Aspirus MedEvac’s Wyland named 2025 National Paramedic of the Year

Aspirus Health announced Jason Wyland of Merrill — RN, BSN, CFRN, CCEMTP, FPC, Flight Paramedic and Flight Nurse with Aspirus MedEvac — was selected as the 2025 National Paramedic of the Year by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). The honor recognizes Wyland’s exceptional clinical skills, leadership, and unwavering commitment to high-quality patient care.
Wyland was formally recognized at NAEMT’s General Membership Meeting and during the Opening Ceremony of EMS World Expo on Oct. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis.
His EMS career spans 28 years, beginning in 1997 when he completed his EMT-Basic certification at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. He later earned his Fire Protection Technology degree from Fox Valley Technical College and launched his full-time EMS career with the Merrill Fire Department in 2001 as a Firefighter/EMT-Intermediate. Just a few years later, he helped lead a milestone initiative to raise $110,000 to elevate the department’s emergency medical service to the paramedic level — strengthening care for the communities they served.
Wyland joined Aspirus MedEvac in 2009 and transitioned to a full-time role in 2011. In 2013, he became a Flight Certified Paramedic and continued to advance his clinical expertise by earning his associate degree in nursing in 2014 and his bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2019. Today, he is a flight nurse and flight paramedic on the Aspirus MedEvac Air-1 team based at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff.
Throughout his career, Wyland has been described as a humble leader, a mentor to new providers, and a dedicated patient advocate who brings both clinical excellence and compassion to every mission. Even after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2015, he continued to expand his knowledge and skills to remain actively involved in patient care.

“This recognition is incredibly humbling,” Wyland said. “I’m proud to serve alongside the Air-1 crew — this isn’t just a job, it’s a family. Every day we have the opportunity to make someone’s very worst moment a little better. That’s why we do what we do.”
“Jason is a remarkable provider and team member,” said Charlie Kotke, Manager, Aspirus MedEvac. “His expertise, resilience, and compassion have made a profound difference in the lives of countless patients. We are thrilled to see him recognized on a national stage for the excellence we are fortunate to witness every day.”
Aspirus MedEvac medical transportation service provides 24-hour emergency air and ground medical transport for critically ill and injured individuals of North Central Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The team is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care and safety to patients.