Honorees

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Year Honored
2011
Honoree
Gayla Lynn Gregory
Agency
Air Evac Lifeteam
Agency City
Vilonia
Agency State
AR
Last Call
8/31/10
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
"If there ever was a godmother of EMS, that is what she was in western Arkansas." A former student of Gayla Gregory used that statement to describe what she meant to the EMS community. She was known as a mentor and friend to the innumerable amount of students she brought into EMS. Her passion for teaching and helping others gave her students the desire to be the best patient-care providers they could be.<br /> <br /> Not only was she a passionate paramedic, she was an amazing softball player. She was also known to have a bit of a sweet tooth, favoring peanut butter cups. Coworkers and family also described her as a comedienne who could have everyone around her laughing on the floor in stiches. Her generosity was paramount, she would give to anyone that needed her help and even bought a set of tires for a stranger that had no money.<br /> <br /> Gregory was a 1975 graduate of Alma High School, and a 1977 graduate of Westark Community College. She began her career at Sparks Regional Medical Center in 1977 and she also became an instructor for the EMT/Paramedic program at Westark. Gregory later signed on with Air Evac as a flight medic.<br /> <br /> At about 4 am on August 31, 2010, while responding to meet an ambulance to pick up a patient, Air Evac 30 crashed in a wooded area just off highway 95 in dense fog. Gayla Gregory, along with the two other crewmembers of Air Evac 30, was killed in the crash.<br /> <br /> Her joy and passion for living life as well as saving lives was evident. Her exuberant humor, compassion, and tenacity were apparent to anyone whose life she touched. Her legacy of graciousness and devotion will continue for many years to come as a scholarship has been created in her honor.<br /> <br /> Honored 2011