Alumni & Friends
Alumni Profile

David Daly and Matt Libby didn't know each other while attending NHTI's Paramedic Emergency Medicine program. David graduated in 1997 while Matt graduated in 2004.

“We met while working for Trinity EMS,” says David. “In the field, it's fairly easy to figure out who has graduated from NHTI. We hold ourselves to a high standard of professionalism.”

In 2004, Dave and Matt co-founded their own company, PrideSTAR EMS based in Lowell, MA. Both admit the process was daunting in the beginning, completing due diligence processes and finalizing pro forma financials. Today, PrideSTAR EMS employs 50 people and has more than 20 vehicles in its fleet.

The company provides medical transportation for local nursing homes, assisted care facilities and the greater Lowell community health centers, with more than 70&337; of their business coming from pre-booked appointments. PrideSTAR also provides back up service to the city's 911 call center. Growing since day one, the company recently moved into its new 19,000 square foot headquarters, the first “environmentally green” ambulance quarters in New England.

Dave and Matt are particularly excited about the advanced technology of the company. As co-founders, they made a decision to invest in technology from the start.

“We are one of only two ambulance companies that we know of to be completely paperless,” Matt explains. “All of our vehicles are fully wired with laptops so our employees complete all of their 'paper' work online. If we are transporting a patient to the emergency room, the hospital staff will have all the patient information online by the time we arrive.”

David adds, “With GPS tracking, we know where our trucks and crews are at every moment.”

PrideSTAR also provides standby emergency medical services for many movies that are filmed in Massachusetts. Last summer, they provided medical coverage on the set of a Mel Gibson movie, Edge of Darkness which was filmed in Boston.

“We were there whenever they filmed stunts or risky scenes such as gunfights, car chases or things of that sort,” David explained. “I guess you could say that it's a unique niche to provide emergency medical care for movie productions.”

Upon the film's wrapping up, Matt, David and other PrideSTAR employees had lunch with star Mel Gibson. What was that like?

“Quiet,” says Matt. “He's a very quiet guy.”

David says, “The paramedic program at NHTI is incredibly well run. In addition to the medical knowledge, we learned how to carry and conduct ourselves in the field. The expectations that were set for us as students at NHTI definitely carry over to our professional work.”

With the success that PrideSTAR EMS has seen in its relatively short history, David and Matt plan to give back. This year they created the PrideSTAR Professional Development Scholarship, given to an employee of the company who pursues an associate degree in paramedic emergency medicine. But the employee can't go to just any program, only NHTI. PrideSTAR EMS will pay the full expenses for the 2-year program. They hope to be able to offer the scholarship every two years.

The company is also very active in their local community, supporting many charitable causes including the Boys and Girls Club of Lowell, Easter Seals, Elder Services of Merrimack Valley and the Visiting Nurses Association of Greater Lowell.

PrideSTAR has a very low turnover rate. Once hired, people tend to stay - a sign of a great place to work. “Our daily work is intense," Matt says. “All of our employees work very hard so we aim to recognize that." In addition to honoring an employee of the month, the company hosts a Christmas party, family days and company outings to Fenway Park.

David explains, “We're sort of a family away from our families.”