Honoring Emergency Transport Professionals
The Texas Ambulance Association proudly recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations whose dedication, leadership, and service make a lasting impact on emergency medical care in our state. Through annual awards, we honor EMS professionals, volunteers, and advocates who go above and beyond in advancing patient care, innovation, education, and community service. These awards highlight the best in Texas EMS and showcase the commitment that strengthens our profession every day.
The Vanguard Award
From time to time, it becomes the privilege of the Texas Ambulance Association to recognize the extraordinary efforts of certain special individuals or organizations that have benefited the ambulance industry by leading the way in new developments or novel ideas. This forms the cornerstone of its Vanguard Award.
- 2024
Representative Cesar Blanco
- 2024
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
- 2023
Senator Juan Hinojosa
- 2023
Representative Oscar Longoria
- 2018
Governor Gregory Wayne Abbott
- Award Criteria
The Vanguard Award is bestowed at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors at any time it deems appropriate, and covers a wide array of subject matter that includes, as examples, clinical care, system design, research, legislation, human resources, regulations and model efficiencies.
The Vanguard Award is granted only to individuals or organizations that are not directly or professionally affiliated with the ambulance industry.
The Joe B. Brown Memorial Award
The Joe Brown Award recognizes exceptional individuals who have demonstrated commitment and distinguished service to the Texas Gas Association over an extended period. This prestigious honor celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the industry through their dedicated involvement with the Association.
- 2025
Gerard O’Brien
- 2024
Aaron Castro
- 2023
Stephen Stephens
- 2020
Alan Guggenheim
- Award Criteria
The Texas Ambulance Association’s Joe Brown Award is named after a founder, Joe Brook Brown from Fort Worth, who served as the association’s first President from 1981-1982. The award is presented at the discretion of the TAA’s Board of Directors.
The President Award
The President’s Award represents the honor bestowed by the Texas Ambulance Association, recognizing exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and transformative contributions to emergency medical services throughout the state of Texas. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to advancing the mission of emergency medical care and have made lasting impacts on their communities and the EMS profession.
- 2025
Manuel Ramon
- 2025
Scott Moore
- 2025
Karen Foster
- 2024
Khaki Hinkle
- 2023
Brett Coghlan, Charles Hinkle, Rachel Harracksingh
- 2021
Dr. Robert Stark (front row, center)
- 2020
John Brian
The Hall of Fame Award
The Texas EMS Hall of Fame will recognize pioneers, innovators, and dedicated professionals whose career achievements and service have significantly advanced the field of emergency medical services and their contributions to TAA. The inaugural class of inductees were honored at a special ceremony during the 2025 TAA’s Annual Conference.
- 2025