Speaker Biographies and Presentation Summary

Michael is the President and lead instructor at First Approach EMS Education & Staffing. He is also a NREMT Practical Exam Coordinator and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. In addition, Michael is the EMS Program Coordinator at Middlesex Community College in Middletown, CT. Michael enjoys educating aspiring emergency medical technicians and training practicing EMS professionals through refreshers and continuing education opportunities.

E-mail: mdavis@firstapproach.org

Presenter Role:
President, First Approach EMS Education & Staffing

Presenter Organization:
First Approach EMS Education & Staffing

Presentation #1 Title:
Pros & Cons of LVADs: The Heart of the Matter

Presentation #1 Summary:
This session will discuss the history of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). What type of medical conditions necessitate the need for an LVAD. Common complications with LVADs. Patient assessment of LVAD patients.

Amy is the EMS for Children program manager for the New York State Department of Health at the Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems. She also serves as the EMS Liaison to the Coverdell Stroke Program. Prior to her current role, Amy filled challenging roles as an EMS educator, course content developer, author, conference coordinator, and training officer, as well as serving as an EMS provider for over 25 years.

E-mail: Amy.Eisenhauer@health.ny.gov

Presenter Role:
EMS for Children Program Manager

Presenter Organization:
NYS DOH Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems

Presentation #1 Title:
Emergent Collaboration between EMS and Athletic Trainers

Presentation #1 Summary:
Most times, EMS and athletic trainers form a team to care for student athletes in emergent situations. However, even just a few occasions of a fractured team can be detrimental to the initial care and long-term outcomes when treating pediatric patients. Join Amy to learn about athletic trainers’ education requirements, working with your local athletic trainers and organizations to pre-plan response to potential student athlete emergencies, and how team work can best benefit student athletes turned patients.

Presentation #2 Title:
Safe Transport of Pediatric Patients in New York State

Presentation #2 Summary:
Ambulance collisions are not a new phenomenon for EMS providers and per the CDC ambulances are two and a half times more likely to be involved in a collision than a civilian vehicle, yet often we don’t appropriately restrain pediatric patients in our ambulances. During this course providers will learn about the EMS for Children mission and associated programs related to the safe transport of pediatric patients in New York State, discuss specific New York State EMS collaborative protocols related to appropriate restraint of pediatric patients during transport, and take away key actions they can use to provide safer transport for pediatric patients.

Adam Fink has been engaged in the fire and emergency medical services for 15 years and in that time he has received accolades for his leadership and service as an outstanding provider and as an educator of excellence. Adam's passion for designing and preparing experiential educational programming that pushes student's talents and capabilities outside their comfort zone allows the students to advance their individual leadership and talents in the most challenging times the EMS community faces.

E-mail: a.fink@emtsny.com

Presenter Role:
Chief Education and Operations Officer

Presenter Organization:
EMTS NY, LLC

Presentation Title:
Beyond Triage - Managing the Rest of the MCI

Presentation Summary:
Many programs train EMTs and EMS leaders on how to manage Triage; what is left out is how to manage the remainder of the incident. This presentation will cover the remainder of of the stations that may need to be managed to ensure all patients, providers and partners work in an organized MCI system designed to ensure efficient and effective care. Leadership preparation and training is essential to ensure a well-practiced and prepared response.

I am currently a full time Home Care Nurse, part time EMS instructor, and volunteer Paramedic and Director of Operations at an all volunteer ALS agency. I was an ICU and ER nurse for 7 years prior to entering home care 4 years ago. I started in EMS in 2003 as an Explorer/Junior Member, CFR, EMT, Paramedic, and then CCEMT-P. I have been a CCRN and CCEMT-P during my career but currently are not on my active certification list. I am also a CPR, ACLS, PALS, and ITLS instructor.

E-mail: ajm02429@hotmail.com

Presenter Role:
Director of Operations

Presenter Organization:
Stanley Hall Gorham Ambulance

Presentation #1 Title:
Pre-Hospital Care; What Comes Before EMS

Presentation #1 Summary:
I to review what services are available to patients in the community, including Home Care (Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social work…etc), Managed Long Term Care programs, County DSS, Hospice programs, Meals on Wheels, Medical Alert Buttons, private aides and much more. Also speaking about what each program is able to provide and not able to provide for patients. Also speaking about where community paramedic’s could be beneficial.

Presentation #2 Title:
All things CPAP

Presentation #2 Summary:
Reviewing basic respiratory anatomy and physiology, the when/why’s to use CPAP, Contraindications to CPAP (ie why it important to assist ventilations over CPAP in certain situations), Why CPAP can be so beneficial for patients, and possible risks of CPAP.

Samantha Greene, NRP has been a ground paramedic and educator for the last 9 years in the EMS industry with a thirst for knowledge and helping both patients and peers alike. Samantha is also deeply passionate about fostering a conducive learning environment both on and off the truck while also advocating for first responder safety, including provider mental health. Prior to her career in EMS, Samantha held various leadership and mentor positions over the course of several years before finding her calling in emergency medicine. When she isn’t working on the truck or in the classroom, Sam can be found behind her camera following her other love of photography or spending time with family, friends and her dogs, Lucy and Dolly.

E-mail: samantha.maini@gmail.com

Presenter Role:
Paramedic

Presenter Organization:
Fall River Fire Department: Division of EMS

Presentation #1 Title:
The Complacency Cascade & How It's Killing Your Agency

Presentation #1 Summary:
We will discuss the dangers of complacency from not only a front-line view but also on an administrative and operations vantage point as well. During this talk we will look at the steps of the complacency cascade and discuss how each step down the slope can cause some serious problems for not only you as the provider, but your agency as well. We will progress through the 5 stages of the complacency cascade and stop to dive into the characteristics of each along the way. There’s a bit of a trigger warning to insert: you may be shocked to see what similar characteristics you see around you and perhaps, if we are being honest with ourselves, what aspects can we identify within ourselves? So join me as we take a look at The Complacency Cascade & How It’s Killing Your Agency.

Presentation #2 Title:
This, That, or The Other Thing: Anxiety, MI, or Both?

Presentation #2 Summary:
In this lecture we will discuss the similarities between the presentation of chest pain that is believed to be of cardiac etiology in nature and that believed to be an anxiety or panic attack, what the differences are and how ultimately one medical event could lead to another. Join me as we discuss the in’s and out’s of chest pain and anxiety in the field, some treatment best practices and opportunities, do’s and don’ts and key assessment take- aways that you can bring back to your agency and implement into your next chest pain encounter.

A fourth generation volunteer firefighter/EMT, Sara Gruver has over 15 years’ experience as a first responder and uniquely understands first responder culture. She is a paramedic with Erway Ambulance service and a volunteer firefighter/EMT with Watkins Glen Fire Department. Sara holds a master's degree in education and speaks and writes frequently on topics concerning EMS and special populations.

E-mail: gruversb@gmail.com

Presenter Role:
Paramedic

Presenter Organization:
Erway Ambulance

Presentation #1 Title:
It Shouldn't Be This Way: Pediatric Mental Health Emergencies

Presentation #1 Summary:
Pediatric Mental Health Emergencies According to the CDC, 17.4% of children, or 1 in 6, have a diagnosed mental health, behavioral or developmental disorder. EMS responders are increasingly called to scenes where a child is in a psychiatric crisis and needs to be transported to the emergency room for evaluation. This article will describe typical psychiatric etiology found in pediatrics as well as tips for managing the scene and treating the patient and their family.

Presentation #2 Title:
Cultural Competency and Patient Modesty

Presentation #2 Summary:
Many cultures and religious traditions place a high value on modesty, especially for women and girls. As EMS professionals we are likely to come across patients, both male and female, that have firm boundaries of privacy and modesty. Calling medical professionals may cause the patient a great deal of stress and anxiety, to the point that some patients may delay seeking treatment. Learning ways to respect a patient’s personal, cultural and religious values is an important part of treating a patient as a whole person, and not just as another emergency call. For patients, knowing that they have culturally competent providers treating them will increase trust and reduce the anxiety inherent in any emergency situation.

Melodie has been a member of the EMS community in the Rochester area for 30 years. She serves as the Assistant Chief of Clinical Care with the Town of Livonia Ambulance District and as NYS DOH EMS Regional Faculty in the MLREMS Region. She is also the Director of Didactic Education in the PA Program at Ithaca College and she provides clinical care as a PA in Occupational Medicine, serving the local fire and EMS community.

E-mail: melodie@amedicaltypeperson.com

Presenter Role:
Assistant Chief of Clinical Care

Presenter Organization:
Town of Livonia Ambulance District#1

Presentation #1 Title:
Becoming the Leader That You Would Want to Follow

Presentation #1 Summary:
Both managers and leaders are essential to an organization, and neither can flourish without the other. The two roles are inextricably linked and wholly complementary. but are often confused. This presentation will help you to differentiate between the two, identify when each is most appropriately utilized in the workplace, and determine your personal leadership style.

Naomi is employed full time by SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse in the Department of Emergency Medicine, EMS Programs. Naomi is a New York State Certified Instructor Coordinator (CIC) at the paramedic level. She's frequently found providing administrative and class support to the instructional staff and students enrolled in EMS courses at SUNY Upstate. She also serves CNYEMS as a clinical consultant and adjunct instructor. Naomi also maintains her paramedic with regular shifts at AMR.

E-mail: KrebsN@upstate.edu

Presenter Role:
BLS Program Coordinator, Certified Instructor Coordinator; Clinical Consultant/Adjunct Instructor; Paramedic

Presenter Organization:
SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Emergency Medicine, EMS Programs; Central New York Regional EMS Office; AMR of CNY

Presentation #1 Title:
Pediatric Congenital Heart Defects

Presentation #1 Summary:
This presentation will: present current statistics and prevalence of congenital heart defects; discuss the most common classifications of CHDs in infant and pediatric patients; and review common presentations of each to include signs and symptoms, treatment, and long-term prognosis.

Garrett Noone served as the EMS Chief fro Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS EMS) from 2020-2022. During this time he found himself in charge of students and discovered what leadership was. During school Garrett was also a live-in fireman for the City of Geneva. Through HWS EMS and fire, Garrett now wants to pursue a career in fire and EMS. He learned what it meant and the hardships that leadership goes through. He currently is enrolled in paramedic school.

E-mail: gnoone@mfau.net

Presenter Role:
Former Chief of HWS EMS

Presenter Organization:
Hobart and William Smith Colleges EMS

Presentation Title:
School of EMS: Lessons from a Collegiate EMS Agency

Presentation Summary:
EMS comes in all different sizes. It ranges from dispatch to the hospital and all of the providers in between. This means that EMS providers need to work with all different groups of people. Collegiate EMS is in a unique spot where there is constant change and working along side students can sometimes be a challenge. This talk will be used to highlight some of those challenges and how to fix them. It will also highlight what we can do to build relationships and develop a bond between agencies.

Daniel Schwester, MICP has been a paramedic since June 2000. He has served in a variety of roles including education, field training, clinical supervision, and active practice as a paramedic. He is the Managing Partner of Overrun Productions, LLC, and a co-host of The Overrun, a podcast focused on progressive issues in prehospital medicine. A goal of The Overrun is to bring cutting-edge topics to the prehospital community in all areas, including clinician mental health.

E-mail: daniel.schwester@gmail.com

Presenter Role:
Paramedic, Managing Partner

Presenter Organization:
Overrun Productions, LLC

Presentation #1 Title:
Ketamine: Riding the Curves

Presentation #1 Summary:
Ketamine has become a game-changing medication in prehospital care. Its properties are well documented in the online community and #FOAMed, but how well do we understand it? Does it actually do what we hear it does on the Internet? And is a little knowledge potentially dangerous?

Mark has just completed his 33nd year in EMS, serving 31 of them as the Chief of Operations of The Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad. He is also one of the founders and is the Director of the Mobile Health Care System which oversees the first Community Paramedic program in New York. Mark has been a Certified Instructor Coordinator for over 25 years, is Regional Faculty and a Program Coordinator. He is currently on staff at Hudson Valley Community College and Mountain Lakes Regional EMS. Additionally, Mark has extensive experience in "people" and "program" management. He was the Deputy Director of Public Safety in Rensselaer County New York for 8 years (managing a mid-sized 9-1- 1 center), served a term on the school board of education, several terms as a village trustee, and two terms as mayor. Mark is a member of NAEMT, NEMSMA, the New York Mobile Integrated Health Care Association and Northeast New York EMS Leadership Coalition. He has testified before a NYS Assembly Hearing in support of legislative reform to permit the expansion of Community Paramedicine. His primary goal in EMS has been to create a system to provide prompt, efficient, compassionate, and clinically appropriate care to patients in the region. He has done this through education, leaderdevelopment, cooperation, and collaboration.

E-mail: cvrs.captain@gmail.com

Presenter Role:
Chief of Operations

Presenter Organization:
The Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, Inc. / Mobile Health Care System

Presentation #1 Title:
"I didn't sign up for this - how to educate and motivate the EMS workforce to accept the changes in

Presentation #1 Summary:
The COVID pandemic has accelerated change in EMS delivery models. Now, alternate destinations, telemedicine, and community paramedicine initiatives are impacting every agency and every provider. There are EMS providers that contend, "I didn't sign up for this," creating a buy-in challenge in addition to workforce shortages. This presentation will provide leaders, managers, supervisors, and field providers guidance on how to best realign the workforce to accept and engage in the "new EMS."

Presentation #2 Title:
Wrecked... YOUR ambulance! Navigating the post ambulance accident.

Presentation #2 Summary:
This presentation will dissect a real, serious personal injury ambulance accident, from on scene operations when it is one of yours, to the responsibilities of the COO post accident and the impacts on the agency and workforce.

Joel Warden has served in various pastoral and academic service roles in Brooklyn for twenty years. He holds a PhD in Moral Theology from Fordham University and is an Honorary Chaplain to FDNY. He teaches courses in Medical Ethics, Death and Dying, Professional and Organizational Ethics at Fordham and at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, and also serves as Clinical Ethics Consultant at The Brooklyn Hospital Center.

E-mail: jm.warden.co@gmail.com

Presenter Role:
Clinical Ethics Consultant

Presenter Organization:
The Brooklyn Hospital Center

Presentation Title:
EMS History and the Creation of EMS Identity

Presentation Summary:
A brief review of two important historical moments in the US which significantly helped to shape what we understand to be the practice and identity of EMS today -- and a look forward into how what we encounter today will shape what we are called to become in the future.