Welcome to Day 5 Of The EMS Leadership Summit
You'll receive a daily email with session reminders and links to access. All Access Pass-holders get instant and lifetime access to the sessions. Free pass-holders will get 24 hours to watch the day's sessions starting at 8AM ET. View the Playbook for a full schedule of session.
Improving EMS the Toyota Way
Jon Kavanagh
About the Session:
Toyota has set the standard in automobile manufacturing for decades, so why shouldn't EMS learn from them? Starting with continuous improvement and respect for people, Toyota has built a system that reduces the stress and frustration throughout its organization, including its vendors and customers--the entire system benefits. We will explore the philosophies and practices that has made Toyota successful and adopt them to help to improve EMS.
About the Speakers:
After 30 years in EMS, Jon is focused on improving EMS to make things easier and better for the frontline crews, leaders, and community. Using CliftonStrengths to help individuals bring their unique best self to applying a systems-based approach to improvement, he helps bring new value to what organizations are doing everyday.
Breaking Tradition
Overcoming EMS Culture Barriers to Recruitment
Featuring Battalion Chief Cory Key, Retired
About the Session:
Why does poor leadership communication remain a top concern in EMS year after year? This session explores the deeper, often overlooked causes behind inconsistent leadership behavior—not just the strategies, but the mindset. Through real-world examples, we’ll uncover how insecure thinking impacts support and communication, and how shifting this internal dynamic can lead to more consistent, reliable leadership in EMS.
About the Speakers:
Rick Ruppenthal, brings over 30 years of frontline and senior leadership experience in Emergency Medical Services. As a former Paramedic, District Superintendent, and Senior Leader of Education for BCEHS, Rick managed complex projects, including the Community Paramedic Program and competency-based training. Recognized with awards such as the Canadian EMS Exemplary Service Medal and a Governor General Commendation, Rick is passionate about empowering EMS leaders to thrive amidst chaos. Now a Transformative Coach and Mental Health Educator, Rick specializes in fostering resilience and clarity through understanding simple principles, helping teams and individuals lead with confidence and navigate challenges with insight.
Career & Advancement Pathways
What direction are you going?
Featuring Duncan McConnell, Senior Lecturer Paramedicine
About the Session:
Join Duncan as he discuss career pathways and opportunities and the various approaches you can take along the way.
About the Speaker:
Duncan is a Senior Lecturer in Paramedicine and a Paramedic Practitioner who draws on over 28 years of experience in pre-hospital care, management, GLNG mining, and the ICT industries to drive innovation, transformational change, and continuous professional development with a clear, practical, and client-focused approach. He has worked with ambulances across Australia, specifically in Queensland and the Northern Territory, and has also consulted internationally. Additionally, his experience includes serving as the Foundational Paramedicine Program Director and Senior Lecturer at the School of Medicine and Dentistry at Griffith University.
Defining the Pregnancy & Postpartum
Experience of EMS clinicians
Featuring Molly McCann-Pineo, PhD MS
About the Session:
We will discuss preliminary results from our ongoing research study, which follows pregnant EMS clinicians throughout their pregnancy and postpartum period.
About the Speaker:
Dr. McCann-Pineo is a clinical epidemiologist by training and currently serves at the Director of Clinical Research for the Emergency Medicine Service Line at Northwell Health. She holds dual faculty appointments in Emergency Medicine & Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention at the Zucker School of Medicine. She also a licensed New York State Emergency Medical Technician.
Testimony After Trauma: Understanding Sanctuary Trauma, Moral Injury, & the Courtroom Experience
Featuring Laura Kloosterman Executive Director Badge of Life Canada
About the Session:
This presentation explores the psychological and emotional toll on Public Safety Personnel (PSP) required to testify in court following a traumatic event. Drawing from Testifying After Trauma, we will examine sanctuary trauma, moral injury, and the critical role of peer support, mental health professionals, and organizational leadership in preparing and supporting individuals before, during, and after testimony. Through real-world examples and lived experience, this session aims to highlight best practices for mitigating risk, fostering resilience, and ensuring PSP have the necessary support to navigate the legal process without further harm.
About the Speaker:
Laura Kloosterman is the Executive Director of Badge of Life Canada, a registered charity dedicated to supporting Public Safety Personnel and their families dealing with operational stress injuries. With 32 years of service in the Ontario Provincial Police, she brings firsthand experience and deep commitment to mental health advocacy. Laura leads initiatives that provide peer support, education, and trauma-informed resources to first responders. She collaborates with professionals, organizations, and communities to promote resilience and post-traumatic growth. Passionate about systemic change, she actively works to improve mental health coverage and support networks for those who serve and protect.
Do I stay or do I go?
Reclaiming Clarity & Control
Featuring Julianne Stevenson
About the Session:
Do you hate your life? Or maybe you fear that your adjunct faculty hate their time with you? Either way, we’ll take a look at a structured way to identify YOUR real factors so that we can make the adjustments to make life better (or decide it is time to make the jump).
About the Speakers:
Julianne fell into EMS "accidentally" but found a passion, and in EMS education, she found an avenue to truly impact change. She holds a BS in Biomedical Science and an MS in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. She's been in EMS since 1997 and EMS education since 1998. Julianne’s “leadership” education has been mostly non-formal, self-driven, and trial & error; however, she hopes that she can inspire and empower other educators to go on and get on the “Educational Leadership” train early in their careers—and thereby produce better clinicians!
EMS Safety Innovation:
New Frontiers for Saving Lives, Time & Money
Featuring Dr. Nadine Levick, MD, MPH
About the Session:
Bonus session with Dr. Levick: session will be added shortly...
Explore the cutting edge of EMS safety with Dr. Nadine Levick, an international leader in integrating science, medicine, engineering, and innovation. Despite 25 years of compelling safety data, many EMS systems lag behind in adopting proven practices—while ambulance transport still lacks basic safety standards applied in other industries. From civilian to military innovation, this session uncovers new frontiers in EMS safety, policy, and system design that save lives, time, and money. Learn why safety science matters—and what’s standing in the way of its implementation.
About the Speakers:
A leader internationally in EMS Safety at the interface between medicine, health care delivery, science, engineering, technology and community integration. An Emergency Medicine physician, clinician and researcher and innovator. Conducted the world’s first ambulance crash tests. Inaugural chair of the National Academies of Science Medicine and Engineering EMS Safety subcommittee. Established the international EMS Safety Foundation think tank and Objective Safety knowledge portal. A sought after keynote speaker globally. Secured US$4+ million funding for interdisciplinary, multi-institution research and innovation. Multiple research and recognition awards internationally. Her career spans 3 continents, disciplines and decades, and has impacted policy and practice internationally.
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