A Five Day Virtual Global Event
The Fourth Annual
EMS Leadership Summit
Over 30+ expert speakers from around the globe curated by and for prehospital care professionals.
The World-Class Experts You’ll Soon Be Learning From With The EMS Leadership Summit
New & Returning Featured Speakers
Raphael M. Barishansky, DrPH (c)
Since his start as an EMT he has never lost his connection to, or passion for, EMS even as he rose the ranks of public health to become Deputy Secretary for Health Preparedness and Community Protection at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, a role he recently left after several years to serve as an EMS and Public Health Consultant
With has the mind of an entrepreneur, the spirit of an adventurer, & heart of a nurse, she has owned 6 health care companies and won numerous awards including: Canada’s 50 Most Influential Business & Entrepreneur Female Leaders by SME Canada in 2021, First Nation Health Authority National Honor for impacting the mental health of an entire community, and CIBC Entrepreneur of the Year before age 30. Shari is the Chief Innovation & Operating Officer at Wayfound Mental Health Group and a faculty member at Queen’s University in Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, specializing in healthcare.
Richard A. Lazar,
For over 25 years, Richard has been designing and writing policies for AED programs, providing informed AED program compliance advice to clients and partners nationwide, inventing AED inspection technologies, authoring the industry’s most authoritative AED program compliance resources, and advocating for public policies that have the power to save lives.
Duncan McConnell,
MBA, MCOM, MPA, MACPP
Duncan has been working in the EMS and Healthcare sector for over 25 years now with roles starting off as a volunteer in mid 90s right the way up to Senior Management roles within Australia and abroad. His experience spans government, military and non-government agencies, helping to develop and deliver transformational change across a globalised paramedicine network. Duncan has also worked within education and universities developing both undergraduate and postgraduate paramedicine university programs and is a Board Director on the International College of Advanced Practice Paramedics (ICAPP).
Jonathan Washko
MBA, FACPE, NRP, AEMD
Is a 35-year highly accomplished executive focused in both the pre-hospital and healthcare operations improvement space with expertise in a variety of domains and topics. He is a leading industry expert on numerous matters, advising internationally with organizations, and governments on pre-hospital, mobile healthcare, and systems design and improvement efforts. Mr. Washko sits on a variety of boards and councils, is an author, researcher, educator, and is a balanced disruptive innovator, ideator and strategic visionary leader capable in business and cultural transformations.
Rob Lawrence
Communications Chair
Has served in civilian & military EMS roles over 25 years. He works on both coasts as director of strategic implementation of PRO EMS In Cambridge, MA, and as executive director of the California Ambulance Association. He previously served as the COO of the award winning Richmond Ambulance Authority (Virginia), during his tenure, developing a Just Culture atmosphere that focuses more on education and mentorship than discipline.
Mark Tenia
Public Relations/Media Manager
Is an experienced broadcast journalist who now serves as the Public Relations manager for the Richmond Ambulance Authority. His passion for helping promote prehospital providers through storytelling shines through. He is a returning speaker to the EMS Leadership Summit and has brought together an expert panel of our industry's top communications specialist where we can all learn how to grow awareness of our industry.
Alexia Jobson, NREMT, APR
Director of Public Relations
Is a public affairs specialist with REMSA Health, a ground & fixed wing air medical provider, and the largest out of hospital healthcare provider in Nevada. It is her mission to help protect the brand of the REMSA Health organization, and their exceptionally talented providers. With an Accreditation in Public Relations she joins the EMS Leadership Summit on a panel discussion of leading industry PR experts.
Josh Watts,
Founder Board Member
Founder and former CEO of MedTrust Holdings, a Southeast Regional leader in Interfacility Transport and Mobile Healthcare, Josh Watts is actively leading MedTrust's Cultural and Workforce initiatives. Having grown the company from 3 employees to more than 400 operating in the states of SC, GA, FL, Josh recognizes the most defensible competitive advantage: company culture. Additionally he chairs the SCEMSA Payment Reform Committee, serves on the Workforce committee, and sits on the AAA Reimbursement Committee.
Maggie Adams
Serves as the President of EMS Financial Services, with over 25 years’ experience in the ambulance industry as an reimbursement and compliance consultant. Maggie is known for her practical approach and winning presentation style. She has worked with ambulance providers and billing companies of all kinds to provide auditing services, assess their billing for best practices, and support their billing and documentation training efforts. Maggie is a Cum Laude graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Rob Cook, Ret. USAF
Creator of the unFIT brand and a Mindset Coach, Rob has worked with clients to help them discover their total health. "I firmly believe my understanding of the human experience creates a natural connection for inspiring my clients to convert potential into something tangible."
Asbel Montes,
Managing Partner of Solutions Group
Began his career in the ambulance industry in '99. His EMS career includes directing and leading teams that provided revenue cycle consultation to air and ground ambulance agencies, culminating into the position of Managing Partner of Solutions Group Consulting. Asbel is a respected thought leader on reimbursement initiatives within the industry and is a requested speaker at many healthcare conferences. Asbel is a contributing author in several EMS magazines and co-authoring the book, Management of Ambulance Services, as published by Prentice Hall in 2014.
David Daniels, MHRM, CSD
Is an Occupational Health and Safety Ph.D. candidate. He is a retired three-time fire chief whose 32-year career began in the Seattle Fire Department. In 2021 he became the first living African American to be inducted into the National Fire Heritage Center’s Hall of Legends, Legacies, and Leaders.
Chris Smetana, AS,FP-C,CCP-C,NRP
Chris Smetana is the CEO and Co-Founder of IA MED. He is also a Critical Care Flight Paramedic/ HSAR Tech and Critical Care Educator with +20 years of public safety experience. In his talk, he will stress the Importance of Understanding the responsibility of establishing a Just Culture atmosphere that focuses more on education and mentorship than on discipline.
Dr. Nadine Levick, MD, MPH
As a world-renowned author, researcher, and passionate advocate for safety in EMS, Dr. Levick will share the latest innovations in prehospital care delivery. Her last 140 slides in 39 minutes nearly broke the internet, so get ready to be amazed again! Remember, better, safer & cheaper is possible.
Dr. Victoria Reinhartz, PharmD, CPh
Is the CEO of Mobile Health Consultants, and is an industry leader in Mobile Integrated Health and Community Paramedicine (MIH/CP). Dr. Reinhartz is a founding board member of the National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers and serves as the MIH expert for the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.
The Conference For EMS Providers & Leaders Looking to Better Themselves
FeaturING SPEAKERS FROM
New & Returning Featured Speakers
Scott Moore, Esq., EMT, PHR
SHRM-CP
Is the owner of Moore EMS Consulting, and an active EMT for over 31 years. He has held various executive positions, including Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, Director of HR & Operations, at several EMS services in Massachusetts. Scott is a licensed attorney, specializing in HR, employment law, reimbursement, & compliance. Scott is the Human Resources & Operational Consultant to the American Ambulance Association (AAA).
Alexandra Jabr, M.S., EMT-P,
Holds a master’s degree in death, grief, and bereavement and is a Ph.D. candidate conducting research on psychedelic therapy for first responders with PTSD. She began her career in EMS in 2003 and has been teaching since 2008. Alexandra is the creator of Emergency Resilience, an educational platform dedicated to helping first responders build resilience by integrating marginal topics into routine training., and the online course “Death Communication for First Responders: How to Deliver Unfortunate News.”
Heather Sharar, Executive Director
Is the Executive Director of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania (AAP) and has spent the majority of her professional life working in association management. She has worked for the PA Medical Society and smaller trade associations over the years before coming to the AAP. She has been with the AAP since 2006 and helped to establish, as well as actively volunteers as the executive for the PA EMS Provider Foundation. The Foundation raises money to award in the form of grants to EMTs who want to further their EMS career and become paramedics.
Don Dereamus, EMT-P, Legislative Chair
Has over 40 years experience in EMS, and serves as a paramedic quality assurance officer and legislative affairs liaison for Suburban EMS in Pennsylvania. He iI the Legislative Chair for the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania (AAP) and has given testimony to the state's House Veterans & Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Mic Gunderson, FAEMS, EMT-P(Ret)
Mic Gunderson has been in EMS for over 45 years in various leadership, managerial, clinical and academic roles. He serves as President of the Center for Systems Improvement & the Chief Strategy Officer for the Cambridge Consulting Group. Mic has recently been appointed by NEMSMA and the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada to serve as Editor-In-Chief of the International Journal of Paramedicine which will launch in October. Previous positions include National Director of Clinical Systems for the American Heart Association, and Executive Director of the Kent County (MI) EMS System.
Harrison Young, ASET, MCPara
Is the founder of Medical Training Solutions in the UK, a multi-award winning medical training provider operating throughout the UK and ROI. Since 2017, MTS has been providing industry leading medical training to organisations such as the NHS, Serco, the UK Ministry of Defence and the United States Military. MTS has 4 central core values: credibility, innovation, focus, and passion and is proud to hold various gold standard accreditations such as ISO, ELCAS, RC(UK), QA and more.
Rick Ruppenthal
Spent 30 years as a paramedic, Superintendent for the City of Vancouver & retired as a Manager of Paramedic Education for the BC Ambulance Service. He continues to serve the Emergency Responder community as a Transformative Coach, Executive Mentor, Facilitator for Respect Canada and the founder of the Unbroken Hero Project, which is a project to bring a new health paradigm to the military and emergency responders.
Wendy Lund, MSc, RN
Is leading an organization to help foster psychological safety and wellbeing in the workplace. Progressive organizations understand the importance of creating mindful & compassionate leaders. They also understand when expert support to build that capacity within themselves and the organization is needed. With roots in resilience training for first-responders, Wellth Management now helps organizations understand the science behind stress, mindfulness and compassion in a way that is relatable, accessible and applicable to the corporate environment.
Dr. Oren Wacht, PhD, EMT-P
Head of the department of emergency medicine and medical simulation center. Paramedic in the last 20 years in the Israeli EMS and military reserve. He is a researcher in emergency medicine., a member of the JEMS International Editorial Board. Wacht is a lecturer at Ben Gurion University's department of Emergency Medicine and Health Systems Management.
Michael Touchstone, BS, FACPE,
Started in EMS in 1980. He worked in third service and hospital-based systems before joining the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) in '89. He worked as a CQI Officer, Field Supervisor, Instructor, Director of the PFD EMS Training Institute, Director of the Philadelphia Regional Office of EMS and Fire Paramedic Deputy Chief, EMS Operations. Chief Touchstone retired after serving over 32 years. Mike was President of the National EMS Management Association (2015-16). He’s published numerous articles and presented at many EMS conferences and symposia. Mike holds a BS in Health Sciences/EMS Management from the George Washington University.
Candice Mcdonald
Holds a doctorate in business administration with a specialty in homeland security, a master’s degree in organizational leadership, and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. She also has an extensive professional background in marketing. She currently works as a federal special agent for NASA in the Office of Protective Services, where she utilizes skills including grant and project management, budgeting, and staff management. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at Eastern Gateway Community College, serves as a recruitment and retention expert for the U.S. Fire Administration, and has taught recruitment and retention courses across the U.S.
Michael Neill, CEO
Is an internationally renowned transformative teacher, author, broadcaster, and speaker, described as having the unique ability to “blend the sacred with the profane”. The inside-out understanding at the heart of his work challenges the cultural mythology that stress, pressure, and other symptoms of “seriousness” are a necessary part of adaptation and growth in business or indeed any area of life. Michael has authored six best-selling books including Creating the Impossible, The Inside-Out Revolution, The Space Within, and Supercoach. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages, and his public talks, retreats and seminars have touched and transformed lives at the United Nations and in over 60 countries and on six continents.
New & Returning Featured Speakers
Eric Chase
Has held positions ranging from Clinical Services Manager, Field Training Officer, Flight Paramedic, Fire Paramedic. Creator of #EMSImprov, he also serves on the American Ambulance Association Education Committee & is past member of the National Association of EMS Educators, Cultural Competency Committee. Eric is a frequent speaker on subjects; The use of Improvisation in creating safe and collaborative environments, Simulation and Improv, Crew Resource Management, The Handoff, PTSD, and more.
Chris Cebollero
Is an EMS Leadership, Author, and Advocate. He is recognized and an international leadership specialist, is a multi number 1 best selling author and motivational speaker. Chris is currently the President/CEO of his own consulting firm focusing on leadership development, organizational process improvement and the transition of EMS to the community Paramedicine care model.
Marques Bush
Marques is a 24 year veteran of the fire service. Bush is an advocate for demonstrative leadership. Bush has a Master Degree in Organizational Leadership from Waldorf University and certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida Mumar school of Business. Bush most recently served as the Deputy Fire Chief of Support Services for Harrisonburg Fire Department.
More Speakers Being Added!
Save your seat for FREE at the EMS leadership event of the year!
Don't miss out on this golden opportunity to learn how to take your leadership to the next level.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Lisa Giruzzi
Co-Founder of the EMS Leadership Academy, transformational business coach, best selling author and speaker.
My mission is to bring out the best in others and help business leaders operate at their best. From my early days of social work to working with Emergency Services leaders and nonprofits, I've found this work incredibly moving.
If you find yourself challenged, that's a good place to be, and I'm here to help you navigate the sometimes complicated world we find ourselves in.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Robbie MacCue
I’m the co-founder of the EMS Leadership Academy, a Flight Paramedic, 14 years of executive leadership experience serving as President and on the board of a nonprofit organization.
My mission is to bring top thought leaders from EMS and healthcare together and deliver the best leadership advice to organizations. If you are ready to put in the work, I’m here to show you the way.