EMS Update 2026

Jimmy Apple

I have over two decades of experience in Emergency Medicine as a field provider in 911, adult critical care, adult ECMO transport, and pediatric critical care. I currently serve as a neonatal and pediatric critical care paramedic for an Atlanta children's hospital system. I also maintain the EMS Avenger social media channels as an EMS educator and advocate. My goals in this endeavor are the advancement of evidence-based medicine and best practices in the field of EMS and emergency medicine, as well as promoting kindness, empathy, compassion, and holistic care as core components of our medical provision. I speak at EMS conferences around the country and love being able to advance the cause and meet new people on the road. I am also an associate advisor with Cambridge Consulting Group, which provides expert EMS consulting services.

Doug Wolfberg

I am an attorney and founding partner of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth (PWW), a national law firm focusing exclusively on Emergency Medical Services (EMS), ambulance and medical transportation law. I am also a Mobile Healthcare Consultant and co-founder of PWW Advisory Group, and co-founder of the National Academy of Ambulance Compliance (NAAC). I have been involved in EMS for over 40 years as an EMS provider and EMS system administrator, as well as a nationally-known author, lecturer and respected EMS thought leader. I am also a musician and Beatles aficionado and author of the book, The Beatles: Fab But True - Remarkable Stories Revealed, released in 2023 by Schiffer Publishing.

Alhamza Al-Bryant, MD

Dr Al-Bayati is an Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. He is the Director of Pediatric Neuroendovascular Surgery at UPMC Children's Hospital and associate director of Neuroendovascular and Stroke fellowships at UPMC Stroke Institute. With a focus on stroke pathophysiology, thrombolytic therapy, endovascular techniques, and outcomes after ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in adult and pediatric population, Dr. Al-Bayati is actively engaged in national and international research endeavors to advance the understanding and treatment of these conditions. By combining in-depth knowledge, technical proficiency, and genuine compassion for those under his care, he strives to make a positive impact on the lives of critically ill individuals affected by cerebrovascular disorders.

Peter Allen, MD

Peter Allen, MD completed a General Surgery residency at UPMC Mercy, and now returns after completing a Navy commitment and Critical Care Fellowship. In addition to Trauma Care, Dr. Allen will bring his expertise in Acute Care and Robotic Surgery to UPMC Mercy patients. Peter Allen, MD, specializes in general surgery and trauma surgery and is board certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery. He practices at Trauma and General Surgery, UPMC Mercy and is affiliated with UPMC Mercy. Dr. Allen completed his fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, residency at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and medical education at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

Emily Allison, MD

Emily Allison is a PGY-3 emergency medicine resident at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Allison began her EMS journey as an EMT in college and proudly serves as a pre hospital physician in Pittsburgh.

Cassandra Asberry

Cassandra has dedicated over twelve years to emergency medical services. She has been a nationally registered paramedic since 2016 and became critical care certified in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in cell & molecular biology from Saint Francis University in 2020. In 2021, she transitioned into air medical transport and is currently a certified flight paramedic with AHN LifeFlight in Pittsburgh, PA. Passionate about advancing prehospital care, she co-founded LifeFlight’s Community Outreach Education Program and serves as co-chair of the Critical Care Transport Education Committee and the LifeFlight Unit-Based Practice Council. She is a member of the Allegheny General Hospital Emergency Medicine Research Council. Beyond her work at LifeFlight, Cassandra contributes to prehospital education as a content writer for FOAMfrat. She strives to elevate emergency and critical care transport medicine through research, innovation, and mentorship.

Justin Barry

Justin Barry is a graduate of Duquesne University’s Physician Assistant Program with over 20 years of clinical experience as a physician assistant. Justin has spent the last 14 years of his career as a physician assistant with Trauma & Burn Services at UPMC Mercy. He has been providing lectures on national, regional, and local levels on varied trauma/burn topics for several years and has previously presented at EMS Update in past years.

Colin Bashline

Colin Bashline is a nationally registered paramedic and current third year medical student at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He has several years of frontline EMS experience with agencies including Ross/West View EMSA, Plum EMS, and Mutual Aid EMS, providing advanced prehospital care in both urban and rural environments. Colin has co-authored peer-reviewed research in The Journal of Emergency Medical Services, with publications focusing on non-EMS opioid overdose response and best practices in fluid resuscitation. His professional interests include EMS systems, emergency care delivery, and rural health. Outside of medicine, Colin is an avid wildlife photographer, combining his love of the outdoors with the technical aspects of photography.

Justin Beal, PHRN, NRP

Justin Beal is a flight nurse, paramedic, and educator who’s passionate about making EMS safer, smarter, and more sustainable. He currently serves as an Education Coordinator with STAT MedEvac and is involved in both local and national EMS education initiatives. Justin blends frontline experience with a no-nonsense approach to teaching, aiming to spark honest conversations around burnout, culture, and what it really means to thrive in this profession.

R. David Bledsoe, MD

In addition to being the Commonwealth's EMS Medical Director, Dr. Bledsoe is an active EMS and emergency physician in central Pennsylvania. He has over 30 years of emergency medical services experience, active membership on Pennsylvania Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue, and many previous presentations at regional and state conferences.

Joshua Brown, MD, MSc, FACS

Joshua B. Brown, MD, MSc, FACS is the Samuel P. Harbison Endowed Assistant Professor of Surgery, Assistant Professor of Critical Care Medicine, and Assistant Professor of Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Pittsburgh where he also practices clinically as a trauma surgeon. He is the PI of the Prehospital Resource Organization and Delivery of Care in Trauma Systems (PRODCTS) laboratory, which focuses on air medical transport, field triage, prehospital resuscitation, and trauma system geospatial optimization. Through the PRODCTS lab he manages the academic/research arm of the Emergency Transport Healthcare Operations and Safety (ETHOS) air medical asset database. He also serves as the Data Core Director for the University of Pittsburgh Trauma and Transfusion Medicine Research Center and Director of the Pittsburgh Surgical Outcomes Research Center. He has funding from the Department of Defense to develop automated combat triage and evacuation algorithms and the NIH NIMHD to develop a consensus definition of air medical transport need in rural trauma patients. He also serves as the Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Research Committee and as a member of the Trauma System Development Committee.

Erin Butler

Erin is the current Director of Employee Services at ACMH Hospital. She has worked in many areas of nursing including inpatient medical-surgical care and education. Erin is the current patient and staff ostomy educator at ACMH Hospital.

Chase Canter, BS, FP-C

Chase is well versed in critical care transport and prehospital medical research with a vast understanding of biomedical sciences. He is the Scientific Affairs Administrator for a team of scientists, statisticians, and data abstractors who are focused on improving outcomes with novel resuscitation and acute critical care technology at ZOLL CMS. Sticking to his roots, Chase still functions as a critical care paramedic and is a proud member of AGH's Critical Care Transport Team.

Jonathan Carolla, BSc, NRP, FPC, NCEE

Jonathan P. Carolla, BSc, NRP, FPC, NCEE, is a nationally certified paramedic, flight paramedic, and EMS educator with extensive experience in prehospital care, critical care transport, and EMS education leadership. He serves as the Education Coordinator for Life Lion EMS and Co-Chair of the Education Council for Life Lion Critical Care. Jonathan also supports national education initiatives as Education Manager for Every Coast Helicopter Operations and provides EMS consulting through The Kyle Group, helping deliver education and training across West Virginia’s Region 1. Previously, he served as an Education Specialist with the Emergency Health Services Federation, where he led rural EMS education efforts and developed the Rural Mobile Education project, bringing high-fidelity simulation training to underserved agencies through a custom-built simulation ambulance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency medical care administration and has recently completed his master’s degree in Emergency Disaster Health Services with a concentration in education from UMBC

Caroline Chhabra, MD

Caroline Chhabra is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Originally from Cincinnati, she completed medical school at the University of Cincinnati before pursuing her pediatric residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Her career interests include child abuse, mentorship, and medical education. Outside of medicine, she enjoys making homemade caramels and keeping up with her own "little patient".

Brian Conner, MD

Dr. Connor got his start in pre-hospital medicine in a rural county in NC where he spent 4 years as a paramedic. He then went on to graduate from medical school in NC followed by a residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. He completed an EMS fellowship in Augusta, GA. He now works for UPMC and is an EMS Command Physician for multiple EMS agencies in Lawrence County and Mercer County.

Rachel Davies, EMT-B

Rachel is a senior in high school and became a certified EMT at the age of 16. She now is one of the Battalion Chiefs of the Uwchlan Ambulance Corps Junior Program where she is passionate about guiding other students toward hands-on learning opportunities, sharing valuable skills, and supporting their interests in exploring the field of emergency medical services. Her focus is to make EMS more accessible to students and to encourage the next generation of responders.

Bradley Dean

Bradley began exploring the career of Emergency Services at the age of 13 and joined as a junior member at Thomasville Rescue in Thomasville, NC. While in high school, he took as many courses as possible to begin gaining certifications and further exploring options. Following high school, he earned a degree in Emergency Medical Sciences, Biology and Chemistry, a bachelor’s in business, and attended graduate school earning a Master’s degree studying Ethics at Wake Forest University. Over the last 30 years he has been afforded the opportunity to work with various organizations through promotional opportunities and currently works for Rowan County Emergency Services in Salisbury, NC as a Battalion Chief over the Training Division, and is the Assistant Chief at Rowan Rescue.

Ankur Doshi, MD

Dr. Doshi is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, clinical director of the UPMC Post-Cardiac Arrest Service (PCAS), and co-director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Cardiac Arrest Survival (CCAS). He is an internationally known clinician and educator in the field of cardiac arrest care, having provided integrated care for these patients for the past 17 years in the Western PA region. He has lectured throughout the world on developing systems of care to maximize outcomes after cardiac arrest., including optimizing inpatient care, post discharge care, and CPR education. He leads or is a collaborator on multiple local and multicenter research studies focusing on patient care after cardiac arrest. He is on the Board of Directors of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and Cardiac Arrest Survivors Alliance and is a member of the AHA Systems of Care Subcommittee.

Rob Druga

Rob started volunteering with Munhall #5 ambulance in 1992 and never looked back. Graduated from the Center for Emergency Medicine in 1994 with intent on working for the City of Pittsburgh EMS. After working there for fourteen years he stepped out into the North Hills area wanting to become a member of the North Hills Special Response Team. He is currently the ATL for the TEMS devision, is the AHN Prehospital Care Coordinator at Wexford, is known for his comical comments along with patented hand talking, and is still on an ambulance at least one day a week.

Adam Frisch, MD

Dr. Adam Frisch is a physician and researcher in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UPMC. Dr. Frisch serves as the Medical Director for Cranberry Township EMS and for Wexford Volunteer Fire Department. He also serves as the Associate Medical Director for MFPAA. Dr. Frisch has been active in EMS for over 25 years.

Daniel Giannettino

Daniel has been a Firefighter and EMT for 10+ years and a Forensic Investigator at the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner for 4. He brings a unique perspective of having been on both sides of the phone when a death report is made. Jeff has been a Forensic Investigator at the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner for 7 Years. Jeff is also a Police Officer in Allegheny County for 30+ years. His knowledge of crime scenes and information gathering is paramount to the successes of our investigations.

Kayla Gordon, MD

Kayla is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medicine and she completed medical school at Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2024. She is currently a resident in Emergency Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital. She has been a paramedic since 2013 and has continued to serve in the field throughout her medical training.

Rebecca Greenstein, MD

Rebecca Greenstein is currently the EMS Medical Director at AHN Wexford Hospital. She attended medical school at The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed an Emergency Medicine Residency at Penn State Health and an EMS Fellowship with Allegheny Health Network. In her free time she enjoys hiking and spending time with her two dogs.

Mohamed Hagahmed, MD, MPH

Mohamed Hagahmed, MD, MPH, FACEP is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Associate Medical Director at the Center for Emergency Medicine. He serves as EMS Medical Director for multiple systems in Western Pennsylvania and practices in high-acuity emergency departments across the region. A graduate of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dr. Hagahmed is passionate about education in resuscitation, critical care, and toxicologic emergencies. He is also the creator and host of EMERGE in EM, a podcast dedicated to emergency medicine education and global health empowerment.

Jonathon W. Jenkins, BS, NRP, CADS, F-ABMDI

Jonathon has been involved in EMS since 2009 and has been a Pennsylvania and Nationally Registered Paramedic since 2015. Jonathon earned a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016 and a Master of Science in Emergency Medical Services from Creighton University in 2024. Jonathon currently serves as the Clinical Research Education Manager for the Linking Investigations in Trauma and Emergency Services (LITES) Network at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Prior to joining the LITES Network Team, Jonathon served as the Education and Training Administrator at Mutual Aid Ambulance Service and Program Director of the Mutual Aid-Excela Health Paramedic Training Program, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Jonathon continues to work clinically as a Paramedic at Lower Burrell EMS in Westmoreland County, in addition to serving as a regional examination evaluator and board member for EMS West, as well as an active member and literature reviewer for multiple state and national EMS organizations.

Matthew Jester, MD

Rithik Kamtam, EMT-B

Rithik Kamtam is a senior in high school. He joined the Uwchlan Ambulance Corps Juniors program in June of 2023 and became a certified EMT-B at the age of 16. He now serves as Chief of the Uwchlan Ambulance Corps Junior Program. In this role, he manages the entirety of the juniors program with help from his 6-person officer team. He strives to educate and inform the community about EMS and related skills, as well as advocate for more youth involvement in EMS, as they represent a crucial part of the future of the emergency medical services workforce.

Richard Kaufman, MBA, NRP

Rich is the Deputy Director for EMS West providing leadership, clinical and business direction to the Education, Clinical and Operations departments and is an EMS Instructor Trainer and an EVDT instructor. Rich is clinically active with the UPMC Advanced Response Team.

Aleksander Keller, MD

Born and raised in central PA, Alek transitioned to Yinzer life back in 2012 as a student at the University of Pittsburgh. He's continued his medical education at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC and now works as an attending physician at St. Clair Hospital, while also serving as a medical director for two local EMS agencies and as a command physician at StatComm.

Cynthia Kenmuir, MD, PhD, FSVIN, FAHA

Cynthia Kenmuir, MD, PhD, FSVIN, FAHA is an Endovascular and Vascular Neurologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she serves as the Chief of Neurology, Director of the Stroke Program and Director of the Neurointerventional Program for the UPMC Altoona campus. Under her direction, UPMC Altoona has become a Joint Commission certified Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center. Dr Kenmuir is particularly interested in acute stroke treatments, carotid artery stenosis, venous sinus stenosis and aneurysm treatments.

Justin Kenney, MD

Justin Kenney is a second-year resident physician in the University of Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Residency program. Before entering medical school, Justin worked full-time as a Firefighter/EMT for the Cincinnati Fire Department. During residency, Justin actively works as a Prehospital Physician with Pittsburgh EMS and STAT MedEvac. He is actively involved in local EMS leadership as an Assistant Medical Director for Cranberry Township EMS and is engaged in curriculum development and educational research with STAT MedEvac. After residency, he plans to pursue a fellowship in Emergency Medical Services and a career in EMS medical direction for both Air and Ground EMS agencies.

Kathleen Kern, RN, PHRN, CCRN, CFRN

RN, CCRN, CFRN, PHRN. I have worked at AHN/AGH for 38 years in many departments and rolls including: monitor technician, dialysis technician, dialysis staff nurse, telemetry floor nurse, transplant coordinator, TAVR/MitraClip heart valve coordinator, cardiac catheterization lab nurse, CTSICU & ER nurse.

Cassandra Kovatch

Cassandra Kovatch serves as the Public Information Officer and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety in Pennsylvania. She leads the county’s emergency communications strategy and public engagement efforts, helping ensure timely, accurate information reaches residents during crises. In addition to her local role, she serves as the Chairperson for the Region 13 Southwestern Pennsylvania Counterterrorism Task Force Public Information Committee, where she works to promote regional coordination and consistency in public messaging during large-scale incidents. Cassandra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security from American Military University and has earned the Advanced Public Information Officer (APIO) certification from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute. She also holds Basic, Advanced, and Professional certifications through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and excellence in emergency management. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, reading on her Kindle, and spending time outdoors riding.

Elodie Krawczyk

Elodie Krawczyk, NRP, is a nationally registered paramedic working in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science candidate in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently in her final year of study, she combines field experience with a strong academic foundation to advance prehospital care for vulnerable populations. She is the author of “Intimate Partner Violence in Emergency Medical Services: A Literature Review,” published in JEMS, and is actively engaged in ongoing research focused on improving EMS response to intimate partner violence (IPV). Her work explores the intersection of trauma-informed care, clinical education, and patient advocacy in the prehospital setting. In addition to her clinical and research work, she has taught EMT labs and worked night shifts in a busy emergency department—an experience that shaped her approach on emergency care from both prehospital and in-hospital perspectives. When she’s not in uniform, she can usually be found with a camera in hand, a book in her bag, and her cat, Patrick, nearby.

Vincent LaMantia, MD

Dr. Vincent LaMantia is currently an EMS Fellow at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA. He completed his residency in 2025 in Emergency Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital. Currently serving as Assistant Medical Director of AHN Life Flight and Critical Care Transport, Dr. LaMantia has interests in resuscitation, airway management, ECMO, and eCPR. Dr. LaMantia completed his medical school at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and his undergraduate degree at the Honors College at the University at Albany, SUNY.

Matthew Lambert

Matthew Lambert is a passionate advocate for preventing intimate partner violence and serves as the Intimate Partner Violence Project Manager at AHN's Center for Inclusion Health. With a foundation built on 20 years in EMS, including leadership positions, and 8 years in Business Development for AHN's LifeFlight program, Matthew understands the critical role first responders play in community health. Fueled by the tragic loss of his mother, Cathryn “Cat” Lambert, to IPV in 2015, Matthew is deeply committed to reducing the devastating impact of IPV on individuals and families.

Mollie Lauck, CRNP

Mollie Emrock Lauck, MSN, CRNP, PHRN, CEN, FNP-C, ENP-C has been in Nursing for the past 20 years, current working as a CRNP in both Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care Setting for the past 15 years. Her Family Practice Background has allowed for her to care for people of all ages and backgrounds, giving the opportunity for exposure to many areas within medicine including Pediatrics, Women's Health, and Orthopedics. With a great passion for education, she is honored and grateful to care for her Patient's. She resides in Pittsburgh, PA with her Husband, 2 Children, and Golden Retriever.

Matthew Lovell, MD

Matthew Lovell is a critical care fellow and emergency medicine physician at UPMC Mercy and Jameson with an interest in critical care and prehospital resuscitation. He specializes in cardiac arrest care and mechanical circulatory support with a focus on ECMO. He worked as an EMT/FF for over a decade at various departments in NY and OH prior to becoming a physician. He obtained his master's in medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University and went on to attend Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, OH. In his free time he enjoys anything outdoors, especially mountain biking, skiing, hiking and spending time with his family.

Jeffrey Lubin, MD, MPH

Jeffrey Lubin, MD, MPH, is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Public Health Sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine and the Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center. He is also the medical director of the EMS Training Unit at Harrisburg Area Community College. He is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and EMS Medicine and has been involved in EMS for over 30 years as a provider, medical director, and prehospital division chief. He has spoken at EMS-related conferences around the world. His research interests include prehospital airway management, air medical transport, and the intersection between EMS and Public Health.

Anthony Martin, MBA, NRP

Director, with over two decades of experience as a paramedic, has played a pivotal role in advancing emergency medical services in Pennsylvania. In December 2023, he took the helm as the Director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, demonstrating exceptional leadership and expertise. His dedication to clinical care, quality education, and the well-being of EMS personnel is unparalleled. Director Martin's educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Alvernia University.

Christian Martin-Gill, MD, MPH, FACEP, FAEMS

Dr. Christian Martin-Gill serves as Chief of the Division of EMS, EMS Fellowship Director, and is Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine / UPMC. He also serves as Associate Medical Director of STAT MedEvac and UPMC Prehospital Care.

Alaina Martini, RN

Alaina currently serves as a flight nurse at Allegheny Health Network LifeFlight where her passion is providing high-quality patient care and delving into educational initiatives. Her previous experience as a bedside nurse in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department at Allegheny General Hospital allows her to bring a unique perspective to prehospital medicine. Alaina will always be a neuro nerd at heart! She advances AHN LifeFlight's elevated standard of care through implementation of evidence-based practice and contributes to the growing body of original research in the prehospital environment. Alaina has published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated her findings at regional and national EMS conferences. She is enthusiastic about sharing new knowledge and research through LifeFlight's Community Outreach Education Program and is committed to growing the newest generation of nursing professionals by serving as a clinical instructor at a local university.

Avery McCoy

Avery McCoy has been working to bring intimate partner violence services to the health care system for four years. She works to provide support to survivors of domestic violence through trauma-informed care and compassionate collaboration with medical professionals.

Ashley McCrea, BSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, PHRN

Over the course of her career, she has served in high volume Level I Trauma Centers spanning across the country, rural ALS services, and air medical transport, caring for patients across the lifespan in high-acuity, high-pressure situations. Ashley’s well-rounded clinical experience allows her to bridge the gap between field and hospital care, offering unique insight into the continuum of emergency medicine. Passionate about advancing EMS and nursing practice, Ashley shares her expertise through education and professional presentations, with the goal of equipping hospital and EMS clinicians with practical skills and critical thinking strategies to improve patient outcomes in challenging environments.

David McWilliams

David McWilliams is a paramedic who has served in Emergency Medical Services for more than 42 years. He currently holds the position of EMS Specialist for the Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and maintains a casual position with the UPMC Saint Margaret’s Paramedic Response Team and Advanced Response Unit SQD 98 UPMC Passavant Cranberry. While attending Slippery Rock University, David became a first responder and volunteer for Richland EMS where he continues to serve today. After obtaining his paramedic certification, David began a 35-year career with McCandless/Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. During this time, David held various leadership positions to include EMT supervisor, Operations Coordinator and Team Leader. David has also been a volunteer firefighter for Richland Twp VFD for 34-years with 18 years as Assistant Chief. David resides in Richland Twp, Pa.

Samantha Meyer

Samantha is a critical care flight nurse with over eight years of experience spanning multiple intensive care specialities including trauma, surgical, medical, and neuro. With a decade of involvement in EMS, she brings a well-rounded systems-level perspective to prehospital care. Samantha currently serves as a flight nurse with AHN LifeFlight, where she combines clinical excellence with a strong commitment to team-based, high-acuity transport. An active member of the LifeFlight's education committee, Samantha is passionate about evidence-based practice and delivering education. She is especially interested in the gray areas of medicine, where critical thinking and collaboration truly matter.

Benjamin Miller, MD

Ben Miller is originally from Western Massachusetts where he began working as an EMT. After college at Northeastern University, he moved west for medical school in Albany, New York, and then even further west to complete his Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently an EMS fellow at the University of Pittsburgh and is the associate medical director of Penn Township Ambulance.

Kene Momah, MD

Kenechukwu Momah, MD, specializes in pediatric emergency medicine and is board-certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Momah completed his fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, residency at BronxCare Health System and medical degree at the University of Lagos College of Medicine.

Dylan Morris, MD, MBA

Dr. Morris (MD-14) is an Emergency and EMS Physician currently practicing at UPMC Mercy and STAT MedEvac. He began his career in medicine as an EMT, first in New Jersey, then outside of Philadelphia and Rochester, NY. He completed residency in Portland, Oregon and served as this assistant medical director for a large fire-based service there before moving to Pittsburgh for EMS fellowship. He now serves as an associate medical director for Stat MedEvac and for UPMC Prehospital Care. He is also the associate program director for the UPMC EMS fellowship.

Vince Mosesso, MD

Dr. Mosesso began his career in health care in 1979 as an EMT and Paramedic with several EMS agencies in Allegheny County, PA. After completing residency in Emergency Medicine, he joined the UPMC/Pitt SOM faculty in 1991 and has been active in teaching, research, clinical care and administrative service. Dr. Mosesso has authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers with a focus on cardiac arrest and automated external defibrillators. In 2000 he co-founded and served as Medical Director of the National Center for Early Defibrillation based at the University of Pittsburgh and continues to serve as Medical Director of its successor organization the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association Greater Pittsburgh division. He works clinically as an Attending Physician in the UPMC Presbyterian Emergency Department and the UPMC Medical Communications and Commercial Airlines Consultation Center. He serves as Medical Director for UPMC Prehospital Care and several EMS agencies, and is an NFL Airway Management Physician with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the Director of the Prehospital Care rotation for the EM residency program for over 20 years. Dr. Mosesso has been very committed to education at all levels and teaches courses for medical students, residents, EMS providers and other health professionals. He is medical director of the NAEMT’s Advanced Medical Life Support program, on the editorial board for two medical journals, and a member of the American Board of Emergency Medicine EMS Examination Committee.

Melony Murray, DNP, RN, CPEN, CPN

Melony Murray, DNP, RN, CPEN, CPN, is a pediatric emergency nurse with deep experience caring for kids in emergency departments and helping teams get ready for the “oh no” calls that make everyone sweat. Her background spans bedside care, program development, and regional leadership, where she has led efforts to advance pediatric readiness through the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP). Dr. Murray is passionate about equipping EMS and ED teams to deliver safe, effective pediatric care, especially in those first five minutes when everything feels like chaos.

Philip Nawrocki, MD

Dr Nawrocki completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA), and a fellowship in Emergency Medical Services at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD). He currently serves as Associate Medical Director for the Allegheny Health Network LifeFlight and CCT program, core faculty for the emergency medicine residency and EMS fellowship, and EMS Medical Director for Allegheny General Hospital. His research interests include airway management, resuscitation, and prehospital pain management.

Chadd Nesbit, MD, PhD

Dr. Chadd Nesbit has been involved in prehospital medicine at many levels, starting out as a volunteer EMT in 1991. Dr. Nesbit is both an academic EMS physician, an active prehospital clinician, responding to EMS with various agencies on a routine basis, and an EMS medical director for many agencies. Dr. Nesbit completed a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh and received his MD from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his residency training at Allegheny General and is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. His research interests include EMS education and outpatient cardiac arrest resuscitation.

Clayton Ondrizek

Clay has been actively involved in emergency services for over 30 years. Clay is currently a full-time response unit paramedic for AHN, as well as a casual paramedic for North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue, and active life member of Kiski Township Fire Department No. 1. Clay serves as the TEMS Team Leader for Westmoreland SWAT, as well as the Lead Tactical Medic for the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Special Operations Group

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP

Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, EMS Medical Director UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and EMS for Children Medical Advisor for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, board member of NREMT, former National EMS Council Advisory Member, and expert in pediatric prehospital medicine and health and media.

Daniel Patterson, PhD

Daniel Patterson is a paramedic and a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Emergency Medicine. He investigates the impact of night shift work on cardiovascular health and safety of EMS clinicians.

Luke Persin, MD

Luke's start in EMS began at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Emergency Medicine where he earned his EMT certification. He worked at Mutual Aid Ambulance Service throughout college at Pitt and attended medical school at Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, TN. He is currently a second year Emergency Medicine Resident Physician at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA and plans to pursue an EMS fellowship following his residency.

Anthony Pizon, MD

Dr. Anthony (Tony) Pizon received his medical degree from the University of Toledo School of Medicine in 2001. He then completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2004 and his Medical Toxicology Fellowship at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006. Dr. Pizon is currently a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. He serves as Chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Director of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship at UPMC. He is also Assistant Medical Director of both the Pittsburgh and West Virginia Poison Centers. Yet, most importantly, he is blessed with amazing wife, Caryn, and four wonderful children (Benjamin, Elizabeth, Gabriela, and Seraphina).

Tom Platt

Thomas Platt was inspired to become a paramedic after a familial loss. He now has over 30 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education and leadership. He has served on a number of national boards and EMS development projects. Platt has also served as project manager for international development projects. He’s authored numerous ancillary products and texts for EMS Education and has served as a paramedic for EMS agencies, a flight paramedic for STAT MedEvac and a volunteer firefighter. Platt is passionate about being an advocate for students to help them achieve their goals.

Matthew Poremba, DO, FACEP, FAEMS

Dr. Matthew Poremba is an Emergency Physician, EMS Physician, and Flight Physician at Allegheny Health Network. With board certifications in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services, he serves as the Medical Director of LifeFlight and as a faculty member for the Emergency Medicine Residency and EMS fellowship programs. Dr. Poremba is also an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner. Dr. Poremba has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. He later graduated from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency and EMS Fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital.

Ronald Roth, MD

Dr. Roth serves as the Senior Medical Consultant for the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety which includes police, fire, first responders and EMS. He also serves as a Medical Command Physician at the UPMC Medical Command Center. The Center provides medical direction to over 40 EMS agencies, the largest academic medical helicopter service (STAT MedEvac) and provides ground based medical direction for 20 US and international airlines. Dr. Roth also serves as Medical Director for the Pittsburgh Marathon and Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center and is a team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers Football Club. Dr. Roth led EMS for the City of Pittsburgh for two decades, including first responder deployment, is a mentor to many, plus an authoritative voice to improve care and professional relations among prehospital providers of all types in the region, in the Commonwealth and in the nation

David Salcido, PhD, MPH

Dr Salcido is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Co-Director of the Center for Cardiac Arrest Survival.

Ryan Senica

Ryan Senica is a Regional Manager for STAT MedEvac where he has been employed since 2015. Additionally, Ryan has worked for numerous EMS agencies throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania in his 20+ year EMS career. He also serves on the TEMS unit of Westmoreland SWAT. He attended Point Park University where he obtained a Bachelors degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Emergency Medical Services followed by a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration.

Claire Seo, MD

Claire Seo grew up in northern Virginia. She earned her MD at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and is now completing her third year of emergency medicine training at Allegheny General Hospital. During her time in the ED, she developed a strong interest in toxicology. She has presented at national toxicology meetings and has been involved in multiple toxicology based educational initiatives.

Todd Shipley

Todd Shipley is a Police Officer with the Munhall Police Department and is currently assigned to the K9 Division. Todd had been an officer for 25 years and in that time has been assigned to numerous details such as The District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, Firearms Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor. Todd regularly trains in Muay Thai kickboxing along with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he currently holds the rank of purple belt. Along with maintaining a current Paramedic certification he is also the Assistant Chief at Munhall Volunteer Fire Company #5.

Shane Spielvogle, RN, BSN, PHRN

Shane Spielvogle currently serves as the Manager for Emergency Preparedness at UPMC. In his current role, he supports over 35 hospitals and dozens of independent clinical sites in preparing for emergencies of all types. Shane currently serves as the co-chair for the Healthcare Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers and the Academic Healthcare Emergency Management Consortium.

Kelsey Stanton, MD

Dr. Kelsey Stanton is a PGY2 Emergency Medicine resident at UPMC. Her first encounters with EMS started while she was in nursing school, as a volunteer for her local fire department. After graduating from Pitt Nursing, she obtained her PHRN and continued to work ground EMS while working as an ED nurse for several years. The highlight of her career prior to residency was flying for STAT MedEvac as a flight nurse. After obtaining her MD at The Ohio State University, she is thrilled to return to prehospital care in Pittsburgh as MD-81. She is the assistant medical director at Washington Ambulance & Chair EMS and remains an active volunteer firefighter and rescue technician for Cecil Township Fire Department. She is passionate about enhancing prehospital care through education and research. In rare spare moments, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two cats, and two horses on their farm in Eighty-Four, PA.

Samantha Stoner, MD

Samantha Stoner, DO, is a second-year Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She completed her emergency medicine residency at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC, where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Stoner’s academic interests include advancing pediatric readiness in emergency departments and fostering medical education for trainees across disciplines.

Scott Studebaker, NRP, FAEMS

Scott Studebaker has over 20 years of experience covering a broad range of emergency services including Fire Suppression, EMS, Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue. Scott is a Paramedic Crew Chief with the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services assigned to Medic 1 covering the Homewood, Lincoln-Lemington, Highland Park and East Liberty sections of the City of Pittsburgh. In addition to providing direct patient care daily, Scott is also an adjunct instructor for the bureau and serves on numerous specialty units and committees. Outside of Pittsburgh EMS, Scott is both a Rescue and Medical Specialist for the Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team 1 that provides technical resources, manpower and expertise for complicated structural collapse responses and other technically complex rescues. Scott is the Captain for the Seville Fire Company in Ross Township and has previously served with the Berkley Hills and Perrysville Fire Companies in Ross Township. Scott is a local level non-suppression instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy System. Scott has amassed numerous nationally recognized certifications in the fire service, technical rescue disciplines and instructing. Scott is also a Professional Member of the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), has presented at their annual meeting and scientific assembly, has obtained their prestigious Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medical Services (FAEMS) designation and has been published via peer reviewed research in their scientific journal, Prehospital Emergency Care. Scott also holds the position of Secretary-Treasurer for the Pennsylvania Chapter of NAEMSP.

Owen Traynor, MD

Dr. Owen T. Traynor is a board-certified emergency physician and a recognized leader in prehospital care and EMS education. He serves as the Medical Director of Paramedic Education at the Center for Emergency Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, where he also holds an adjunct faculty appointment. Dr. Traynor earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1993. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine and a subsequent fellowship in Emergency Medical Services at the University of Pittsburgh. Over the past four decades, Dr. Traynor has served as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, AEMT, and paramedic, and later as medical director for more than a dozen EMS agencies across western Pennsylvania. A dedicated educator, he has delivered numerous invited lectures and teaches formal courses in paramedicine. Dr. Traynor is the lead editor of The Streetmedic’s Handbook, a widely used EMS reference text, and has authored over 30 book chapters and peer-reviewed publications on emergency medicine and prehospital care. He currently serves on the board of directors for the National Registry of EMTs.

Rickquel Tripp, MD, MPH, CDR, USN

Rickquel “Rikki” Tripp, MD MPH is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, EMS faculty, and Medical Director of 4 different EMS agencies: Penn Hills, Lower Burrell, SouthEast Regional, and Foxwall. She is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine Services (EMS). She has chaired the Networking Committee of the Physician Inclusion Council of Pitt and UPMC (PICUP) since 2017 and now serves as the first Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) of UPMC Graduate Medical Education (GME) since 2020 and first Vice Chair Diversity, Inclusion, & Health Equity (DIHE) of Department of Emergency Medicine since 2021. She also is the Co-Chair of UPP EM DEI Committee and former founding Vice Chair of National Association EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) DEI Committee from 2020-2022. She has created and promoted many initiatives to include UPSTANDER training workshop; UPMC GME and NAEMSP Townhalls addressing systemic racism, cultivating healing, & health disparities; Virtual URiM Recruitment Diversity Brunches, antiracism curriculum FOREM (Framework of Race Equity medicine), and creating a Department Diversity Champions list for better networking and communication. Dr. Tripp received the UPMC Award for Commitment and Excellence in Service (ACES) for her outstanding accomplishments and commitment in DEI in 2019 along with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Social Justice Educator Award and Onyx Woman Leadership Award in 2023. She was raised in Upper St. Clair, PA and began her academic journey across the East coast and Midwest after high school. She completed her MD at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, MPH at Harvard School of Public Health, emergency medicine residency at the University of Chicago, and her EMS Fellowship at UPMC in 2017. In addition to Rikki being a Commander in the US Navy Reserves and her previous service as a flight surgeon while on active duty, she is an exceptional leader, mentor, and educator.

Heather Valente, PA-C

Heather Valente is a Physician Assistant at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, where she has practiced since 2018. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Philadelphia University in 2013 and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Medical Science at the University of Pittsburgh. Heather’s clinical interests focus on the intersection of emergency medical services (EMS) and patients receiving palliative or hospice care, as well as the education of EMS providers in caring for children with medical complexities. Outside of her clinical work, Heather serves as President of Steel City Myelinators, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting individuals and families affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

Richard Wadas Jr., MD, FACEP

Dr. Rick Wadas is Vice President, Community/Ambulatory Services and Network Development at UPMC. Additionally, he is the Medical Director, Office of Referring Physician Relations/MedCall and a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Wadas is also the EMS West Regional Medical Director, overseeing clinical and educational operations in the sixteen counties of Western Pennsylvania.

Leonard Weiss, MD

Dr. Weiss is assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh school of medicine and serves as the medical director of City Of Pittsburgh Department of public safety. He is also operations director for UPMC EMS physician response team. He has a passion for technology and research into understanding and deployment in the field.

Megan Wood

I am currently a full time critical care transport nurse with AHN. I have experience in L&D and been working in prehospital for over 20 years.

Nicole Zeigler, NRP, MPPM, MGME, BSEd, BS

After earning my EMT certification from CCAC in 1998, I attended Valparaiso University where I completed a Bachelors degree with a concentration in Biology and Chemistry. I have since earned National Registry Paramedic certification, a Bachelors of Education as well as Career and Technical Education Certification II from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Master of Grant Writing and Management from Concordia University Chicago, and Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh. I have also volunteered with or been employed by several EMS agencies including Medical Rescue Team South Authority, Emergycare Inc., and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS. During my time as a Paramedic Crew Chief with Pittsburgh EMS, I taught ACLS, ITLS, and PALS courses for the training division. Since 2020 I have been the Public Safety Instructor at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education.

Jay Zhang, MD

Dr. Jay Zhang began his EMS experience as an EMT at South Orange Rescue Squad in Carrboro, NC. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biostatistics and Biology, and earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Dr. Zhang completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at UPMC and is a current EMS Fellow. He is an Emergency Physician at the UPMC Shadyside ED. He serves as Assistant Medical Director for Baldwin EMS, Flight Physician for STAT Medevac, and as a Prehospital Physician with Pittsburgh EMS. His special interests include wilderness medicine and technical rescue.