Lighthouse Leadership Mentors

• Tony Bixby, MBA, NRP, CCEMT-P, FP-C

  Director of Prehospital Services and EMS Chief
  Susquehanna Regional EMS

  Tony Bixby is the Director of Prehospital Services and EMS Chief for Susquehanna Regional EMS in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as a part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) health system. He is a graduate of the Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center Paramedic Training Institute and has over 25 years of EMS experience working in both the ground EMS and air medical industry.

  He has over 20 years of critical care experience, previously holding the positions of flight program educator and regional manager for Geisinger Life Flight before returning to Williamsport as the Director of Prehospital Services for the UPMC North Central Pennsylvania Region. He has been an adjunct faculty member of the Pennsylvania College of Technology Paramedic Program for the past 23 years, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania and the American Trauma Society, Pennsylvania Division, and is co-chair of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council Critical Care Task Force Protocol Workgroup. Tony is also a graduate of the inaugural Lighthouse Leadership Program Class of 2023.

   

• Juan C. Cardona, MPA, NRP

  Firefighter-Paramedic Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department

  Juan C. Cardona, MPA, NRP, is a 28-year veteran of the fire service and EMS. He has served at the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department in Florida for the last 24 years, starting as a firefighter-paramedic. For the past 12 years, he has been division chief in charge of EMS and the fire department’s community health initiatives.

  Cardona has a bachelors’ degree in professional management from Nova South Eastern University and a Master of Public Administration from Barry University. He holds the Chief EMS Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and a State of Florida Fire Service Instructor 3 Certification. Cardona is a well-known international speaker and presenter who travels regularly and collaborates to improve fire and EMS in several Latin American countries and around the world. He serves on NAEMT’s Lighthouse Leadership Committee and received an NAEMT Presidential Leadership Award.

   

• Chris Cebollero, BS, CCEMT-P

  President /CEO
  Cebollero & Associates

  Chris Cebollero is a nationally recognized EMS Leader, advocate and podcast host. Outside of EMS Chris is recognized as an International Leadership Specialist, multi number 1 best selling author and motivational speaker. Chris is currently the President/CEO of his own consulting firm concentrating on leadership development, organizational process improvement and the transition of EMS to the MIH/CP service model.

   

• Kevin Collopy, MHL, FP-C, NRP, CMTE

  Clinical Outcomes & Compliance Manager
  Novant Health Mobile Integrated Health, AirLink/VitaLink 

  

  Kevin Collopy is the clinical outcomes & compliance manager for Novant Health AirLink/VitaLink where he oversees the system's research, education, risk & quality management, outreach, and reimbursement programs. Kevin has been in prehospital medicine for over 2 decades and regularly lectures across the United States. He has taught emergency & wilderness medicine on 4 continents and is an author of over 200 publications including 30 peer-reviewed research abstracts and papers. In addition, Kevin serves on the International Paramedic Registry U.S. advisory board, EMSWorld Editorial Advisory Board, and is chair of the Global Critical Care Transport Higher Education Council. He is a past president and emeritus board member of the International College of Advanced Practice Paramedics. Kevin holds a bachelors degree from Colgate University, a Masters in Healthcare Leadership from Western Governors University, and has a LEAN Healthcare Black Belt certification.

   

• Glenn Deitz, FACPE, MHA, NRP

  Manager
  Atlantic Mobile Health

  

  Glenn began his tenure in pre-hospital services in 2002, volunteering for Hampton Township Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Hampton Twp., NJ) and Grantley Fire Company (York, PA).  In 2006, Glenn began working as an Emergency Medical Technician within Atlantic Ambulance Corporation.  In 2009 he completed the Paramedic Science program at Union County College and subsequently began working with the Mobile Intensive Care Unit at Atlantic Ambulance.  Before becoming the Operations Manager for the Ground Medical Transportation, Revenue Cycle, and Community Outreach divisions of Atlantic Mobile Health (AMH), Glenn was active in many operational roles with progressive administrative and leadership responsibilities including business development and patient experience.  He has served in various leadership roles spanning his nearly 22 years of EMS experience and has proven his skills in EMS leadership and revenue cycle management.  Glenn’s divisions at AMH complete over 82,000 emergent and non-emergent patient transports per year.

  Glenn completed his Master of Healthcare Administration at Centenary University in 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from York College of Pennsylvania. He is also a Fellow with the American College of Paramedic Executives and has served in various leadership roles with the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  Glenn has a passion for the medical transportation industry and is always looking for opportunity to highlight the importance of these services in the healthcare spectrum.

   

• Rom Duckworth, Paramedic, MPA

  Fire Captain and Paramedic EMS Coordinator
  Ridgefield Fire Department

  Rom Duckworth is a dedicated emergency responder, author, and educator with more than thirty years of experience working in career and volunteer fire departments, hospital healthcare systems, and private emergency medical services. Rom is currently a career fire captain and paramedic EMS Coordinator for Ridgefield (CT) Fire Department, the founder and director of the New England Center for Rescue and Emergency Medicine, and is the recipient of the American Red Cross Hero award, Sepsis Alliance Sepsis Hero award, and the JEMS EMS 10 Innovators award.

  As the author of chapters in more than a dozen EMS, fire, rescue, and medical textbooks as well as over 100 published articles in firefighting and EMS magazines and websites Rom is working to advance leadership in modern emergency services education.

   

• David Edgar, MHA, CCP

  President of Edgar Public Safety and Healthcare Solutions, LLC
  Assistant Chief of EMS  (Retired) City of West Des Moine

  Edgar started his career as a volunteer with the department in 1986 and just retired after 37 years in EMS. He obtained his Master of Healthcare Administration in 1999.  He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulances Services, (CAAS) and the Chair of the NAEMT Lighthouse Leadership Program. Edgar is a former member of the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Highly Infectious Disease Committee, the FEMA Region 7 EMS workgroup, Iowa EMS for Children Committee, the regional implementation committee for Pulsara, Metro STEMI and Stroke Committee, and is the EMS representative for the Des Moines Metro Emergency Departments Committee.  Edgar was recognized as the Iowa Career Paramedic of the Year in 2000. He was the recipient of a 2013 JEMS EMS 10 Innovators in EMS Award, AAA Star of Life Award, and an NAEMT Presidential Leadership Award in 2022.

   

• Aaron Edwards, MS, NRP

  Captain, EMS Division
  Annapolis Fire Department

  

  Experienced Captain with a demonstrated history of working in the public safety industry. Skilled in Hands-on Training, Emergency Management, Disaster Response, Community Partnership Development, and Medical Billing. Strong operations professional with a M.S. Management focused in Public Safety Leadership from Johns Hopkins University School of Education. 

  Versatile and engaging, I inspire multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality EMS services. Over the course of 27 years, I have led effective responses to all hazards in a department with over 13K annual calls. My passion for technology leads me to embrace new tools that improve outcomes for the community.

  Adept in both management and hands-on roles, I champion best practices and promote knowledge sharing at all organizational levels. I am committed to building ethical and inclusive teams.

   

• Sheila Elliott, MS, LP

  EMS Director 
  University Emergency Medical Response Team, University of Texas at Dallas  
  

  

  Sheila Elliott is EMS Director for the First Responder Organization at The University of Texas at Dallas, where she oversees 80 volunteer EMTs who provide 24/7 coverage on the university campus. She started the EMS Education Division in May 2020, where the EMT program certifies over 300 students per year with a first-time pass-rate of 97%.  In August 2021, Sheila began working with hospital administrators from Methodist Health System to form a partnership called the North Texas Paramedic Education Consortium where a year later, an application was approved by CoAEMSP to begin the first Paramedic program in August 2023. She holds a Bachelors in Education and a Masters in Leadership and Management.  After teaching elementary music for 5 years, Sheila became a licensed paramedic in 1997, after one her twin sons was born with a severe heart defect, requiring 5 open heart surgeries. Sheila and her son, Colby, are proud spokespersons for the American Heart Association, speaking all over the country, raising awareness about congenital heart defects.

   

• Rob Farmer, MBA, FACPE

  Partner Manager
  CentralSquare Technologies       

  

  Rob Farmer, MBA, FACPE, has a long career in public safety, spanning more than 35 years. Mr. Farmer currently serves as the 911 Partner Manager for CentralSquare Technologies in Lake Mary, Florida, and has previously served as the Chief Administrative Officer for Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare, as the Director of Public Safety for Lee County, Florida, as the Director/Chief of Delaware County EMS in Central Ohio, and as a firefighter/paramedic for the Upper Arlington Fire Department in suburban Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Farmer has an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Hodges University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives, as well as serving as a Charter Commissioner.

   

• Magen Hallman, Paramedic

  Deputy Chief of Operations, Paramedic
  Lexington County EMS                

  

  Magen Hallman is a dedicated professional in the field of Emergency Medical Services. Magen pursued her education at Radford University Carilion, where she successfully obtained her associate degree in Emergency Health Sciences-Paramedicine in 2006. Continuing her academic journey, Magen graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Bio-Medical Sciences from Radford University Carilion in 2009. Her strong educational background and commitment to excellence laid a solid foundation for her career in EMS. Magen's career began with Carilion Clinic Patient Transport and Franklin County Public Safety. Her dedication and expertise quickly propelled her through the ranks. In 2013, she relocated to South Carolina, where she assumed the role of a Training Officer. Through hard work and determination, she gradually advanced and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations with Lexington County EMS. Recognizing the value of continuous learning and personal development, Magen returned to school in 2022 to pursue her Master's in Executive Leadership from Liberty University. Magen actively contributes to various organizations and causes. Outside of her professional commitments, Magen cherishes her roles as a wife and mother. She is grateful for the unwavering support of her husband in pursuing her career goals while raising their two daughters. Together, they create an inspiring and nurturing environment for their family. 

   

• David Janese, MD, MS, EMT-LP

  Adjunct Professor & Clinical Manager
  Bossier Parish Community College & Lavaca County EMS

  

  David Janese is the Clinical Manager for Lavaca County EMS and an Adjunct Professor at Bossier Parish Community College. He is a licensed EMT-Paramedic, holds a Masters of Biology, and is a Medical Resident at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA. 

   

   

• Jim Jones, BAAS, LP

  Deputy Chief - Operations
  Hardin County ESD #2 / Lumberton Fire & EMS      

  

  Jim Jones is a firefighter and paramedic currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Operations for Lumberton Fire & EMS in Lumberton Texas. He has been involved in EMS and emergency responses for more than 30 years with approximately 15 years of leadership and instructional experience.  Jones is a member of the EMS Committee for the Texas Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC), a NAEMT Education Coordinator, and volunteers for two rural fire departments in Texas.  He holds a bachelor of applied arts and sciences and is currently working toward his Master in Public Administration. 

   

• Baxter Larmon, PhD, MICP

  Professor of Emergency Medicine
  David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles 

  

  Baxter Larmon, PhD, MICP, is currently a professor of emergency medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Emeritus Director of the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care. He has been actively involved in EMS for more than 45 years. Dr. Larmon has dedicated his life to the professionalism of EMS.

   

• Rob Lawrence, MCMI

  Director of Strategic Implementation
  Pro EMS Cambridge Massachusetts                      

  

  Rob Lawrence has been a leader in civilian and military EMS for 3 decades. He is currently the director of strategic implementation for PRO EMS and its educational arm, Prodigy EMS, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Rob also owns and operates Robert Lawrence Consulting, where his key client is the California Ambulance Association, where he operates as the Executive Director.  He previously served as the chief operating officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority (Virginia), which won both state and national EMS Agency of the Year awards during his 10-year tenure. During this time Rob also held the appointment of prehospital chair of the Pan American Trauma Society, working with EMS systems in Central and South America. Additionally, he served as COO for Paramedics Plus in Alameda County, California.

  Prior to emigrating to the U.S. in 2008, Rob served as the COO for the East of England Ambulance Service in Suffolk County, England, and as the executive director of operations and service development for East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust.  Rob’s first career was as an Army Officer, and he is a graduate of the UK's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served worldwide in a 20-year military career encompassing many prehospital and evacuation leadership roles. In the Emergency Management arena, Rob was the first Ambulance officer in the UK to be appointed as chair of a county Strategic Coordination Group (SCG), the body that governs the coordination of emergency disaster response and operated in a joint leadership role for many operations and events including acting as GOLD commander for his ambulance services response to the 7/7 London bombings.  

  In the US, Rob led the ESF8 function for the City of Richmond EOC as well as acting as Unified Commander for many events, including Presidential visits, weather events and world and national sporting championships. Rob is the current Chair of the American Ambulance Association, State Association Forum, a board member of the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI), as well as a advisory board member of the International Public Safety Association. He writes and podcasts at EMS1 and Police1 and is a member of the EMS1 and EMS World Magazine Editorial Advisory Boards, Connect with him on Twitter @ukrobl1. In his spare time, Rob is an avid hiker and hill walker, and has published over 160 recorded and narrated hikes on his YouTube Hiker Vlog Channel (UKROBL Hikes and Walks). If he ever wins the lottery, he will immediately take the first 6 months to walk the Pacific Crest Trail!

   

• Chris Le Baudour, MS Ed, EMT

  EMS Administrator
  County of Marin, CA

  

  Christopher Le Baudour is the Emergency Medical Services Administrator for the County of Marin in California. He has served in a public safety training and education role since 1984. He is an expert policy development writer, author of six EMS education publications, and a former Board member for the National Association of EMS Educators. He is also an accomplished sailor and a private pilot.

   

• Kyle Levesque

   

   

• Jeremy Miller, M.Ed, NRP

  Assistant Chief
  Delaware County EMS

  

  Jeremy Miller graduated from Pickering High School in Pickering, Louisiana in 1994. Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Education, a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Leadership, and is finalizing a Doctoral degree in Education. After high school, Jeremy Miller enlisted in the United States Air Force as a medic. During his 20-year career, then Master Sergeant Miller, was assigned to various locations as a paramedic (flight and ground), an EMT and paramedic course instructor/clinical coordinator, Director of Air Force EMS, managed multiple emergency departments as well as fleets of ambulances and served in both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  Jeremy was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his leadership in Afghanistan.

  In 2014, Jeremy retired from the Air Force and took a position at the National Registry of EMTs as Chief Certification Officer. During this time, Jeremy volunteered as a paramedic for the Leesburg Township Fire Department and served as the EMS Captain. Jeremy also trained federal law enforcement agencies on medical courses such as tactical medicine, EMT/paramedic refreshers, and wilderness survival. Jeremy Also has served as a hospital administrator for a 128-bed psychiatric hospital. Jeremy currently serves as Assistant Chief (Operations) with the 2022 NAEMT EMS Service of the Year recipient, Delaware County (Ohio) EMS. Jeremy has been published in various research projects as well as in numerous national EMS magazines.  As an avid educator, Jeremy has presented in 36 separate states and has taught on three continents. 

  Jeremy was featured on National Geographic Channels Rescue Warriors 4, for his role as instructor for the elite special operations group of Air Force Pararescue. Assistant Chief Miller has held board or committee positions for the National Association of EMTS (NAEMT), the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) and The National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO). Additionally, Assistant Chief Miller was a founding member and board member of the Union County Public Safety Support Group.

   

• Josh Pelonio, BS

  Director
  Skagit County EMS

  Josh Pelonio is the Director for Skagit County EMS in Mount Vernon, Washington where he oversees a primarily fire-based county-wide EMS system. Prior to his current role, he spent more than 10 years in private sector EMS where he held progressive positions, including: EMT, Field Training Officer, Field Supervisor, and Operations Manager. He is the current NAEMT Membership Coordinator for Washington State and has served on various local and state EMS committees and workgroups including: the Skagit County Population Health Trust, the Skagit County Opioid Workgroup Leadership Team, the Skagit County EMS and Trauma Care Council Advisory Board, the North Region EMS and Trauma Care Council, and the Washington State Prehospital Technical Advisory Committee. Josh completed the Ambulance Service Manager program in 2014, obtained the Managing Paramedic Officer credential through the American College of Paramedic Executives in 2018, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in EMS Administration through Columbia Southern University in 2020. 

   

• John C. Phelps II DBA, DS, ACHE, NRP

  Assistant Professor
  Our Lady of the Lake University

  

  John Phelps is a Veteran of the U.S. Army and has over 22 years of experience in the Healthcare industry as a provider, educator, and leader. He has a broad background in healthcare with specific training and expertise in the emergency medical services and healthcare administration industry. In 1999, Dr. Phelps began working in the EMS industry in Odessa, TX. He serves as an Assistant Professor at Our Lady of The Lake University, President of Phelps Healthcare Education and Consulting, and part-time paramedic at Kendall County EMS. 

  John Phelps completed his Doctorate in Business Administration specializing in Healthcare Administration at Walden University, a master’s in business at Wayland Baptist University, and an undergraduate degree in Emergency Medicine at Wayland Baptist University. Dr. Phelps completed a Post-Doctoral Program in Data Science and Business Analytics at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a National Registry Paramedic, Data Scientist, and Healthcare Administrator. He serves on the RECERT Advisory Board, OBLS Steering Committee, and American College of Healthcare Executives. Furthermore, he mentors youth with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of South Texas.

   

• Matthew Philbrick, FACPE

  Manager
  GMR Life

  Matt is the Manager for GMR Life where he provides resources, education, crisis intervention, and outreach for all employees at GMR. As a career emergency responder, he has served the EMS industry for almost two decades, working in many clinical roles: EMT, paramedic, and flight paramedic. As an EMS Leader, Matt worked as the Medical Operations Manager for Mercy Flights, Inc. – the nation’s oldest non-profit air ambulance organization. In this role, he led dynamic teams such as clinical flight teams on both fixed and rotor platforms as well as a 9-1-1 ground ambulance system providing service in urban and rural environments working at the top end of the clinical scope.

  Philbrick is active in advocacy on both the national level and within his home state of Oregon. He has sat as Chair of the Oregon EMS for Children Committee, Vice Chair of the Oregon Senior EMS Advisory Council, and Vice Chair of the NAEMT Workforce Committee. He is an accomplished public speaker and group facilitator having been featured at EMS Today and the EMS World Expo (among others). Matt has been on the Incident Management Teams for small- and large-scale disasters including aircraft incidents, large scale fire events, and in 2021, served as the Branch Chief for an Oregon-requested FEMA deployment. In 2020, Matt was named as one of the "Top 40 under 40" EMS Leaders by the American Ambulance Association and is a Fellow at the American College of Paramedic Executives.

  Matt's post-graduate work includes a focus on Leadership Development, and he holds two master’s degrees - a Master of Management and Leadership and a traditional MBA. In addition to his responsibilities with GMR, Matt is an EMS Leadership consultant for SafeTech Solutions and works nationally with teams developing front line leaders. Matt has taken his expertise related to leading teams and responder wellness to develop a unique and innovative Mental Fitness Protocol (MFP-R) designed specifically for responders.

• Robert Rautio

   

   

• Ginny Renkiewicz, PhD, MHS, Paramedic, FAEMS

  Department Chair, EMS Program Director and Faculty
  Eastern Oregon University College of Business, Methodist University, Brunswick Community College   

  

  Ginny is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Health Care Administration and EMS at Methodist University. She has been involved in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for over 20 years as both a credentialed Paramedic and Instructor. She has spent nearly 20 years as a Program Director and has been recognized for her contribution to the EMS profession as a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medical Services (FAEMS) through the National Association of EMS Physicians. She has won multiple national and international awards, including EMS Educator of the Year and the global EMS10 Award for innovation in the field of EMS.

  Ginny holds an Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language Interpreting from Wilson Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Care with a concentration in EMS management, a Master of Health Science in EMS education (both from Western Carolina University), and a PhD in Health Science with a concentration in Respiratory Care from Rush University. Ginny is a reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals; serves as Executive Director of the Foundation for Prehospital Medicine Research; and is passionate about research, innovation, and student mentoring. She is also the Vice Chair of the North Carolina Association of EMS Educators and serves her local community as a certified medical examiner. Her specific research interests include defining predictors and profiling trauma- and stress-related disorders in EMS personnel.

   

• John Sammons

   

   

• Casey Smith

  Charge Paramedic

  Casey Smith began his public safety career as a volunteer firefighter/EMT in the suburbs of Omaha, Nebraska.  With more than 20 years of experience as a paramedic, he has worked as a paramedic in an urban Level 1 academic trauma center emergency department, as a firefighter/paramedic, and as a rural hospital-based paramedic.  He has also been a clinical preceptor and Field Training Officer.  He is currently a Charge Paramedic with a high volume county-based EMS system in west central Florida.  Casey holds Associate of Applied Science degrees in Paramedicine and Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Administration, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Paramedicine.  In September 2023, he graduated in the inaugural class of the NAEMT Lighthouse Leadership Program.  With more than 10 years experience as an EMS instructor, Casey is also currently an adjunct instructor at a local state college.  A strong patient advocate, Casey has professional interests in ethics in EMS, end of life care, and provider mental health.

   

• Macara Trusty, LP, MS, SHRM-SCP

  Paramedic, Manager of Project Management
  Global Medical Response           

  Macara Trusty, MS, is a paramedic and manager of project management for Global Medical Response South Region in Arlington, Texas. She has been involved in EMS for over 25 years, has over 23 years of EMS teaching experience, and more than 14 years of EMS leadership experience. During her EMS career, she has worked as a dispatcher, an EMT, a field paramedic and on an Advanced Practice Paramedic team. Before joining Global Medical Response, she was education and community programs manager for MedStar Mobile Healthcare in Fort Worth. Macara serves as the chair of the EMS Education Committee for the Texas Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC).

  She has led collaborative and cross-functional teams toward innovative solutions that improve the quality of clinical education and training in Texas. She also serves as the NAEMT Education Coordinator for Texas, and is a member of the NAEMT Education Committee. She has experience working in both rural and urban environments. She has been married to her husband, Paul, for over 22 years and has two daughters. She holds a bachelor of science in business management, a master of science in management and leadership, and is currently working toward her doctorate in strategic leadership. She also holds several certifications such as Project+, SHRM-SCP, Just Culture Champion, and others.

   

• Melinda Wilson, MAOL, CPC, CCEMT-P

  Disaster and Emergency Management Coordinator
  University of Tennessee Medical Center

  Melinda began her career in EMS in 2013 as an EMT-IV, advancing to paramedic by 2015. She is now both a critical care and community paramedic, holding a bachelor’s degree in disaster and emergency management and a master’s degree in organizational leadership. Throughout her career, Melinda has worked in the emergency room of a level-one trauma and comprehensive stroke center, where her scope of practice closely aligns with that of her nursing counterparts.  In addition to her ER experience, Melinda actively works with two EMS services and, in 2022, was instrumental in launching Tennessee’s first advanced care-at-home program as part of a pioneering team of community paramedics. Currently, she serves full-time as the Disaster and Emergency Management Coordinator at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, the same hospital where her journey in emergency medicine began.

  Beyond her professional roles, Melinda serves on multiple committees, including those under the NAEMT, IBSC, and NAMIHP. She also dedicates time to medical missions in the Dominican Republic, providing care and serving as a bilingual translator. Even with a career that Melinda considers deeply fulfilling, her greatest joy comes from her family. Alongside her husband, Rob (who is a paramedic as well), they are raising two children — Marcos and Delmy — who keep life interesting always.

   

• Steve Wirth, MS, JD

  Steve Wirth is a founding partner of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth (PWW). In a distinguished four decade public safety career, Steve has worked in virtually every facet of EMS—as first responder, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, flight paramedic, EMS instructor, fire officer, and EMS executive. He was one of central Pennsylvania’s first paramedics. Steve brings a pragmatic and business‐oriented perspective to his diverse legal practice—he served for nearly a decade as senior executive of a mid‐sized air and ground ambulance service, helping to build the company from the ground up.

  Steve is a dynamic and sought‐after speaker on a variety of EMS law and public safety subjects. He has authored many articles and book chapters on a wide range of EMS leadership, reimbursement, risk management, corporate compliance and workplace law topics. A contributing writer for JEMS,  EMS1 and EMS World, Steve has co‐authored the highly acclaimed and popular compliance manuals and video training programs produced by PWW. He enjoys teaching and is an adjunct professor for the University of Pittsburgh EMS degree program.