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Education Session Speakers

Michael Abesada, Paramedic

Michael is a Critical Care Paramedic/ Firefighter for Tampa Fire Rescue, City of Tampa, Florida. He is a Senior Enlisted Leader in the United States Air Force Reserves with the rank of Master Sergeant with over 20 years served and one deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Michael, while on several active orders serving in the Military, has been a significant contributor to General (Ret) Joseph L. Votel Killed In Action (KIA) Reduction Initiative (6 Nov 2017) focusing on the trauma care provided on casualties from point of injury. Following the studies provided by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner Systems and the Joint Trauma System- deaths on the battlefield are potentially preventable. Implementing/Instructing over 100 Tactical Combat Casualty Care courses for Humans at MacDill AFB, Fl, additional US Military Instillations, before Service Members deployments and local Public Safety agencies. Michael has also implemented Prehospital K9 medical training for medical health care personnel and non-medical personnel.

Tom Allenstein, RN, MBA, CMTE

Tom is currently the President/CEO for MedFlight and MedCare Ambulance out of Columbus, Ohio. He has served as Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Operating Officer at MedFlight since 2004. MedFlight is a full critical care transport system with 9 helicopters and 4 Critical Care Ground ambulances completing over 5000 transports/year. MedFlight also owns and operates MedCare Ambulance. MedCare Ambulance is an ALS/BLS service with over 70 ambulances completing 60,000+ transports throughout Ohio.

Along with his duties with his program, Tom has served in the past as Chair of the Minnesota Air Medical Council and President of the Ohio Association of Critical Care Transport. Tom also has served as the Region II Director on the Board of Directors for AAMS as well as serving as the Secretary and the Vice President on the Executive Committee of AAMS. As part of his duties with AAMS, Tom also served several years as chair of the Research Committee. He was also involved in the merger of the Foundation for Air Medical Research (FAR) and AAMS Foundation into the Foundation for Air Medical Research and Education (FARE) which eventually has turned into MedEvac Foundation International.

Currently in addition to be one of the Regents for the Medical Transport Leadership Institute, Tom is also a site Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems and is the past board chair for the Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Board for Ohio and currently the President of the Central Ohio Trauma System.

Sarah Barber, FP-C, BS in Psychology

Sarah has been a Flight Paramedic with Life Flight Network for seventeen years. In 2011 she ventured into Safety and Quality Management, and has worked in dual capacity as a clinician and a Quality Manager ever since. Her early training included a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanford University which has been a valuable asset in every aspect of life. When she’s not flying in helicopters or collecting data for continuous quality improvement, she can be found trail running with her dogs and camping with her husband in the mountains of her home state, Idaho.

Brandon Bates, MBA, CMTE

Brandon is responsible for business development and marketing, companywide, at AirMed International as well as securing and managing key partnerships and executing brand strategies. Brandon joined AirMed in August 2005 as Account Executive for the AirMed membership program and served as Director of Membership Sales for the organization from 2009-2013. He is actively involved in the air medical transport community as a member of AAMS, USTIA, THIA, and ITIC and regularly participates in panel discussions and industry committees. Brandon takes much pride in ensuring AirMed delivers on its mission of providing the highest quality of care to its customer’s while ensuring compassion and integrity.

Denise Baylous, MSN, RN, CCRN, CFRN, NRP

Denise is a certified flight and critical care nurse, nationally registered paramedic, and manager of Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance. She has been a nurse for 32 years and has experience in cardiac/open heart surgery, Neurological ICU, surgical ICU, emergency room and flight nursing. She received her diploma of nursing at Mount Carmel School of Nursing in 1990, her BSN degree in 2006 and her MSN degree in 2009 from the University of Phoenix. She was an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University from 2006-2012 and has been with Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance since 2003. She serves on multiple hospitals, local and state committees, where she collaborates to bring rapid air medical care to hospitals and communities.

Tara Beebout, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, CMTE

Tara is the Vice President of Critical Care Services at MedFlight of Ohio, where Tara oversees all operational aspects of the company. Tara has worked with MedFlight since 2013. Prior to joining the MedFlight leadership team, Tara has hospital-based clinical education and administrative experience.

Brandon B. Bleess, MD, FACEP, FAAM, FAEMS

Dr. Bleess is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Prehospital and Disaster Education for the Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. He also serves as Medical Director for OSF Life Flight. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and with his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He completed his Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. During his residency he served as Chief Resident as well as a Flight Physician with OSF Life Flight. He completed his EMS Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis and is board certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services.

Ira Blumen, MD

Ira has been involved in HEMS since 1985 and has been the UCAN program/medical director since 1987. He is the editor of the AMPA textbook “Principles and Direction of Air Medical Transport.” Since 2000, he has been a leader is HEMS safety research and provides annual updates at AMTC. Dr. Blumen has held numerous leadership positions in air medical transport and has received several safety awards. He is frequent lecturer and has published dozens of articles and chapters. His HEMS safety presentations including AMTC 2002, AMTC 2003, CCTMC 2003, AMTC 2005-2020 and more. Relative to this presentation, he is the initiator of the research project and lead researcher.

Steve Bott, MD

With more than three decades of experience in the air medical field, Steve currently wears multiple hats. First, he is a full-time cardiac anesthesiologist, and Director of Trauma Anesthesiology at the University of Utah, a busy tertiary medical center. He is also a Flight Physician and Assistant Medical Director for AirMed at the University of Utah, serving a very large service area.

Steve also has extensive teaching experience. In addition to daily bedside teaching of flight-crews, residents and fellows in the operating room, intensive care unit, and helicopter, he provides yearly didactic and laboratory sessions to our flight-crews, residents, fellows, and faculty anesthesiologists and intensivists, for emergency airway management, emergency surgical skills, trauma management, and complex cardiac anesthesia topics. Steve has given many lectures at previous AMTC and CCTMC meetings, including the very well attended and rated "Prevention of Peri-Intubation Cardiac Arrest session at AMTC 2019, and the similarly rated and attended "Advanced Ventilator Management" session at AMTC 2021.

George Bryant

George has decades of experience in the data and technology industry and is an active member of technology communities across the US and Europe. In recent years, George has focused on architecture, data engineering and technology enablement in the transportation and EMS industry in both operations and clinical metrics.

Teri L. Campbell, MSN, RN, PHRN, CEN, CFRN

Teri has been a flight nurse for over 20 years and flies for the University of Chicago, UCAN program. She has an extensive clinical background including high-risk OB, pediatrics, emergency, trauma, critical care, and flight/transport. She is an Executive Director of a statewide cardiac arrest improvement project called Illinois Heart Rescue. She has authored numerous publications related to high-risk OB, pediatrics, cardiac, and transport topics. She has been blessed to have lectured at numerous regional, national, and international conferences.

Bobbie Carlisle, MSN

Bobbie has been an RN for thirty years and has worked at a level 3 Academic NICU for twenty four of these years. For the past sixteen years, she have also worked as a transport nurse on our perinatal specialty team. Bobbie received her masters degree in nursing education and, in addition to flying, she also does outreach neonatal education and public relations.

Lindsey Castle, MSN, RN, CTME, CHSE

Lindsey is the Director of Education and Clinical Services at MedFlight of Ohio, where Lindsey leads the educational initiatives for all facets of the organization. Lindsey has refined the annual education along with orientation to be clinical metric-driven. Before MedFlight, Lindsey worked in both hospital-based clinical education as well as academic nursing education.

Kenneth Cerney, HAA Pilot

Kenneth has been a Helicopter Pilot/Leader for 35 years, the last 13 years in HAA. He is an AMRM instructor with an extensive background combining diverse crew personalities with decision making in HAA pilots and crew. Kenneth is a Certified leader and team instructor, and the author of two white papers on risk tolerance in helicopter pilots and aeromedical crews. He is a presenter and instructor in crew communications and decision making focusing on Helicopter crews making decisions during stressful situations.

Kevin Collopy, MHL, FP-C, NR-P, CMTE

Kevin is the clinical outcomes & compliance manager for Novant Health AirLink/VitaLink where he oversees the program's research, education, risk management, and quality management, and reimbursement programs. Kevin regularly speaks across the United States and has taught emergency & wilderness medicine on 3 continents. He's an author of over 200 articles and book chapters including 18 peer-reviewed research abstracts and papers. In addition, Kevin serves on several national and international advisory boards, teaches the paramedic program at Cape Fear Community College and is currently overseeing multiple clinical trials. He also maintains his LEAN Healthcare Blackbelt certification, has a master’s in healthcare leadership, and is known for developing and innovating quality management solutions in prehospital care systems.

William Cooney

William is Firefighter/Paramedic for Tampa Fire Rescue, City of Tampa, Florida. To boot, he is a Senior Enlisted Leader in the United States Air Force Reserves with rank of Senior Master Sergeant. William is also an Adjunct Instructor for the EMS Program at Hillsborough Community College.

William, while on several active orders serving in the Military, has been a significant contributor to General (Ret) Joseph L. Votel Killed In Action (KIA) Reduction Initiative (6 Nov 2017) focusing on the trauma care provided on casualties from point of injury. Following the studies provided from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner Systems and the Joint Trauma System- deaths on the battlefield are potentially preventable. Implementing/Instructing over 100 Tactical Combat Casualty Care courses for Humans and K9’s at MacDill AFB, Fl, additional US Military Instillations, prior to Service Members deployments and local Public Safety communities; “That others may live”.

Jan Eichel, MBA, RN, CFRN, EMT-P

Jan is Associate Executive Director for CAMTS based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Ms. Eichel has over 30 years of experience as a flight nurse and clinical director, in addition, is an educator on a regional and national level. She has also served on the CAMTS Board of Directors representing the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and as a CAMTS site surveyor since 2005. She is active in publishing both research and text pertinent to the specialty of transport medicine. Contributing writings include Patient Transport: Principles & Practice, 5th Edition, The Walls Manual of Emergency Airway Management, 4th & 5th Edition, and Transport Nurse Advanced Trauma Course Provider Manual, 4th, 5th & 6th Editions (currently ASTNA: Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course).

Jeremy Fails, RN,CFRN,TCRN

Jeremy is a seasoned Flight Nurse and Emergency Department nurse. With experience in the emergent Community Based HEMS systems as well and now the International fixed wing operations, Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge to the AirMed team. Jeremy was the AirMed RN that was the primary care provider on the Longest ECMO transport.

Jennifer L. Flint, MD

Dr. Flint is triple boarded in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Pediatric Critical Care. She currently serves as the Medical Director of Pediatric Critical Care Transport for Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Her work in transport medicine is currently focused on pediatric trauma care, pediatric stroke care, and psychiatric emergencies in children.

Stacie G. Foutty, RN

Stacie is a Registered Nurse, has a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She holds a board certification in Flight Registered Nurse, Emergency Nursing, and Neonatal Pediatric Transport . Stacie has thirteen years nursing experience and three years experience with her current air medical program. Nursing experience ranges from intensive care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and adult critical care.

Michael A. Frakes, APRN, CMTE, FCCM, FAASTN, FACHE

Michael is the Chief Quality Officer and Director of Clinical Care for Boston MedFlight. A Nebraska native, he began his career in EMS with an AAS in Emergency Medical Services from the Johnson County (KS) Community College, ultimately collecting a BS in Nursing from the Johns Hopkins University and an MS in Nursing from the University of Connecticut. Michael’s transport and medical experience includes positions as a firefighter, EMT, Paramedic, Flight Communications Specialist, and nursing experience in the ED, pedi ED, ICU, and transport. His non-clinical education includes a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Kansas, and certificates in Health Care Quality from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in Patient Safety from Johns Hopkins, and in Barbeque Judging from the Kansas City Barbeque Society. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt and is a Fellow of the College of Critical Care Medicine, the Academy of Emergency Nursing, the Academeny of Air and Surface Transport Nursing, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Garett Freeman, BS, FP-C, NRP

As a flight paramedic with VCU LIFEEVAC, Garett has over 12 years of combined experience in fire, EMS, and HEMS. He has provided prehospital patient care in the urban, suburban, rural, and austere communities of Virginia and has served as a training and education coordinator both domestically and internationally. Garett has a special interest in bringing education to life utilizing blended and game-based learning techniques that allow him to share his experiences with others and learn from those who are encouraged to share theirs.

Marcelo Giarelli, MSN, RN, CCRN

Marcelo is the Aortic Program Coordinator with the Heart and Vascular Service at Tampa General Hospital. Marcelo works with Vascular and Cardiothoracic Surgery Physicians to develop and implement Aortic care and processes to improve patient outcomes. He works with internal and external stakeholders to provide education, implement technology to improve processes, and value-based care for Aortic patients. Marcelo has worked to implement cloud based software solutions to collaborate with referring facility physicians and TGH Aortic Service physicians to promote world-class care. Currently, Marcelo and the team are implementing a disruptive innovation technology application to rapidly contact and consult with TGH Aortic Center resources.

Susan A. Gidding, MHS RN RRT

Susan, Senior Director of Quality Management at Life Flight Network, has over 30 years of experience working in the Healthcare industry, including, Critical Care Nursing, Patient Safety, Quality Management and 17 years employed as a Flight Nurse. She has presented at regional, state, and national healthcare conferences. Topics included: Quality Management, Human Factors, a Just Culture, Crew Resource Management, TeamSTEPPS, Highly Reliable Organizations, and Root Cause Analysis. Susan obtained her Master's degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Health Policy. Her research included: Healthcare Teamwork, Patient Safety and Utilization of Air Medical resources. She has a passion for patient safety and quality improvement.

Michael D. Gooch, DNP, APRN, CCP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-C, CEN, CFRN, CTRN, TCRN, NRP

Michael is board certified as an acute care, family, and emergency nurse practitioner. He is also board certified as an emergency, flight, transport and trauma nurse. He has over 25 years of emergency and transport medicine experience. He obtained his MSN from Vanderbilt University and his DNP from Loyola University Chicago. He is an Assistant Professor of Nursing with Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, as well as faculty with the Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia. At Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he practices as an emergency and flight nurse practitioner. He has completed over 1,500 patient transports during his tenure with Vanderbilt LifeFlight. He is also employed by TeamHealth and practices in a community emergency department.

Michael is actively involved in several professional organizations. He is a founding member of the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners and serves as the Southeastern Regional Director. He also serves as an APRN liaison to the board of directors for the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association and is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association’s advanced practice advisory council.

Michael is a nationally recognized speaker and published author regarding varied emergency and transport medicine topics. He serves as a column editor for the Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal. His clinical interests include transport medicine, airway management, toxicology, and pharmacology.

Nate Hinze, RN, BSN ,CEN, CCRN, CFRN, NRP

Nate has over 20 years of experience as a critical care transport nurse and a clinical educator. He has moved thousands of adult and pediatric patients using critical care ground ambulances, and fixed and rotor wing aircraft from scenes and from small rural facilities to tertiary centers. Nate has also had the opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s best, and teach a number of different subjects including airway management, cardiac and neurological emergencies, crew recourse management and other topics at national and international conferences including: The World Health and EMS Congress, The Air Medical Transport Conference, and The Annual Emergency Nurses Association Conference.

Troy D. Hollinsworth, BA

Troy is a second year medical student at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine in Sioux Falls, SD. Prior to medical school, Troy worked for Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD, as a clinical research coordinator. Here, Troy was involved with a variety of small and large multi-center clinical trials in areas of orthopedic surgery, pediatric diabetes, and regenerative medicine. In medical school, Troy has had a continued interest for improving patient outcomes through clinical research. As a South Dakota native, he has a specific interest in improving access to high quality medical care in the MidWest.

Stacy L. Hubbard, MHA-ED, RRT-NPS, EMT-B, C-NPT, CMTE

Stacy is currently the Transport and Communications Center Manager at Dayton Children’s Hospital. She has been a Respiratory Therapist since 1996. She has gained certifications as an ECMO Technician, Certified Neonatal/Pediatric Transporter, Certified Flight Communicator, Neonatal Pediatric Specialist, EMT Basic, and is currently taking classes to become a Paramedic. She has her Master’s in Health Administration/Education. Over the course of her career, she has also worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Kettering Medical Center, Miami Valley NICU, St Rita’s, and Joint Township in St Mary’s, Ohio. She also volunteers for the Huntsville Fire Department as an EMT and the Logan County Medical Reserve Corps.

James Huston, FP-C CCP-C C-NPT

James is a Flight Paramedic with 10 years of EMS experience. He got his start doing BLS interfacility transports in and around central Ohio, before moving into a Level 2 Trauma/Level 1 Neuro ER. Upon moving to Minnesota, he discovered his passion for critical care medicine while splitting his time between being a street medic and working on a ground critical care truck. Upon moving to Florida James moved into the HEMS environment and hasn’t looked back. During his time in EMS, he has served as an FTO, educator, and has served on many different committees aimed at improving standardization and patient outcomes.

Scott E. James, DNP, RN, MBA, NEA-BC, NRP, CEN, CFRN

Dr. James is the Vice President of Patient Care Services and oversees JeffSTAT clinical operations at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia. His experience in transport medicine encompasses 30 years as a paramedic, nurse, and administrator. Dr. James’ contributions to the field include: editor/co-editor/author for three editions of the ASTNA Critical Care Ground and Specialty Transport Standards and the Critical Care Transport Core Curriculum. He has presented over 20 AMTC educational sessions and served on both the ASTNA and AAMS Board of Directors. In 2018, Dr. James led a team to develop the critical care transport program for The George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. He is currently working to identify alternative models of care that address opportunities in workforce models and health equity.

Matthew Jensen, BN, RN, BHlthSci, CFRN, CEN

With a background in emergency, trauma, and critical care nursing in Australia and the United States, Matt has been a flight nurse with VCU Health LIFEEVAC for five years. With a particular interest in QA/QI, research, and bringing best practice to the critical care transport environment, Matt has written several textbook chapters, published journal articles, and has spoken at state and national conferences.

Tina M. Johnson, RN-MSN, CFRN, CMTE, CEN, ,CPEN, SCRN

Tina became a nurse in a rural ED setting in 1992. She began flying at a Level 2 Pediatric Trauma Center in 1999 and continued for 20 years flying in either an Adult/Neonatal/Pediatric specialty arena. During the last 30 years she has maintained frontline staff capability while advancing her career in leadership and educational roles. Currently she functions as a critical care transport nurse for a pediatric system and as a Stroke Coordinator for an adult system. She has served on the ASTNA Board for 5 years and still maintains a position as a Regional Director for TPATC.

Dustin T. Joll, FP-C

Dustin is a paramedic with experience leading exceptional teams in multiple facets of EMS. He is passionate about being able to delve into data in order to provide his teams with the information and perspective they need to do their jobs.

Marion L. Jones, MSN, RN, CFRN, PHRN, CMTE

Marion is the Quality, Compliance and Education Manager for the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania/STAT MedEvac in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Marion has over 23 years’ of experience in emergency and critical care nursing, with 18 years of those years in the critical care transport environment. With her current role she has managed the quality and education program for the past four years and has been integral in adapting the health system's career ladder program into the critical care transport environment.

Robert Jones, RN, CFRN

Rob is an RN (BSN), PHRN (Prehospital Registered Nurse), and CFRN (Certified Flight Registered Nurse) with OSF Aviation. Rob has been involved in EMS and Fire for more than 20 years. He began his nursing career as a Critical Care nurse in 2008 and has been a flight nurse for OSF Aviation since 2010 and the Life Flight Educator since 2016.

Alexis Kirkland

Alexis is Veterinary Technician of 6 years with a background in Emergency Medical care, holding a nationally registered license for over 12 years, working in a wide array of fields to include emergency, surgical and general practice. She is a Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Air Force Reserve with 13 years of accumulated service and a multitude of Joint Operation exercises to include direct deployment in support of Operation Freedoms’ Sentinel, in which she was held accountable for patient care and medical transportation residing over both U.S, Coalition and K9 patients. She is a trainer for newly gained veterinary technicians, teaching surgical and emergency care along with providing medical treatment/knowledge for two K9 units. She has recently gained a joy and affinity for instructing, currently holds a position with the joint support Tactical Combat Casualty Care program located at MacDill AFB Fl, where she resides as the lead K9 Trauma instructor.

Kathleen Koch, BSN, RN, CFRN, CMTE, EMT-P

Kathy has been working with the Tampa General Hospital, Aeromed air transport program as a Flight Nurse, Paramedic since 1996. Kathy is currently the Chief Flight Nurse for the Aeromed 1 base located at Tampa General Hospital. Kathy holds CFRN and CMTE advanced certifications and is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Nursing Leadership degree with Western Governors University. She is an active participant in local, regional, and state critical care transport initiatives relating to quality, safety, and patient care. Kathy works collaboratively with the Aeromed leadership team to maintain CAMTS accreditation, program policies, safety processes, and performance improvement initiatives. Kathy was a co-presenter at AMTC in 2007 and present in 2008.

Kolby Kolbet, MSN, RN, CFRN, FACHE, CMTE, FAASTN

Kolby is the Chief Clinical Officer at Life Link III in Bloomington, MN and serves as the Interim President & CEO of AAMS. Kolby has been a registered nurse since 2002 and cared for patients in a variety of settings including the Trauma and Emergency Center, Specialty Care Ground Transport, and the Pediatric and Neonatal ICU. Kolby as served as the Chief Flight Nurse and Nurse Educator at Gundersen Lutheran MedLink AIR in La Crosse, WI. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Allen College in Waterloo, IA and obtained his Master’s of Science in Nursing Education from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. Kolby is a Certified Medical Transport Executive (CMTE), Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Kolby is currently the chair-elect for the Association of Air Medical Services, serves on the board of regents for the Medical Transport Leadership Institute (MTLI) and is an active member of the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA). Kolby is also a Maxwell Leadership Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach. Prior to becoming a nurse, Kolby served as a volunteer first responder, EMT and paramedic.

Justin Koper, MS, CSP, MTSP-C, DICO-C, FP-C

Justin is a process improvement and safety professional, “amateur data analyst”, EMS educator, and college lecturer. He has passionately advocated for a culture of safety in EMS, improved patient safety in the pre-hospital environment, and data-driven decision making by EMS leaders. During his EMS career he has served as a federal disaster responder, flight paramedic, and a primary 911 provider. He holds a Masters Degree in Safety Management from West Virginia University and currently serves as the Continuous Improvement Manager for HealthNet Aeromedical Services based in Charleston, WV. He also is a lecturer at Youngstown State University in the Public Health program where he teaches Crisis Management in Public Health and Agents of Mass Casualty.

Thomas J. Liebman, MBA, FP-C, CMTE

Tom is the Northern Nevada Regional Director at Global Medical Response (GMR). His responsibilities include operations and business oversight for all GMR Programs in Northern Nevada.

Prior to joining GMR in 2016, Tom served as Director of Field Operations, at STAT MedEvac, a service of the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania. During his 20-year career with STAT MedEvac Mr. Liebman has held positions as Compliance Manager, Base Site Manager, and Outreach Coordinator after starting out at as a casual flight paramedic in 1996. He remained an active clinician during his STAT MedEvac career.

Mr. Liebman has been teaching at the AAMS Medical Transport Leadership Institute since 2009. Mr. Liebman also serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for the National EMS Memorial Service – held annually near Washington, DC.

Kayla Long, DO, MS, MAPP, FACEP

Kayla is an EMS physician based in Virginia, working with several prehospital agencies, a hospital-based transport agency and Air Medical agency. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency as well as EMS fellowship at Lehigh Valley Health Network in PA. She also received a Masters in Adult Education from Kansas State and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from University of Pennsylvania because she clearly has nothing better to do than go to school. She enjoys spending time with her two kids and torturing herself through endurance triathlon races.

Kelli C. Lund, MD, MCR

Dr. Lund is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah in the Division of Neonatology. She serves as the Neonatal Medical Director for the University of Utah AirMed Perinatal Transport Team, and as the Director of the Neonatal Telehealth (TeleNICU) Program. Her clinical and research interests include the use of telehealth to assist in newborn resuscitation in suburban and rural delivery hospitals, and the interfacing of telehealth and neonatal transport medicine.

Dr. Lund received her medical degree from the University of Utah, and completed residency in Pediatrics at Vermont Children’s Hospital, University of Vermont. She then completed a Neonatology Fellowship and a Master of Clinical Research at Oregon Health and Science University. Prior to fellowship, she served as a Global Health Corps physician diagnosing and treating infants and children with sickle cell anemia in rural Cabinda, Angola, for the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. She is board-certified in Pediatrics.

Maria Mandt, MD

Dr. Mandt began her career as a tree-hugging forestry major in Wisconsin. Saving human lives was, admittedly, not her initial career focus; but, after becoming an EMT in college, she moved from a focus on photosynthesis to a focus on biosynthesis. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 2001, completed a pediatric residency in 2004, and then a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship in 2007. Since joining the University of Colorado Health Sciences faculty at Children’s Hospital Colorado in 2007, Dr. Mandt has worked in the CHCO emergency department as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. She serves as the Chief Medical Director for the Children's One Critical Care Transport Team, the Pediatric EMS for Aurora Fire Rescue, and the EMS Medical Director for Children's Hospital Colorado. She also serves on the Emergency Medicine Practice Advisory Council for the State of Colorado and is a Board of Directors member for the Colorado Chapter of NAEMSP.

Britt Martinez, Police Officer, K9 Handler

MPO Martinez has been in Law Enforcement for 27 years. She has been a Tampa Police Department K9 Handler for 11 years and has worked two Belgian Malinois, K9 Taz (retired) and K9 Ronin (active), in dual certification roles of apprehension and explosive ordinance detection. MPO Martinez and her K9 partner are responsible for assisting the Officers at TPD in apprehending felony criminals. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of the community before, during and after the numerous events, concerts, parades, and sporting venues within the city and surrounding areas. The Tampa Police Department K9 Unit has 20 handlers each assigned a separate K9 Partner who they work and live with on a continuous basis. Our K9 partners are more than a tool in our backseat. They become an extension of each of us a Law Enforcer. They are our family. Those of us who work a K9 know that they will give their life with a single command for their human partner whether it be challenging a violent criminal or searching for a bomb or narcotics. We appreciate your willingness to educate yourself and others about treating, transporting, and potentially saving the life of our K9 partners. The words Thank You....would never be enough.

Julius McAdams, BME, FP-C, CCP-C, NRP

Julius is the Education Coordinator at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s critical care program, AirLink/ VitaLink. He started in emergency services in 1996. While working on his bachelor’s degree, Julius obtained his EMT certification and began volunteering with several rural North Carolina EMS agencies. His passion for emergency services was ignited and he went on to obtain his paramedic certification. After graduating from East Carolina University in 1998 Julius returned to his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. There he started working for the hospital based, New Hanover Regional EMS. Julius was active on their Bike Emergency Response Team, a Tactical Medic on the joint tactical medicine program with New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department, and a Field Training Officer for many years. He was involved in the process of New Hanover Regional EMS becoming North Carolina’s first model EMS system. Eventually, Mr. McAdams transitioned from the 911 setting to the hospital’s critical care ground and flight program, VitaLink/AirLink. He has served in the role of Base Lead, Shift Supervisor and currently holds the title of Education Coordinator. Mr. McAdams is keen to find process improvements that enhance patient care and safety, utilizing technology and out of the box thinking. Throughout his career, education has been foundational. Mr. McAdams maintains a hunger for knowledge and skill mastery and finds great fulfillment helping others advance their knowledge. He enjoys teaching in the hospital and community setting, precepting, lecturing and instructing certification programs.

Scott McClain, FP-C, B.S

Scott currently serves as the Team Coordinator and Flight Paramedic for Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance, based in Norfolk Virginia. After spending the last 28 years in medicine and public safety with evolving experience in pre-hospital medicine, invasive cardiac technology, as well as aeromedical transport, he looks forward to building more knowledge and experience while passing on some helpful tools to other practitioners.

David E. Meyer, MD

Dr. Meyer is the Assistant Medical Director for Memorial Hermann's Life Flight air ambulance program. He completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Arizona and fellowships in Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He is currently holds a faculty appointment at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in the Department of Surgery.

Paula E. Mickan, MSN, APRN-CNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, EMT-B

Paula has been working for Cleveland Metro Life Flight for the past 10 and a half years. During this time, she had a desire to go back to school to work on her master’s degree and become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. After completing this program, she stayed with same hospital to work as a nurse practitioner with the departments of neurocritical care and neurosurgery. This experience included an in-depth assessment of the neurosurgical patient and review of the non-contrasted CT scan of the brain. Bedside skills included central lines, arterial lines and placements of ICP monitors and EVD drains. This hands-on experience working with the department of neurosciences prepared and equipped her better to care for the patient with a traumatic brain injury. After 17 months with this department, Paula was able to return to her passion in caring for patients in the air medical transport industry as a full time Flight Nurse Practitioner.

Aurelia Miller, RN, CEN, EMT-P

Auri Miller is a Flight Nurse and Paramedic with 22 years of experience to include ICU, Level 1 and Level 2 Emergency Room/Trauma Center, and Helicopter EMS experience. She spent 8 years as the Clinical Liaison for the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center’s Special Operations Combat Medic Program and a regional Level 2 Trauma Center. During this time, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with health care professionals from around the world. Auri has a passion for identifying and implementing those evidence -based practices which have lasting impacts on the patients and communities we serve.

Tobin Miller, DNP, MSN/Ed., RN, CEN, CCRN, CFRN

Tobin has a variety of critical care, emergency and pre-hospital experience spanning the last two decades in both stretcher-side and leadership/education positions. In the transport environment, Tobin has worked in ground, fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and cruise ship nursing. Tobin is a well-recognized and sought-after educator who frequently lectures at the local, state and national level where he is known for making even the most complex concepts seem easily understandable. Currently, Tobin is a nurse educator for a large critical care transport program and works part-time with cardiology patients in a hospital clinic.

Tobin’s education includes a bachelors, masters and doctoral degree in nursing. Nursing education and patient safety are two of Tobin’s passions and his doctoral work included the first of its kind research looking at high-risk, low-volume error reduction utilizing targeted education interventions for flight nurses. In addition to formal education, Tobin also maintains certification in emergency (CEN), adult critical care (CCRN) and flight (CFRN) nursing, as well as is a course director and faculty for the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC).

Veronica L. Mitchell-Jones, EMT-P, FP-C

Veronica is the Customer Service Manager and a Flight Paramedic with Life Flight Network, and has an extensive background in EMS with over 20 years of experience.

Chase Niewoehner, BSN, RN, CFRN, CCRN-CMC, CES-A

Chase is a Registered Nurse with 9 years of critical care and flight nursing experience. Chase began his career in cardiac and intensive care units before transitioning into flight nursing. During his time in the ICU he developed a passion for cardiac assist devices and mechanical circulatory support. Chase is a Certified Adult ECMO Specialist (CES-A) and enjoys teaching with the goal of improving comfortability and knowledge for flight clinicians transporting patients on ECMO support. Chase currently works at ARCH Air Medical, an Air Methods community based program, in Granite City, IL. ARCH 1 is a high-volume base that frequently transports patients on cardiac assist devices and performs ECMO transports for the region.

Lesley Osborn, MD

Dr. Osborn attended Clemson University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then attended medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, graduating in 2013. Dr. Osborn chose to continue her career in Columbia, SC, and graduated in June 2016 from the Palmetto Health Emergency Medicine Residency Program. While in residency, Dr. Osborn served as an Assistant Medical Director for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Tactical EMS Team. To better serve this program, she enrolled in the Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy Academy and was sworn in as a Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy in May of 2016. She served as an officer in South Carolina until 2019.

Dr. Osborn relocated to Houston, TX, where she completed the EMS Fellowship program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in June of 2017. She now serves as an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School. She is currently double board certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Osborn was appointed to the position of Medical Director of Memorial Hermann Life Flight® in July of 2019.

Her operational EMS experience after fellowship also includes serving as the current Medical Director for Village Fire Department, as well as the the Associate Medical Director for Cy-Fair Fire Department. She also currently serves as a Captain in the United States Air Force Reserves as the Flight Surgeon for the 308th Pararescue Squadron at Patrick AFB in Cocoa Beach, FL.

Amanda Page, BS, FP-C, NRP

Amanda is a member of The Klamath Tribes of southern Oregon. She has spent the last several years exploring the gross disparities amongst non-white peoples in healthcare, particularly those in the Indigenous population. She speaks locally and nationally on these topics as a way to grow awareness in the medical community. Her ten-year career as a flight paramedic has allowed to see first-hand how racism and bias shows up in healthcare. Additionally, she is employed by The Klamath Tribes developing a healthcare initiative that will improve the health of Tribal members through traditional customs, culture, and practices. She has recently started work with leadership at Life Flight Network to begin a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative at the company.

Meaghan Panfil, MSN, CFRN

Meaghan has been a flight nurse with UCAN at the University of Chicago Medical Center since 2019. Prior to that, she enjoyed her time delivering care in both adult and pediatric ICUs. She is recently obtained her MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Meaghan is passionate about quality improvement and fostering advancement through continuous learning in her professional environment.

Amber L. Payne-Gregory, RN, BSN, MBA, CFRN, CMTE

Amber, Director of Medical Operations at AIrMed International, is a seasoned Emergency Medicine and Flight Nurse having been in Nursing for 19+ years. Her previous experience prior to AirMed International has been in the Emergency Department as a Charge Nurse as well as Senior Flight Nurse and Clinical Base Educator with Air Methods, Corporation. Amber is an instructor in BLS, ACLS and PALS, and has presented at the local, state, and national level in continuing education conferences for Emergency Nurses, Pre-Hospital Providers, and other Healthcare Providers. Amber has also been a contributor in textbooks from Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association, “Critical Care Transport Curriculum” and “Standards for Critical Care and Specialty Transport”.

Amber is an active member of the Emergency Nurses Association serving as the Alabama Council State President-Elect, Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association, American Nurses Association and Alabama EMS Association. She also serves within the Alabama AAMS Chapter.

Amber started with AirMed International in August of 2014 as a Clinical Coordinator. During that time, she completed her MBA with a Healthcare Concentration from Auburn University and was named the Director of Medical Operations in May 2015. She continues in this role today and is a collaborating leader within the Global Medical Response Medicine Team.

Donny Richardson, BSN, Paramedic, CEN

Donny is a Flight Nurse / Paramedic with 28 years of experience to include Adult and Pediatric Emergency Room/ Level 1 Trauma Center and Helicopter EMS. I am an avid off road racing enthusiast who for the last 15 plus years has operated a volunteer medical team which has allowed me to combine my love of racing and my passion for providing great care. Most recently myself and my regular paramedic partner were given the opportunity to design the medical interior with our Aviation partner Metro in our new EC145.

Riley Schaap, Medical Student

Riley is a current student at the USD Sanford School of Medicine. He is in his fourth year and hopes to pursue dual training for board certification in both Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He grew up in Beresford, South Dakota, and completed his undergraduate degree at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. Riley looks forward to serving in rural health primary care. He hopes to be an advocate and leader in this setting and to use his training to help bridge the gap in acute care and definitive management.

Christina M. Shelton, BSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, NRP, CMTE

Christina began her career in Emergency Services as a National Registry Paramedic at Moore County EMS in 1993. She transitioned to Nursing in 2000 as a Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Nurse at Moore Regional Hospital, while remaining part time as a Paramedic. In 2005, she returned full time to the pre-hospital industry with Duke Life Flight as a Registered Nurse. While she currently serves as the Education and Outreach Operations Coordinator, she has also held positions of Nurse Manager of Operations for the Smithfield satellite base and Clinical Team Lead for air and ground transport teams.

Christina holds an Associate and Bachelors in Nursing as well as an Associate in Applied Science-Emergency Medical Services. She is a Certified Medical Transport Executive (CMTE), and a Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program (CCEMTP) certificate holder. She has been a North Carolina Level II Paramedic Instructor with the Office of Emergency Medical Services since 2011. She holds two advanced certifications in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) and Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN), and has served as the liaison to the Air & Surface Transport Nurse Association (ASTNA) for the past ten years to host an annual Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC) at Duke Hospital.

Jared E. Sherman, MBA, ARM, CMTE

Jared is currently the Vice President of Operations, Northwest for Global Medical Response. Prior roles include serving as the Executive Director of Guardian Flight Alaska, CFO & COO of LifeMed Alaska, a Medevac program located in Anchorage, AK. LifeMed was a joint venture established in late 2008, merging two competing hospital based programs and soon after the acquisition of two ground ambulance programs. Jared joined LifeMed in late 2010. This was his first position both in EMS and the Medical Transport Field. Sherman received his B.B.A from Baylor University, majoring in Risk Management Finance & Business Management. And completed his Master’s in Business Administration in 2019.

Prior to entering the Medical Transport field, Jared served in a variety of roles within Risk Management. He was the Health, Safety, Environmental & Training Manager for UIC, an Alaska Native Corporation from 2008-2010. UIC experienced a tragic workplace injury resulting in the death of an employee. Jared was the first employee hired into the Department of Safety and tasked with development and implementation of the HSE & Training Program. The bedrock of the initiative was to create a culture change within the organization. Once the culture took root and the system was producing results, Sherman looked for his next challenge; accepting an opportunity with LifeMed Alaska.

Jared has worked for in all aspects of administration within the Medevac Industry. Starting as a Director of HR & Compliance and spending the majority of his tenure as Chief Operating Officer. He has applied his business and financial background to create effective systems & processes within the organization he has lead.

Joe Sherman, M.S., B.S.

US Air Force Academy graduate, Air Force pilot, Coast Guard aviator, retired Coast Guard Commander. He has been with the Nightingale program since 2008.

Benjamin Smith, MD

Dr. Smith is an emergency physician at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the medical director of Carolina Air Care. He is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. At Carolina Air Care, Dr. Smith has developed protocols for the use of point of care ultrasound and has overseen the training of more than 40 flight nurses and paramedics in the use of point of care ultrasound. Since Carolina Air Care began the use of ultrasound in 2020, providers have collectively performed over 150 scans during transport.

Stephanie L. Steiner, MSN, ACNP-C, CPNP-C, CFRN

Stephanie Steiner is currently a Regional Clinical Educator for PHI Air Medical serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan rotor wing bases. Stephanie has 15 years of experience as both a flight nurse and flight nurse practitioner functioning on ground, rotor, and fixed transports for both adult and pediatric populations. Additionally, Stephanie is a dual boarded adult and peditric acute care nurse practitioner with her most current practice setting in a Regional Burn Center Intensive Care Unit. This burn center cares for both adult and pediatric burn patients in an academic setting. Stephanie has an extensive background in education and teaching with roles as graduate faculty in acute care nurse practitioner programs and a unique flight subspecialty graduate program located within Ohio. Teaching specialties include acute and ICU level care as well as simulation based education for ICU providers and all air medical crews.

Joel C. Stroman

Joel is a first year medical student at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he participated in a clinical psychology research lab and worked as an EMT in Vermillion, SD. He is currently active in research in the fields of emergency medicine and plastic surgery.

Tracey D. Suppa-Todd, PHR

Tracey serves as Director of Human Resources for HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Inc. Tracey began her career in Human Resources over 25 years ago, almost by chance. While studying Psychology at the University of Kentucky, she picked up a part-time job working at a department store. When a store trainer position was posted, she just knew it was her dream job! She moved into the HR department at the store and fell in love with the field. After finishing graduate school, Tracey transitioned into Healthcare HR at Charleston Area Medical Center Health System, Inc., which is among the largest employers in West Virginia. Serving with a non-profit healthcare organization within her community was very fulfilling. She spent nearly 20 years at CAMC and touched all areas of HR practice from recruitment to employee relations and from benefits/compensation to policy development.

In 2020, leaders at HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Inc. made the decision to bring the company's Human Resources function in house. Tracey transitioned her HR practice to EMS and has been both busy and excited with the opportunity to build the first HR department for such a well-respected company. She's thrilled to be part of another non-profit team doing such important work for the people of West Virginia. Her favorite roles within the field of Human Resources include employee relations and leadership training and mentoring.

Tracey and her husband are celebrating 25yrs of marriage this year as they adjust to life as empty-nesters. Her oldest daughter is in the Physician Assistant program at Gannon University and her youngest began study at West Virginia University this fall. She is relieved to still have the company of her other best girl, Niki-dog, who loves to join her for walks and runs on the beautiful Greenbrier River Trail.

Charles F. Swearignen, BS, NRP, FP-C

Charlie is a national critical care educator and flight paramedic currently residing in Brandon, MS. His career began in Jackson, Mississippi where he worked as an EMT, paramedic and later flight paramedic with the University of Mississippi’s helicopter program, AirCare. Charlie left Mississippi and this dream job to chase down an Olympic berth in volleyball, and in 2016 he achieved that goal. Charlie is a board member of 2 charities, EMS Success and Chive Charities. He also owns Meducation Specialists, a business geared to help nurses, paramedics, physicians, NPs, PAs, and RTs prepare for their critical care practice in the air medical environment, and he is working to finish his PhD in physiology. He has written 9 books, two of which are bestselling books on Amazon including, Vent Hero, centering on mechanical ventilation management in transport. He is training to earn an Olympic berth to the Paris 2024 Summer Games. In November 2021, he moved back to Mississippi from Denver, CO with his wife, Marge, to raise their daughter, Isla. He not only returned to Mississippi, but also to the University of Mississippi, AirCare.

Alexandra Tang, BSN, CFRN, CNPT, RNC-NIC

Alex is a flight nurse at the University of Chicago. She has been a nurse for 14 years, with the last 8 years being in Chicago, with a background in Neonatal-Pediatric transport, NICU, Adult CVICU and as an EMT. She has been with the University of Chicago flight team for 3 years.

Cami Taysom, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, WEMT

Cami has logged 30 years as an emergency/flight nurse. Cami is a lead instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School teaching wilderness medicine in the US and internationally. Cami volunteers at remote medical clinics in Nepal, is an accomplished rock climber, mountaineer, mountain runner, and mountain biker. Cami has climbed and camped on glaciers and high Altitude. Cami enjoys spending time with family and friends with the outdoors as a platform for building lasting relationships and honing outdoor survival skills.

Lance Taysom, BSN, CEN, CFRN, EMT-P, WEMT

Lance has logged 25 years as a flight nurse and medic, currently with Air Idaho Rescue, Parks Region, of Air Methods Corporation, covering both rotor and fixed wing aircraft. Lance also serves as a Field Safety Representative (FSR), and corrdinates survival systems training for all Air Idaho Crews . Lance spends his off time adventuring with family and friends in the mountains, deserts, and rivers. Lance, and his wife Cami, instruct and consult about wilderness medicine and outdoor survival to SAR teams, professional recreation guides, outdoor schools, and wilderness therapy programs across the US and internationally. Lance enjoys the rewards and challenges of building relationships while learning to live and adventure safely in the outdoors.

Johanna Thompson, FP-C, CCP-C, CNP-T

Hanna is a Certified Flight and Critical Care Paramedic for Life Link III for the last 8 years. In addition to being a flight clinician she is a Clinical Logistics Specialist, Educator and Preceptor for Life Link III. Hanna has been in EMS for the last 18 years. She obtained her Associates in Paramedic Science in 2010 from Northwood Technical College. She worked as a Critical Care Paramedic for Sawyer County Ambulance and North Memorial prior to her flight career. In addition she is an EMS Instructor at Northwood Technical College for the last 16 years. Hanna also has a background in Law Enforcement, Tactical EMS and Music Education. Hanna is a member of Wisconsin EMS Association, Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association, National Association of EMS Educators and the International College of Advanced Practice Paramedics. She received the STEMI Award from Essentia Health in September of 2017 and completed the Extreme Ownership Muster Leadership Course in May of 2019. Hanna volunteers regularly with Haiti Air Ambulance and provided patient triage and care following the devastating earthquake on August 14th 2021. She was the first volunteer in the history of the program to complete 50 flights and earn a set of wings. In addition to volunteering, Hanna is currently in the Bachelors of Health Sciences program at Northern Kentucky University. Hanna continues to strive to become a better flight clinician, educator, mentor and leader in EMS.

Melissa Verseman, RRT, FP-C, CNPT

Melissa is a Respiratory Therapist and Flight Paramedic that has been involved in EMS since 1998. She has worked in the 911 and critical care settings with an emphasis on Pediatric/Neonatal and Transport medicine. Educating her peers and challenging other EMS providers to elevate their knowledge and care for complex respiratory patients is her passion.
Melissa attended Pima Medical Institute in 2002 and graduated in 2004 with an Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy. In 2010 she attended St Anthony’s Paramedic program in conjunction with Red Rocks Community College. She obtained her Certified Flight Paramedic in 2014 when she was hired with North Colorado Medevac. Melissa is currently employed with Medevac and recently worked on the Children’s One transport team.

In addition to flying as a Paramedic and Respiratory Therapist Melissa started an education company called Beyond the BVM. Beyond the BVM is aimed at educating pre-hospital providers in the use of mechanical ventilators and care of complex respiratory patients.

John vonRosenberg, MA, FP-C

John has been in Fire, EMS, critical care, and flight medicine for over 20 years. His primary job is working as a flight paramedic and currently works with a hospital-based critical care service in eastern North Carolina. In addition to his role as a bedside clinician, John is an active instructor at his local college. He has a bachelor’s degree in Education, a master’s degree is in Biology, and is working on his PhD in Cognition and Applied Neurophysiology.

John has spoken at multiple local, state, national, and international conferences, including AMTC, CCTMC, ECHO, and ICON. He has published articles in the Air Medical Journal and edited various textbooks for EMS and critical care. He began his career in patient care as a volunteer Fire Fighter, then transitioned to Ocean Rescue and EMS before beginning work at a hospital based Critical Care service and then as a Flight Paramedic. John began his flight career in South Carolina and transitioned to North Carolina, where he has continued to serve his community through patient care, education, writing, and public speaking. His background in both education and clinical practice provides a unique combination for revealing and communicating insights into developing research and practice.

Allen C. Wolfe, MSN, CNS, APRN, CFRN, CCRN, CTRN, TCRN,CMTE, FAASTN

Allen is currently the Senior Director of Clinical Education at Life Link III in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Allen has been a nurse for 40 years with 34 of those years in the transport of critically ill patients. He obtained his Master’s degree in Critical Care and is a Clinical Nurse Specialist. He is a graduate of Cornell University Diversity and Inclusion e-Certificate Program December 2021. He is the Editor of the Core Curriculum (2022) and Patient Transport Principles and Practices 5e one of the industry-leading publications. He is the leading expert in Ventricular Assist Devices in the Prehospital realm. He developed a color-coded system that is an industry standard.