FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Each year the North Dakota EMS Association recognizes those individuals who have made significant contributions to the provision, development and improvement to local, regional and state pre-hospital care. In 2024 we are honored to present the NDEMSA Southeast Region Rising Star Award to Ashton Hollingworth.
The Rising Star was established to recognize an individual, Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT), who is new to the field of pre-hospital care, shows rapid improvement, exemplary skills and takes on
added responsibilities. The nominee must have less than three years of experience and be a current member of the North
Dakota EMS Association.
Ashton is a true example of a rising star in EMS. He is currently pursuing his goal of becoming a paramedic and is enrolled as a college student with Sanford Health’s EMS Education program at NDSCS-Fargo. He manages his schedule carefully and finds time to work for Sanford EMS as an NREMT.
Ashton became involved in EMS while still in high school, joining Oakes Ambulance Service his sophomore year and has been an active member ever since. He is also a member of Community Volunteer EMS of LaMoure. Ashton can often be
found on the weekends and/or college breaks covering shifts for these services. Both squads recognize Ashton as a very
dedicated and valuable member of their service, always going above and beyond. They don’t know if you could find a 19
year old individual who has logged more hours in EMS than Ashton….and he enjoys each and every hour! Not only does he take as many call hours as his schedule allows, but Ashton is willing to fill in on a moment’s notice for numerous crew members, rarely misses a squad meeting and/or training, and is always willing to volunteer to help around the Oakes and LaMoure ambulance bays with various projects. He jumps in whenever and wherever needed, whether it’s helping teach new providers and drivers, doing rig checks, or even cleaning! Ashton is never afraid to step outside his comfort zone and enroll in EMS courses to further his knowledge and skills. His love for learning is outstanding. He completed a training on mental health for EMS providers last summer, and also became one of the youngest members of the North Dakota Critical Incident Stress Debriefing team after completing the extensive state training.
Ashton’s co-workers couldn’t be more impressed with his bedside manner and patient care skills. It is very obvious that he
cares about his patients very much and has the knowledge to handle whatever type 911 call he is called to. Ashton is passionate about EMS and has such a bright future ahead. He’s one in a million and North Dakota EMS couldn’t be more fortunate to have him actively involved!
