UCF Business Incubation client in Kissimmee honored for her work in pediatric emergency medical services
Kissimmee, Fla. (December 12, 2025) — With a long career in helping save the lives of children across the country, Lisa DeBoer, CEO, Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions, received the nation’s top award for pediatric emergency medical services from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.
The American Academy of Pediatrics-NAEMT’s Pediatric EMS Award is presented annually to an individual who has been instrumental in advancing pediatric EMS. For most years, the award has been given to a physician. DeBoer, who lives in Reunion, is the first active paramedic in the award’s five-year history to receive the award.
“This award isn’t just about me,” DeBoer says. “It’s about every paramedic, nurse, and provider who’s ever felt the weight of caring for a sick child. It proves that innovation and compassion in pediatric care can come from anywhere in the healthcare system, not just the hospital.”
In 1993, while transporting a critically ill child, DeBoer survived a devastating ambulance crash—an experience that deeply impacted her and revealed the emotional and clinical challenges of treating pediatric patients.
Motivated to better prepare healthcare providers for such situations, she and her husband began developing practical pediatric training tools and resources.
That was the start of Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions.
Today, the company provides training and educational products for pediatric emergency training in more than 20 countries. The primary product is the “In Seconds” line of training systems, created to give instructors a powerful yet practical way to deliver high-quality, hands-on emergency education, without the need for expensive equipment or complicated setups.
In receiving the award, the judges reviewed the comments of her peers.
From the association’s press release:
- “A colleague stated, “Lisa is a driving force for change, innovation, practice, excellence and academic achievement with qualifications that not only meet but far exceed the criteria for this award.”
- Another commented, “I have found her technical, interpersonal, and educator skills to be exceptional. As a CEO, consultant, presenter, and practicing paramedic, Lisa brings passion, experience, and innovation to every aspect of her work.”
Formed in 1975 and over 110,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is the only national association representing the professional interests of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders and other professionals providing prehospital and out-of-hospital emergent, urgent or preventive medical care.
This award is one of several for DeBoer over her career. For instance, she is a five-time recipient of the EMS World Innovation Award and was named the 2024 NAEMSE Unsung Hero.
Despite all the accolades and success, DeBoer has remained an active paramedic, working for a local theme park for the past four years.
“This is a tremendous honor for Lisa and all of us in the incubation program are looking forward to where this entrepreneurial journey takes her,” says Esther Vargas, site manager, Osceola County/Kissimmee Business Incubator.
###
Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions: Lisa DeBoer, CEO, (219) 313-5610, Lisa@PediEd.com
UCF Business Incubation Program: Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions: Founded in July of 2000 in Dyer, Indiana, now headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida, Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions, LLC is a globally recognized leader in pediatric emergency medical education. Established by emergency medical professionals Scott and Lisa DeBoer, the company has spent over 25 years working to transform how healthcare providers train for most critical and high-pressure situations, when every second counts for their tiniest patients.
Pedi-Ed-Trics delivers dynamic, hands-on training for paramedics, nurses, physicians, and transport teams, specializing in pediatric and neonatal emergency care. Its internationally acclaimed “In Seconds” products, including the newest in the simulation line called “Disasters in Seconds” which provides realistic, hands-on, scenario-based learning experiences that help emergency medical personnel strengthen their skills and prepare for large-scale, mass-casualty incidents involving children.
With programs and products used now in more than 20 countries, Pedi-Ed-Trics continues to set the standard for innovative, interactive, and high-impact medical education. Whether through live simulation, conference training, or through their continued development of hands-on pediatric training products, the company’s mission remains the same: Empower healthcare professionals to save children’s lives…one skill, one second, with one simulation at a tim. Visit Pediedtrics.com for more information.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources, resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With eight facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee and Orlando. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue. Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu
