How the American Ambulance Association is Developing the Next Generation of EMS Leaders with Mentorloop
with Samantha Hilker
American Ambulance Association
Mentorloop Impact Award Winner 2025
When the American Ambulance Association set out to develop the next generation of EMS leaders, they knew mentoring had to be at the core.
With Mentorloop, AAA transformed informal, ad-hoc support into a structured program spanning 15+ states, connecting seasoned professionals with emerging leaders, and creating a scalable foundation for leadership development across the EMS industry.
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is the national trade association for ground ambulance service organisations across the U.S. For over 40 years, AAA has represented and advocated for members ranging from mid-level managers to C-suite executives — ensuring access to high-quality, on-demand healthcare where and when patients need it most.
When the AAA launched its EMS Next program in 2023 to support emerging leaders in the industry, it quickly became clear that mentoring would be critical to its success.
Why Mentoring, Why Now?
For decades, EMS leaders relied on informal, ad-hoc mentoring — but the AAA wanted more. Emerging leaders needed structured guidance, while seasoned professionals needed fresh perspectives from a new generation of talent.
"Although we had some amazing pairings and feedback in our pilot, we saw opportunities for improvement and a clear need to formalise the program. We also knew that mentorship could be more than a moment if we scaled it to our entire membership."
Impact in Action: From Confidence to Cultural Change
Even in its first year, AAA’s mentoring program is sparking change:
- Participants from 15+ states are already engaged
- Mentoring Quality Score (MQS) of 4.79 shows high satisfaction and impact
- 454+ logged interactions (with even more happening offline)
But the real proof is in the stories:
A long-time volunteer leader solved a problem she’d struggled with for a year — thanks to advice from her mentee.
A new mentee shared that the program gave her the confidence to stand true to who she is as a leader.
A 20-year veteran asked to join as a mentee — wanting to learn how to be a better leader from individuals who more closely represent today’s workforce.
"Finding the right mentor in EMS has always been challenging. Seeing people from different states and experience levels connect, learn, and grow together shows me the true impact of this program."
Tangible Results Since Launch 📈
The AAA mentoring program is still in its early stages, but the foundation is strong:
- Scaled from 20 participants in a pilot to a growing, association-wide initiative
- Members are actively sharing success stories at conferences and events
- Mentoring is helping bridge gaps between seasoned leaders and emerging professionals
And with each new sign-up, the AAA gets closer to building a culture of learning and leadership development across the EMS community.
Why Mentorloop Was the Key to Success 🔑
Mentorloop provided the tools AAA needed to scale mentoring from a small pilot into an accessible benefit for all members:
- Automation: Sign-up links, self-driven progress, and streamlined matching
- Bulk messaging & dashboards: Easy oversight of matches and engagement
- Self-matching: Participants feel confident connecting with mentors/mentees directly
- Reporting: Real-time insights into program health with minimal admin burden
"The automation has been a game-changer. Mentors and mentees can confidently drive their own progress, while we track activity without the heavy admin load."
What’s Next 🚀
AAA’s vision is to make mentoring a long-term leadership development strategy for the EMS industry:
- Scaling participation in Year 2 and beyond
- Tracking measurable results at the organizational and association levels
- Encouraging mentees to step up as mentors, creating a sustainable pipeline of leaders
Will it be your turn next?
With Mentorloop, the American Ambulance Association has transformed informal mentoring into a structured, scalable program that is already making an impact across the EMS sector. By fostering confidence, knowledge-sharing, and leadership growth, AAA is equipping the next generation of EMS leaders to deliver life-saving care in communities across the country.
📌 Ready to empower your next generation of leaders?
Samantha Hilker
American Ambulance Association
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My advice for others? Do it. Do it imperfectly, do it informally — just do it. People are excited to teach, they’re excited to learn. Mentorloop makes it easy for them to step into either role without hesitation.
– Samantha Hilker, American Ambulance Association
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