2016 Star of Life: Anastasia Huddleston, Rural Metro

2016 AAA Star of Life Anastasia Huddleston

Anastasia Huddleston: Paramedic
Rural Metro: Knoxville, Tenn.

“Exceeds all expectations,” “nurturing,” “loves to teach,” and “nothing is too overwhelming”–that’s how Anastasia Huddleston’s co-workers describe her.

In December 2014, she served as medical commander at one of Knox County’s biggest mass casualty incidents. Two full school buses collided, killing three. Several of the patients were kindergarten age. Her leadership helped to ensure that every patient was sent to a hospital that could provide the level of care needed. She also made sure the uninjured were taken to a secure, comforting location.

Called our “most accomplished paramedic FTO,” every trainee Anastasia works with asks again and again for more shifts under her guidance. When education days approach, she is among the first to sign up to brief her colleagues, novice and veteran alike, about new equipment and tricks of the trade. At scenes with more than one patient, she often takes the worst injured, in part to spare her subordinates the stress that can come with working major trauma. Anastasia provides excellent care for her patients and exceptional support for her teammates.

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