2026 Oklahoma Rural Paramedic Recipients

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Oklahoma Rural Paramedic Scholarship!

Only the top candidates were selected. Each student will receive an award of up to $4,500.   In return, each student will work a minimum of 2 years at a rural EMS and under-served agency in Oklahoma providing paramedic-level care.

Each winner was scored by an independent 3-person panel made up of EMS experts. They were scored based on the following criteria:

  • Community need
  • Financial need
  • Dedication to their community
  • Dedication to the EMS profession
  • Ability set an example for professionalism in EMS

The following students are the winners! Ranked in order, the top candidates are:


  1. Justin Butcher, Gordon Cooper Technology Center, REACT EMS
  2. Zachary Shaleen, Tulsa Community College, Broken Arrow Fire Dept.
  3. Nicole Brown, Cherokee Nation EMS Paramedic Pr, NHS EMS, Cherokee Nation EMS, Creek Nation EMS
  4. Curtis Coker, Tulsa Community College, ACEMS
  5. Abigail Martin, Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Chetotah EMS
  6. Angela Yakshin, Tulsa Community College, Creek County EMS
  7. Samayel Ayala, Godon Cooper Technology Center, REACT EMS
  8. Marissa Deerinwater, Cherokee Nation EMS, Hastings EMS
  9. Victoria Groves, Tulsa Community College, Broken Arrow Fire Dept.
  10. Elizabeth Daugherty, Cherokee Nation EMS, Cherokee Nation, Hastings Hospital
  11. Ty Warden, Tulsa Community College, Broken Arrow Fire Dept.
  12. Paris Milton, Tulsa Community College, EMSA
  13. Humberto Serrano, Tulsa Technology Center, Skiatook FD
  14. KC Hansford, Tulsa Community College, Mercy Regional EMS
  15. Treyton Ahrend, Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Miller EMS
  16. Claire Linteau, Tulsa Technology Center, Pafford EMS
  17. Macy Ellis, Tulsa Community College, Creek County EMS