ROME, N.Y. — AmCare Ambulance is proud to announce that Paramedic Michael Pugh
has been selected to receive the Advanced Life Support Provider Award for New York
State. Selected from nominees representing 18 regions across the state, Pugh is the sole
provider chosen statewide for this prestigious honor. He will be formally recognized on
Nov. 13, 2026.
Pugh has served with AmCare for six and a half years. His path into emergency medical
services began in the U.S. Air Force, where he earned his National Registry Emergency
Medical Technician certification. At 21, he joined AmCare and quickly discovered that
emergency medicine was more than a job.
“Pretty soon after I fell in love with emergency medicine and became entirely enthralled
with the field,” Pugh said. During his time at AmCare, Pugh has developed a deep
appreciation for the unique communities the organization serves. AmCare’s service area
provides its paramedics and EMTs with experience responding to both urban and rural
emergencies, often with longer transport times that allow providers to see firsthand how
patients respond to treatment.
Pugh also credits strong relationships among EMS professionals and local first
responders as an important part of providing effective emergency care. “Building that
rapport makes running critical calls less of a fear and more of a smooth operation,” Pugh
said.
For Pugh, the relationships within AmCare extend beyond emergency calls. He describes
the team as “critical, knowledgeable and supportive” and says the organization has
become a second family during his more than six years of service.
“When a tragedy hits, you have a whole village to swoop in and help,” Pugh said. People
genuinely do care about you here. Over time, you’re not just an employee. You’re
someone with a name and a life that everyone gets invested in.”
“Michael represents the very best of AmCare,” said Paul Taylor, owner of AmCare
Ambulance Service. “His dedication to his patients, his fellow first responders and the
communities we serve is evident every day. We are incredibly proud to see his
commitment and skill recognized at the state level, and we are fortunate to have him as
part of the AmCare team.”
About AmCare Ambulance
AmCare Ambulance Service Inc. provides emergency medical services to communities in
and around Rome, New York. AmCare’s team of paramedics and emergency medical
technicians responds to a diverse service area that includes both urban and rural
communities. The organization is committed to providing professional, compassionate
emergency medical care while working closely with local first responders and health care
partners to serve patients throughout the region.
For more information, visit amcareems.com.
