaren Bay Announce EMS Transition

By ahein | June 24, 2020 |

McLaren Bay Region Hospital moving EMS services to a new provider Medstar, Michigan’s most extensive and integrated 911 EMS and mobile healthcare provider, will become the ambulance provider for McLaren Bay Region and the surrounding communities. McLaren Bay Region has provided emergency transportation services to Bay County for over 40 years. The transition will take…

Dr. Gary Druskovich

Medstar Welcomes Dr. Gary Druskovich to Its Board of Directors

By ahein | June 12, 2020 |

Medstar, Southern Michigan’s largest EMS and mobile healthcare provider, is pleased to announce Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital President Gary Druskovich, MD, MBA, is the newest member of its Board of Directors.  “Dr. Druskovich brings a valuable mix of clinical and operations experience to our organization, and we share his passion for serving the most vulnerable patients,”…

Dr. Kevin Grady

Medstar Welcomes Dr. Kevin Grady to Its Board of Directors

By ahein | June 12, 2020 |

Medstar, Southern Michigan’s largest EMS and mobile healthcare provider, is pleased to announce the President and CEO of Ascension St. John Hospital and Ascension River District Hospital Kevin Grady, MD, is the newest member of its Board of Directors.  “Dr. Grady is a champion for patient-centered care, and it’s an honor to have him on…