EMS Update 2023 Invited Faculty

Ariel Aballay, MD, FACS

Medical Director | Burn Center | AHN West Penn Hospital
Session: Prehospital Burn Management | March 24 | 10:30 am

Ariel Aballay is a member of the Burn Prevention Committee at the American Burn Association and has served as member of the International Outreach committee and Ethics committee in the past. He is National Faculty of the ABLS educational course. He has presented in numerous National and International conferences.

Keith Alangaden, MD

Keith Alangaden, MD began his EMS career as an EMT in Michigan. He attended medical school at Wayne State University and completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he also served as Chief Resident. He is currently an EMS fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, works as a flight physician with STAT MedEvac, and serves as assistant medical director for Southeast Regional EMS. He has a particular interest in EMS education.

Aaron J. Allen, MS

Owner | Elite Tactical Firearms Training
Session: Tactical Communications | March 24 | 3:00 pm

Aaron J. Allen is a law enforcement officer, professor, and consultant, who values service and education to improve relationships within his community. Aaron is the Owner of Elite Tactical Firearms Training. Aaron graduated from Chowan University in North Carolina with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. Shortly after, he went on to earn his Masters Degree from Point Park University in Criminal Justice Administration and Management. A native of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Aaron attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 2015. Upon graduation, he worked in the patrol unit for approximately five years. Aaron has since served as a Firearms Instructor, Field Driving Instructor, Field Training Officer, Child Car Seat Technician, School Bus Inspector, PACIC Intelligence Officer, De-Escalation Instructor, Diversity and Inclusion Instructor, Alternate Community Service Officer, and Recruitment Coordinator. Aaron was recently promoted to Corporal and is currently serving as a Heritage Affairs Liaison Officer with the Pennsylvania State Police, Office of Community Engagement. As a Heritage Affairs Liaison Officer, Aaron works with local, state, and federal agencies where he investigates, oversees, and responds to hate crimes, bias related incidents, and any incidents that deals with racial tension throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The goal of the Pennsylvania State Police, Heritage Affairs Office, is to improve community relations and build positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Jonathan Bar, MD

Director | Disaster Preparedness | Hospitals of University of Pennsylvania
Session: ABCDEs for LVADs | March 23 | 12:15 pm

Jonathan (Jon) Bar, MD grew up in Fair Lawn, NJ where he began his career in medicine by joining the local ambulance corps at the age of 16, ultimately serving there for over 10 years. Dr. Bar continued his passion for EMS while studying at Cornell University. He became Director of Operations for Cornell University EMS while earning his BS with Distinction in Human Biology, Health and Society. Dr. Bar completed medical school at Weill Cornell Medical College, graduating with his MD with Honors in Research for his work on topical combat hemostatic agents. He finished his residency in Emergency Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as Chief Resident in his final year. After completing residency, Dr. Bar returned to the EMS world, completing his fellowship in Emergency Medical Services at Cooper University Hospital. Most recently, Dr. Bar rejoined Penn Medicine as Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and is currently serving as the Director of Disaster Preparedness for the University of Pennsylvania’s four downtown hospitals. Dr. Bar is passionate about all topics in austere environment medicine, including: ground EMS, Air EMS, EMS medical direction, disaster medicine, and wilderness medicine. Dr. Bar also loves to teach both in person and online and has recently developed his own FOAMED site and blog. In his spare time, Dr. Bar enjoys hiking, backpacking, studying leadership and history, and grilling.

Dan Batsie

As deputy commissioner, Batsie will supervise Vermont Emergency Management, the Vermont Crime Information Center, the Division of Fire Safety, and DPS’s response to public records requests. He also will serve as a liaison to the Vermont Legislature, support the commissioner of the Department, and perform other duties as assigned. Prior to joining the Health Department in 2016, Batsie began his career in 1994 as a paramedic in Syracuse, New York. Five years later, he relocated to Maine, where he spent the next 17 years as a paramedic firefighter, deputy fire chief, director of EMS, and education director for various EMS agencies and fire departments from Bangor to Portland. Upon joining the Vermont Department of Health, Batsie took on responsibilities including incident manager of the Health Emergency Operations Center; managing the Department’s incident command structure; supervising the injury prevention program, which includes opioid, traffic safety, car seat and traumatic injury programs; and directing Vermont’s emergency medical services system.

Zachary Blickley, BS, NRP, FP-C

Medical Student | College of Medicine | Drexel University
Session: Sport Related Concussion: How Can EMS Improve Outcomes? | March 25 | 2:45 pm

Zachary Blickley, NRP, FP-C is currently in his second year at Drexel University College of Medicine. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 with a degree in Emergency Medicine. This experience has allowed him to practice as a 911 paramedic in Allegheny County and Bucks County since 2019. He recently completed the Rothman Opioid Foundation Summer Fellowship, focusing on education and research to help mitigate the opioid epidemic.

Tara Boda, BSN, PHRN, CSPI

Poison Specialty Nurse | Pittsburgh Poison Control
Session: Tik Tok Made Me Do It | March 25 | 2:45 pm

Tara went to college at IUP where she got her Bachelors in Nursing. She went straight into the ER for 10 years before making the change to the poison center. Tara got her EMT while in high school and then advanced to a PHRN where she was still running until 2020. She is now a certified specialist in poison information.

Charlie Borowicz, MPH, MSW

Program Manager | Allegheny Health Network Center for Inclusion Health
Session: Emergency Care for Transgender and Nonbinary Patients | March 25 | 12:15 pm

Charlie provides training and education across the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for transgender-inclusive care at all sites. They review policies and procedures, as well as make recommendations for medical record upgrades. They assist Forbes Hospital in achieving their training goals for the Healthcare Equality Index, an annual measure of healthcare inclusivity of LGBTQ patients and staff. Charlie also functions as a care navigator for transgender and non-binary patients who receive services through AHN.

Joshua Brown, MD

Samuel P. Harbison Endowed Assistant Professor of Surgery | Department of Surgery | University of Pittsburgh
Session: What Is Black and Blue and Unresponsive Too? Head Trauma | March 23 | 10:15 am

Dr. Brown was an emergency medical services provider for eight years, working for Rural/Metro Medical Services in Buffalo, NY, and served as the Director of Operations for the University of Rochester Medical Emergency Response Team in Rochester, NY. Dr. Brown is the PI of the Prehospital Resource Organization and Delivery of Care in Trauma Systems (PRODCTS) Lab. He is interested in the role of air medical transport for injured patients, as well as the geospatial organization of trauma systems. The lab also studies prehospital resuscitation strategies and field triage of the injured patient.

Angelica Cercone, MD

Angelica Cercone is a Pittsburgh native who grew up in the South Hills. She got her start in EMS as an EMT with Medical Rescue Team South. She went on to complete medical school training at Penn State College of Medicine, pediatric residency training at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, pediatric emergency medicine training at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and she just recently graduated from EMS fellowship through UPMC. She is now an attending physician in the ED and the Assistant Medical Director for EMS services at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She provides medical command through UPMC as MD 23.

Dominic Cercone, MD

Dominic Cercone is a Pittsburgh native who grew up in Wexford, PA. He completed medical school at Temple, pediatric residency training at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and he just recently graduated from pediatric emergency medicine training at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is starting as an attending at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in the emergency department.

Kyle Duff, MD

Clinician | Central Outreach Wellness Center
Session: Emergency Care for Transgender and Nonbinary Patients | March 25 | 12:15 pm

Kyle Duff, MD is in his second year with Central Outreach Wellness Center, Western PA's largest LGBTQ-focused medical practice. He graduated from the Washington Hospital Family Medicine residency program in 2018. Through all of his years as a medical doctor, he has promoted health equity for transgender individuals in any capacity he can. He is excited to come back to EMS Update with Charlie Borowitz and answer your burning questions about transgender health care!

Justin Eberly, MPA, CTO, NRAEMT

Education and Training Specialist | VFIS | Glatfelter Insurance Group
Session: Not Everything Buffs Out: Fixed Object Strike Prevention | March 25 | 10:15 am

Justin Eberly, MPA, CTO, NRAEMT is an Education and Training Specialist for VFIS, a subsidiary of the Glatfelter Insurance Group, responsible for the national delivery of educational and training programs, curriculum development, and information analysis. Eberly is a Nationally Registered Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (NRAEMT) and volunteer firefighter in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He actively serves on the safety committee for an EMS agency. Previously, he served as the assistant chief of a combination volunteer/career basic life support ambulance service. As an educator, Eberly has served as adjunct faculty for multiple EMS programs serving the South Central Pennsylvania region. He received the designation of Chief Training Officer (CTO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Eberly has earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Information Technology for Business Education from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and Masters in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Emergency Services Management, from Columbia Southern University.

Chuck Feronti, DO, FACEP, FAAEM

Emergency Physician | AHN St Vincent
Session: Get in My Belly! - Abdominal Emergencies Not to Miss | March 23 | 2:45 pm

Dr. Chuck Feronti is core faculty for the Saint Vincent Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

Nick George, MD

EMS Fellow | Department of Emergency Medicine | University of Pittsburgh
Session: Real Talk on Trauma: Traumatic Cardiac Arrest | March 25 | 10:15 am

Dr. Nick George is an EMS Fellow in the UPMC Emergency Medicine program interested in all things resuscitation, EMS, and HEMS. Prior to medical school, he spent 6 years as a FF/EMT in New Jersey. In addition to his ED time, Dr. George works as a flight physician with STAT MedEvac and serves as assistant medical director of Fayette EMS. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, running, eating ice cream, and supporting Arsenal (English Premier League soccer team).

Gene Giraulo, Paramedic

Prehospital Care Coordinator | AHN Canonsburg Hospital
Session: Do You Know How to Cry? | March 23 | 1:30 pm

Gene has been an EMS provider for over 33 years; 30 as a Paramedic. He is an EMS educator and has several instructor credentials in several different areas. He also continues to work as a paramedic on an ALS ambulance many hours a week.

Rebecca Greenstein, MD

She completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In her free time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her two dogs.

Mohamed Hagahmed, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, EMT-P

Dr. Mohamed Hagahmed is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is also the UPP Director of Diversity, Recruitment and Relations and the Associate Medical Director for The Center for Emergency Medicine. Dr. Hagahmed is also an EMS Medical Director with UPMC Prehospital Services and Medical Rescue Team South Authority.

Amber Helphenstine, MS, LAT, ATC, EMT-B

Senior Athletic Trainer | Peters Township School District | Allegheny Health Network
Session: One Team, One Goal: Bridging the Gap Between Athletic Trainers and EMS | March 25 | 12:15 pm

Amber Helphenstine is a senior athletic trainer with Allegheny Health Network, where she has worked for the last six years. She works primarily at Peters Township School District treating high school and middle school athletes. Amber serves as a USA Wrestling Medical Member and is a participant in the USOPC Volunteer Sports Medicine rotations. Prior to her position at AHN Sports Medicine, Amber was an athletic trainer and adjunct instructor at West Liberty for eight years.

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

Education and Training Administrator | Mutual Aid Ambulance Service
Session: People Don't (Usually) Just Fall Down | March 23 | 1:30 pm

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 is currently enrolled in the Masters of Science in Emergency Medical Services Graduate Program, at Creighton University. Jonathon also formerly served as a Paramedic/Rescue Technician at Baldwin Paramedic Rescue, as well as an EMS Specialist with Excela Health and is a Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator, previously affiliated with the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. Jonathon was appointed as the Program Director of the Mutual Aid- Excela Health Paramedic Training Program in 2021.

William Jenkins, MD, FACEP

Director | Department of Emergency Medicine | Excela Health Frick Hospital
Session: I Almost Lost an EMT Today | March 23 | 2:45 pm

Dr. Jenkins is the Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine and the EMS Medical Director at Excela Health Frick Hospital. He also serves as the EMS Medical Director for Mutual Aid EMS and Kecksburg EMS.

Richard Kaufman, MBA, NRP

Regional Education Coordinator | EMS West
Session: Here Comes the Police | March 22 | 5:30 pm

Rich is the Regional Education Coordinator for EMS West and is an EMS Instructor Trainer and an EVDT instructor. Rich is clinically active with the UPMC Advanced Response Team.

Angela Kenbok, MSW

Police Social Worker | Hampton Police Department
Session: The Collaboration Between EMS and Police Social Work | March 24 | 5:00 pm

Angela Kenbok, began her journey in social work in 2014 where she focused on a career in substance abuse. She continued working as a drug and alcohol counselor throughout her undergrad. Angela graduated with her bachelor of social work from Slippery Rock University in 2021 and quickly continued onto her master social work. In 2020 Angela had the opportunity to implement the position of the Police Social Worker to the Township of Hampton Police Department where she focused on collaborating with police officers, EMS workers, firefighters, and other professionals throughout the municipality. Angela graduated with her master of social work in 2021 and continues to focus on the expansion of the police social work position into additional police departments where she overlooks the placement and training. As the expansion of the position continues, the collaborations continue to strengthen to best serve the communities.

Matthew Kent, NRP, FP-C

Medical Student | College of Medicine | Drexel University
Session: Sport Related Concussion: How Can EMS Improve Outcomes? | March 25 | 2:45 pm

Matthew Kent, NRP, FP-C is a second-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine and is an alum of the University of Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Program. He also works part time as a ground paramedic in Bucks County. Since 2018, he has worked as a research assistant in the Sports Concussion Program at Boston Children's Hospital and is published in the field of pediatric sports related concussion.

Jason Kodat, MD, Paramedic

Jason Kodat, MD, EMT-P is the EMS Medical Director for Priority Care Ambulance and the Emergency Department Medical Director at UPMC Cole.

Megan Lenz, BS, Paramedic

Megan Lenz is a paramedic and the supervisor for pre-hospital operations for Allegheny Health Network where she oversees 6 paramedic response units. Megan holds a BS in Emergency Medicine from The University of Pittsburgh. Megan has been in EMS since 2004 and has had the opportunity to work in multiple different types of communities.

Danielle Levine, MD

Emergency Medicine Attending Physician | Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Session: Third Trimester Emergencies | March 23 | 10:15 am

Dr. Danielle Levine was born and raised in central New Jersey. Her interest in EMS began at a young age and led her to her local volunteer first aid squad, where she completed an EMT course in 2003. Since then, she has consistently worked in EMS in both volunteer and paid settings, doing 911 response, routine non-emergency transports, and special events. Her EMS experience spans Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Brown University in 2009. She then moved for Philadelphia for a career as a high school biology teacher, simultaneously receiving her Masters of Education from Arcadia University. She graduated from Sidney Kimmel Medical College with an MD in 2017. She completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 2020, followed by a fellowship in EMS at Yale-New Haven Hospital in 2021. Dr. Levine currently works as an Emergency Medicine attending physician at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, collecting maps, and eating blueberries.

Sandra Lopez, MD

Dr. Sandra Lopez is the former AHN EMS Fellow. She is currently practicing Emergency Medicine within the Memorial Health System in South Florida and involved with Hollywood Fire Rescue.

Matthew Lovell, MD

Resident Physician | Emergency Medicine | UPMC
Session: Introduction to Traumatic Disease | March 25 | 12:15 pm

Matthew Lovell is a PGY2 resident in the UPMC Emergency Medicine Program with an interest in critical care and prehospital resuscitation. Before becoming a physician, he worked as and EMT/FF for over a decade at various departments in NY and OH. 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, and hiking.

Brian Maloney, MS, NRP

Director of Operations | Plum EMS
Session: Should We Light Em Up Up Up? | March 24 | 1:45 pm

Brian has been working in EMS for over 24 years as a practitioner, educator, and leader. His EMS career began while attending the University of Pittsburgh where he obtained his Paramedic certification and bachelor's degree in Emergency Medicine. Later, he continued his education and achieved his Master of Science degree from Carlow University. He has spent most of his career working in the field and had the opportunity to teach with the Center for Emergency Medicine and University of Pittsburgh. Currently, Brian is the Director of Operations of Plum EMS where he has been for over five years. His love and appreciation for the EMS profession runs deep and he continuously strives to help make it that much better.

Chris 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.

Tyler McCardell, MD, EMT-IT, NCEE

Tyler McCardell, MD, EMT-IT, NCEE is an Emergency Medicine Resident Physician at Allegheny General Hospital. His background in EMS began as a volunteer EMT during undergraduate studies at Duquesne University, later expanded to the Advanced EMT level, and now functions as a Prehospital and Medical Command Physician. While attending medical school at Temple University, Tyler served as the EMS Chief at Wakefield Ambulance Association, Lead BLS Instructor for Emergency Training Academy, AHA Training Center Faculty for WellSpan Ephrata Hospital, and member of the EHS Federation regional working group on Intermediate ALS. He actively participates with the AHN LifeFlight program as a Resident Assistant Medical Director, coordinating case reviews and instructing continuing education with a focus on prehospital ultrasound. In his free time, Tyler volunteers as the Medical Officer and Firefighter-I for the Peebles District Volunteer Fire Company. He resides in McCandless with his wife, Megan, and chocolate lab, Koda.

William Miller

Session: EKGs for BLS Providers | March 25 | 2:45 pm
Session: Abdominal Pain in the Older Adult - Maybe They're NOT Just Constipated! | March 24 | 5:00 pm

Bill’s involvement in the provision of EMS, fire, and rescue services began in the mid-1970’s, and ranges from that of volunteer firefighter and EMT in a small town in rural Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, to career paramedic with Pittsburgh’s Bureau of EMS, where he eventually rose to the rank of assistant chief of Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Training Academy. Upon his departure from Pittsburgh EMS, after nearly 15 years of service, he was employed by The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh as EMS Education Specialist for their Office of Pre-Hospital Services. Over the years, he has developed a number of educational presentations covering a wide range of topics, has been a regular presenter at local and regional EMS conferences, and has also spoken on various EMS and rescue topics at both national and international symposia. In 2001, he took a sabbatical from EMS and went back to school, graduating from Drexel University’s Hahnemann Physician Assistant program in 2004. Upon graduation, he returned to the Pittsburgh area to begin practicing medicine again, this time as a Physician Assistant specializing in Emergency Medicine. He recently retired from active practice for health reasons, but continues to remain active in EMS education.

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 assistant medical director for Stat MedEvac and for UPMC Prehospital Care.

Vince Mosesso, MD

Dr. Vincent Mosesso is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Medical Director of Prehospital Care at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He began his career as a Paramedic and remains active in EMS as a certified Prehospital EMS Physician. Current other roles include Associate Medical Director for Pittsburgh EMS, core faculty for the UPMC EMS Fellowship Program, and Airway Management Physician for the National Football League. His research has focused on prehospital care and sudden cardiac arrest, including the deployment of automated external defibrillators. He has published numerous scientific manuscripts and textbook chapters. He served on the initial EMS Medicine Examination Task Force and Sub-board of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, which developed the inaugural board certification exam for the new sub specialty of EMS Medicine. He was the co-founder and Medical Director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association.

Daniel Muchnok, NRP

Medical Student | School of Medicine | University of Pittsburgh
Session: Moving the Needle on Prehospital Trauma: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Early Chest Decompression | March 25 | 1:30 pm

Daniel Muchnok is a paramedic and former combat medic who is in his third year at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He served for seven years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, including a deployment in 2016 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Before attending medical school, Daniel worked as a paramedic with several agencies in Southwestern PA including Southbridge EMS, Ambulance and Chair, North Huntington EMS, and the UPMC Paramedic Response Team. Daniel’s research interests include prehospital trauma resuscitation and calcium supplementation in massive transfusion. Daniel received his officer commission with the US Army through the Health Professions Scholarship Program and will continue his service as a medical officer upon completion of his studies at UPSOM.

Alex Naper, NRP

Paramedic | Shaler Hampton EMS
Session: The Collaboration Between EMS and Police Social Work | March 24 | 5:00 pm

Alex Naper has been in EMS for about ten years, three years as an EMT and seven as a Paramedic. Prior to that, Alex was in the fire service for three years followed by another three years when Alex became an EMT. Alex started as an exterior and shortly became interior with New Stanton FD. After that, he was with Penn Hills as a Captain for two years before becoming Asst. Chief for a year. That's when Alex became a medic. When he was in medic class at the last leg of being an EMT, he worked in the East Zone of Allegheny County in North Braddock where he soon became a medic and functioned as such for about five years before coming out to Shaler Hampton. Alex has now been with SHEMS for two years. Alex also is an instructor in several disciplines (ACLS, PALS, and BLS) and also a medic preceptor.

Philip Nawrocki, MD

EMS Medical Director | Allegheny General Hospital
Session: What TV Can Teach Us About Resuscitation Part 2 | March 23 | 10:15 am

Dr Nawrocki is the EMS Medical Director for Allegheny General Hospital, and additionally serves as Associate Medical Director for Allegheny Health Network's Critical Care Transport and LifeFlight. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital (2014) and a fellowship in EMS at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2018).

Chadd Nesbit, MD, PhD

System EMS Medical Director | Allegheny Health Network
Session: Oncology Emergencies for EMS | March 24 | 12:30 pm

Chadd Nesbit MD, PhD is the System EMS medical director for Allegheny Health Network and the Program Director for the AHN EMS fellowship. He is interested in education of EMS providers and the role of physicians in the prehospital setting.

Todd Nicholson, NRP

EMS Education | EMS West
Session: You Should Not Be Scared of Those Squiggly Lines | March 23 | 1:30 pm

Todd Nicholson works in EMS education at EMS West where he is responsible for the psychomotor examinations in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Todd has developed numerous refresher courses for EMT, AEMT and PHRN candidates on subjects such as cardiology and test preparation. Todd is active clinically with Brownsville Ambulance Service.

Andrew Nowalk, MD, PhD

Clinical Director, Division of Infectious Diseases | Department of Pediatrics | UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Session: COVID and RSV and Flu, Oh My: Pediatric Respiratory Disease in the Prehospital Setting | March 24 | 3:00 pm

Dr. Andy Nowalk is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Director in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Pediatrics at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. A 1999 graduate of the MD PhD at the School of Medicine, he completed Pediatric residency and Infectious Disease fellowship training at Children’s before joining the faculty of the School of Medicine in 2005. He maintains clinical practice and an active research program in Lyme disease, and serves as Co-Program Director of the Pediatric Residency Program. He has participated in data science research in diverse areas, including Lyme disease in children, catheter infections, residency education, and management and diagnosis of the febrile (and hypothermic) infant.

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP

EMS Medical Director | UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Session: Can EMS Play a Role in Addressing the Social Determinants of Health? | March 24 | 5:00 pm
Session: Cardiac Events: Resuscitation and Dysrhythmias | March 25 | 9:00 am
Session: Building the Foundation to Discuss Race & Health Disparities in EMS | March 24 | 12:30 pm

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah MD, MPH, FAAP is EMS Medical Director of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. A majority of her career developing curriculums and providing education for EMS personnel in both urban and suburban environment, including Washington DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh as well as government agencies such as the United States Secret Service. She has co-authored the recent Pediatric Education for Prehospital Providers recent edition textbook, otherwise known as PEPP, as well as the EMS Textbook. She is also co-author and first author for the Pediatric Prehospital Readiness for EMS Systems Policy Statement and Technical Report and is currently on the National Committee for Pediatric Prehospital Readiness. She also serves on the board for the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT), for which she serves as chair of the research committee. Research includes c-spine immobilization in the prehospital environment as well as asthma management, seizure protocols, pediatric non-transports.

Andrew B. Peitzman, MD

Mark M. Ravitch Chair of Surgery | University of Pittsburgh
Session: Trauma and Emergency General Surgery: Lessons Learned | March 25 | 9:00 am

Dr. Peitzman is the Executive Vice-Chair and Vice-Chair for Clinical Services, Distinguished Professor of Surgery, Mark M. Ravitch Chair in Surgery and Chief, Division of General Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also Vice-President for Trauma and Surgical Services through UPMC.

Nuwan Perera, MD

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow | UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Session: What Do You Do When The Kid Is Turning Blue? | March 23 | 7:45 am

Nuwan Perera grew up in Atlanta, but has been captured by Pittsburgh since college when he attended the University of Pittsburgh. He stayed there for medical school and completed his pediatric residency program at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is in his second year of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at UPMC Children’s.

Frank Phillips, BS, NRP

Prehospital Care Coordinator | AHN West Penn Hospital
Session: Prehospital Burn Management | March 24 | 10:30 am

Frank Phillips, BS, NRP is the Prehospital Care Coordinator for AHN West Penn Hospital. Frank has served in EMS since 2008, and as a Paramedic since 2011. Frank previously served the City of Pittsburgh for the Bureau of EMS as a Paramedic for 6 years. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Administration from Point Park University and is currently working on his Masters of Public Health Student at The George Washington University – Milken Institute School of Public Health.

Alan Philp, MD

Dr. Philp is the Trauma/Acute Care Surgery director for AHN and Chief Medical Officer for Allegheny General Hospital, and an Air Force veteran who served 4 tours in support of OIF/OEF. Ironically, he loves his motorcycle and his guns.

Kenneth Picard, NRP

Paramedic | Medical Rescue Team South Authority
Session: The Pre-Hospital Doppler | March 25 | 1:30 pm

Kenneth Picard, educated at Bethel Park High School (PA) and West Liberty University (WV). Kenneth’s 15 years of experience in EMS also include many years of firefighting, Rescue and HAZMAT operations. Kenneth has held leadership positions for multiple public safety organizations of various sizes. Kenneth’s EMS background encompasses rural, suburban and urban response areas. In 2018 Kenneth was awarded as EMS Champion by the Allegheny County EMS Council, also a 2022 recipient of the Star of Life Award from the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania. Kenneth currently works as a field medic for Medical Rescue Team South Authority and serves as an educator, fleet operations manager, and field training officer. Kenneth is supported at home by his wife Michelle and three children.

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).

Matthew Poremba, DO

Dr. Poremba is an Emergeny Physician and the Medical Director, LifeFlight/ AHN Critical Care Transport. Additionally he is an Associate Professor at both the AHN Emergency Medicine Residency and EMS Fellowship programs.

Mae Reale, MA

Health Education Specialist | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Session: Supporting Survivors of Domestic Abuse | March 23 | 9:00 am

Mae Reale is the Health Education Specialist at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In her role, she collaborates directly with medical advocates from domestic violence programs across the state. She trains healthcare providers on the nuanced intersections of intimate partner violence and medical care. Mae worked for nine years as an advocate where she worked with survivors of gender-based violence and trained thousands of professionals to respond to survivors. Mae has a Masters degree in Adult and Community Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education and an associate member of the Internal Association of Forensic Nurses.

Aaron M. Rhone, PhD, MPA, EMT

Bureau Director | Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS
Session: The Vision of EMS in the COmmonwealth for the Future | March 24 | 3:00 pm

Dr. Aaron M. Rhone is the Director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) within the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Aaron's duties include oversight of criminal and clinical investigations; Ambulance, Quick Response Service (QRS), and Rescue Licensure and Certification; and Data Management, Education, Certification, and Policy Development.

Ron Roth, MD, FACEP

Medical Director | Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety
Session: Geriatric Trauma: Senior Citizens Do Not Follow the Rules | March 24 | 1:45 pm

Dr. Ronald Roth began his career in EMS at Penn State University where he completed EMT training (1977) and then worked on the University Ambulance Service. He earned his medical degree (1982) and completed an Emergency Medicine Residency at University of Pittsburgh (1985). Currently, Dr. Roth serves as the medical director of 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 the Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center. He is a a team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers football club. In 2022 Dr. Roth received the Award for Outstanding Contributions to EMS at the American College of Emergency Physicians annual meeting in San Francisco.

Wesley Semple, Jr., MS, NRP, CMTE

Wesley Semple is the Manager of Prehospital Operations for the Allegheny Health Network Prehospital Response Program where he handles management and operations of 6 paramedic response units, 2 physician response units and the Medical Special Operations Group. Mr. Semple is a Nationally Registered Paramedic that has also been affiliated with Ross/West View EMSA since 2001. Additionally, Mr. Semple has been assigned to the North Hills Special Response Team as a Tactical Paramedic since 2010. Mr. Semple started his public safety career in 2000 with the Berkeley Hills Fire Company and spent 5 years as Fire Chief along with holding other positions. Mr. Semple holds a BS in Emergency Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS in Legal Studies from California University of Pennsylvania. He also is a Critical Care Paramedic, Certified Fire Officer, Certified Medical Transport Executive along with numerous other Fire/EMS/Tactical certifications. He is also an adjunct instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and 3 community colleges in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Semple also involved in the National EMS Memorial Service serving at the Moving Honors Route Coordinator and a member of the Board of Directors.

Todd Shipley

Police Officer | K9 Handler | Munhall Police Department
Session: Here Comes the Police | March 22 | 5:30 pm

Todd Shipley is a police officer, k9 handler, and firearms instructor in Munhall, PA and an active paramedic. He also is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Daniel Sundahl

@DanSunPhotoArt | President and Founder | Peer Recovery and Resiliency Society
Session: Post-Traumatic Growth: Finding Benefits Within Challenges | March 24 | 8:00 am

Daniel Sundahl (DanSun) is a published artist and writer and has three (3) art books produced of his works. Articles of his work are featured in Canadian Paramedicine, Journal of Emergency Medicine (JEMS), Fire Rescue Magazine, EMS One, EMS World Magazine and The Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing. His art is recognized worldwide, and he travels internationally speaking on his art and personal experiences with occupational stress injuries and post-traumatic growth. Daniel is the president and founder of the Peer Recovery and Resiliency Society, a group that supports emergency workers from around the world and aids in their post traumatic growth. Daniel was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Taking up a global residency as an English language teacher in Egypt, Mexico, Indonesia and Japan, he is now a firefighter and advanced care paramedic for the City of Leduc.

Ivan Tarkin, MD

Chief | Division of Orthopedic Traumatology | University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Session: Just a Flesh Wound: Care of Orthopedic Injuries | March 25 | 7:45 am

Dr. Ivan Tarkin, MD is a Orthopedic Surgery Specialist in Pittsburgh, PA and has over 22 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Suny Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine medical school in 1999. He is affiliated with medical facilities UPMC Mercy and UPMC Presbyterian.

Owen Traynor, MD

EMS Medical Director | St. Clair Hospital
Session: Things Are Not Always as they Seem, Part IV | March 24 | 12:30 pm

Owen Traynoir has been involved in EMS since 1978. He has been a volunteer Firefighter, EMT, Advanced EMT, paramedic, Emergency Medicine Physician, EMS Educator and EMS medical director

Rickquel Tripp, MD, MPH, CDR, USN

Attending Physician | UPMC St. Margaret and UPMC Magee
Session: Are you Ready to Catch this Baby?: Exploring OB and GYN Emergencies | March 24 | 10:30 am
Session: Building the Foundation to Discuss Race and Health Disparities in EMS | March 24 | 12:30 pm

Rickquel “Rikki” Tripp, MD MPH is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, EMS faculty, and Medical Director of 4 different EMS agencies: Penn Hills, Lower Valley, 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) for 6 years and now serves as the first Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of UPMC Graduate Medical Education and first Vice Chair Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion of Department of Emergency Medicine. She also is the Co-Chair of UPP EM D, E, and I Committee and Vice Chair of NAEMSP D and I Task Force. She has created and promoted many initiatives to include “Meet and Greet UPMC” Night; UPMC ME Townhalls addressing systemic racism and health disparities; URiM Virtual 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 D, E, and I in 2019. 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 within the UPMC/Pitt community.

Joshua P. Trout, MHA, CLC, PCC

Viewpoint Leadership LLC
Session: Cultivating a Modernized Culture | March 25 | 10:15 am

At the forefront of healthcare leadership you will find Joshua P. Trout, a hospital Chief Executive Officer and small business owner located in the Upstate of South Carolina. As a leader, Joshua is an influential communicator speaking the language of today's desired leadership in the workforce. His adaptability to the needs of today's employees has allowed him to be a modern-style leader building a positive, safe and healthy culture wherever he leads. He has helped shape a credible executive presence and is credited with playing an instrumental role in building teams that produce at a high level resulting in positive outcomes. Beginning his career in Emergency Medical Services, Joshua has been in the trenches of community service for 13 years working alongside some of the best public servants in the State of Pennsylvania. Josh holds an undergraduate degree from California University of PA and a graduate degree from Ohio University in Health Administration. Josh is the board chairman for the American Heart Association of the Upstate in South Carolina. An honoree of the "40 Under Forty" Award and recipient of iHeart Radio's "CEOs You Should Know" designation, Josh is an intrinsic leader and mentor that enjoys coaching others to find their fullest potential.

Richard Wadas Jr., MD

Regional Medical Director | EMS West
Session: What are the 2023 Protocol Updates? | March 24 | 5:00 pm

Dr. Rick Wadas is Executive Vice Chair of Community Emergency Medicine and Senior Medical Director of the Center for Community Hospital Medicine 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.

Philip Walker, MD, NRP

Philip Walker is one of the EM/EMS physicians working at UPMC. He is one of the medical command physicians in the communications center, and does medical direction for multiple different agencies in the Pittsburgh area. He completed EMS fellowship at UPMC, and did his residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Leonard Weiss, MD

Medical Director | Pittsburgh Police SWAT
Session: Essentials of Tactical EMS: SWAT for the EMS Provider | March 24 | 10:30 am

Leonard Weiss, MD, is Assistant Professor on faculty in the Division of Emergency Medical Services, University of Pittsburgh. He serves as an Assistant Medical Director with STAT Medevac and City of Pittsburgh EMS. Dr. Weiss is the Medical Director of Pittsburgh Police SWAT, Carnegie Mellon University EMS, and directs the Prehospital Physician Response program at the University of Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Residency.

Jenny Ziembicki, MD

Director | Burn Center | UPMC Mercy
Session: Priorities in Managing the Burned Patient | March 23 | 9:00 am

Jenny Ziembicki, MD, specializes in burn surgery, trauma surgery, and general surgery. She is certified in surgery and surgical critical care by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Ziembicki practices at Trauma Clinic Mercy and is affiliated with UPMC Mercy. She completed her fellowship at Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center. Dr. Ziembicki completed her residency and earned her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine.