EMS Update 2024

Ariel Aballay, MD, FACS

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.

Zac Allan, MHA, MSN, RN, CEN, PHRN

Zac Allan is the Director of Emergency Services at Allegheny Health Network's Forbes Hospital. Zac has been with Allegheny Health Network since 2015 where he began his career as a Registered Nurse at AHN Jefferson Hospital Emergency Department. Zac was promoted to the Manager of Emergency Services in 2018 where he was an integral part of the $21 million renovation and expansion project of the emergency department and addition of a clinical decision unit. In 2021, Zac accepted a position as Director of Nursing for Critical Care and transferred to AHN’s West Penn Hospital where he directed operations of the medical ICU and an adult and pediatric burn unit. Since then, Zac was asked to transfer to his current role at AHN Forbes hospital where he is overseeing additional renovation projects and improving patient experience, engagement and quality. Zac has been a registered nurse for eight years and has several additional years of prehospital experience. Zac is a Certified Emergency Nurse and maintains a Pennsylvania Prehospital Registered Nurse license.

Peter Allen, MD

Peter Allen, MD completed a General Surgery residency at UPMC Mercy, and now returns after completing a Navy commitment and Critical Care Fellowship. In addition to Trauma Care, Dr.Allen will bring his expertise in Acute Care and Robotic Surgery to UPMC Mercy patients. Peter Allen, MD, specializes in general surgery and trauma surgery and is board certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery. He practices at Trauma and General Surgery, UPMC Mercy and is affiliated with UPMC Mercy. Dr. Allen completed his fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, residency at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and medical education at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

Justin Beal, PHRN, NRP

Justin Beal is currently the Education Specialist with UPMC Prehospital Care.

Nirav Bhatt, MD

Nirav Bhatt, MD, completed his residency in neurology and fellowship in vascular neurology at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He then worked as an assistant professor of Neurology within the division of vascular neurology at Grady Memorial Hospital/Emory University school of medicine in Atlanta. He joined the UPMC Stroke Institute as an assistant professor of neurology and serves as the director of Comprehensive Stroke Center at UPMC - Presbyterian Stroke Program. Throughout his career he has won several highly recognized awards for his dedication towards professional excellence, teaching and research. He has been involved in several multicenter clinical trials and his research interest includes Pre- hospital Management of Stroke, acute stroke care, and secondary prevention of high-risk stroke patients.

R. David Bledsoe, MD

In addition to being the Commonwealth's EMS Medical Director, Dr. Bledsoe is an active EMS and emergency physician in central Pennsylvania. He has over 30 years of emergency medical services experience, active membership on Pennsylvania Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue, and many previous presentations at regional and state conferences.

Joshua Brown, MD

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.

William Cebulskie II, MSMeD, NRP

William is currently serving as the EMS Manager at Pleasant Gap Fire Company outside of State College, PA and is also the program director of Advanced EMT education at Rescue Hose & Ladder EMS Training Center. William attended Penn State University where he completed his undergraduate education. William also holds a masters of science in medical education from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. William is currently near completing a masters of science in medical physiology and pharmacology from the College of Medicine at the University of Florida and is a current medical school applicant.

Quincy Chopra, MD

Dr. Chopra is an emergency physician and flight physician currently practicing in the Los Angeles, California area. He is proud to have been a paramedic for the past 23 years and is currently active as a paramedic with EMS Southwest in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and MetroHealth LifeFlight in Cleveland, OH. His experience in international medicine and EMS as a clinician and educator has taken him worldwide, including his current role as a consulting EMS physician with HERO in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is interested in education, consulting and research, specifically austere medicine, and mass gatherings.

Jacob Cihla, MD

Jacob Cihla is currently an EMS Fellow at UPMC. He completed his medical training at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI where he pursued research in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac arrest under the mentorship of Dr. Tom Aufderheide, and residency in Emergency Medicine at Ascension Resurrection in Chicago, IL where he had the opportunity to staff the medical tents at Lollapalooza. Prior to medical school he worked in private EMS in the greater Seattle, WA area. A native of rural Northern Wisconsin, he has special interests in rural EMS, EMS quality improvement, and wilderness and austere medicine.

Michelle Cooper

Michelle Cooper is the Technical Assistance and Education Manager for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), where she supervises the specialists who provide training and technical assistance to all PCADV funded domestic violence programs. She is also responsible for the revision of PCADV’s 40-hour training curriculum and provides technical assistance and support for those involved in providing this training to new advocates. Michelle received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University and spent 4 years as a Medical and Human Trafficking Advocate for the YWCA York before joining PCADV.

John Detherage, III, MD

Dr. John Detherage is currently a third year emergency medicine resident at Allegheny General Hospital. He is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati for his undergraduate degree and the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio for medical school. He has specific interests in sports medicine and has authored several publications related to emergency medicine and sports medicine. At the conclusion of his training in emergency medicine, he plans to begin subspecialty fellowship training in sports medicine.

Scott Dolan

Scott Dolan has been an EMS Specialist with UPMC Prehospital Care for over 15 years. He has served in many roles in both Fire and EMS. Scott has been an EMS Educator for over 15 years and was the PA EMS Educator of the Year in 2019.

Kevin Duffy, MD

Dr. Kevin Duffy received his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was also a student at the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania where he become a nationally registered paramedic.

Justin Eberly, MPA, CTO, NRAEMT

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.

Lindsay Ercole, MD

Lindsay Ercole is a second year PEM fellow at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She completed her residency training in San Antonio, followed by a chief year, prior to transitioning to call Pittsburgh home. Her interests lie in quality improvement, equitable care, and data driven medicine. In her spare time she chases her two children, enjoys the quiet of Schenley Park’s trails, and experiments with new recipes when time permits.

Chuck Feronti, DO, FACEP, FAAEM

Chuck Feronti is the fellowship director for the medical education fellowship, as well as core faculty for the emergency medicine residency at Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, PA. Dr. Feronti has spent the last decade in medical education, having worked at two additional residency programs previously. He enjoys lecturing to EMS personnel and teaching about the patient experience. He earned his medical degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. He spent three years on active duty with the United States Air Force after residency. He enjoys soaking up time in the outdoors and at his cabin with his wife and two children.

Adam Frisch, MD

Dr. Adam Frisch is a physician and researcher in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UPMC. Dr. Frisch works clinically at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the Associate Medical Director for McCandless Franklin Park EMS and has worked in EMS for over 20 years. Dr. Frisch has published a number of research studies in the areas of prehospital care, cardiac arrest, and acute emergency care.

Gene Giraulo, Paramedic

EMS for 35 years, now a Prehospital Care Coordinator for Allegheny Health Network at Canonsburg Hospital. EMS educator for 25+ years. I still currently work as a Paramedic in the EMS emergency and non-emergency field.

Rebecca Greenstein, MD

Rebecca Greenstein is currently the EMS Medical Director at AHN Wexford Hospital. She attended medical school at The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed an Emergency Medicine Residency at Penn State Health and an EMS Fellowship with Allegheny Health Network. In her free time she enjoys hiking 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.

Tara Hobeck, BSN, PHRN, CSPI

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.

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

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 Master of Science in Emergency Medical Services Graduate Program, at Creighton University. Jonathon has 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 currently serves as the Education and Training Administrator of Mutual Aid Ambulance Service, Inc., in Westmoreland County, and was appointed Program Director of the Mutual Aid-Excela Health Paramedic Training Program in 2021.

Genna Jerrard, MD

Genna Jerrard has been a practicing physician for four years, and was happy to return back to her roots in Pittsburgh following residency. She has developed a strong interest in prehospital care while actively participating in all things medical education.

Richard Kaufman, MBA, NRP

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.

Aleksander Keller, MD

Alek was born in central Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he discovered the Emergency Medicine program and fell in love with EMS. While working for two EMS services, Alek attended medical school in Pittsburgh, followed by residency in Emergency Medicine at UPMC, and now a fellowship in EMS at UPMC.

Sharon Klapec, MC

Dr. Sharon Klapec is the EMS Fellow for Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA. Her passion for prehospital care began at the University of Pittsburgh and the Center for Emergency Medicine, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Medicine. She received her MD from Northeast Ohio Medical University and completed residency in Emergency Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital. She has 10 years of experience working as a paramedic in Western PA.

Jason Kodat, MD, Paramedic

Jason Kodat, MD, EMT-P is the EMS Medical Director for the CCAC Paramedic Program, Priority Care Ambulance, and TLC EMS. He is also an emergency physician at UPMC Cole.

Brian Kosczuk, BA, Paramedic

Brian has been involved in Emergency Medicine since 1998, becoming a Pennsylvania and Nationally Registered Paramedic in 2002. Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Saint Vincent College in 2003 and has held various clinical and educational positions in the EMS field. Brian has previously served as an operational field supervisor, preceptor, clinical and education director, and Program Director of the Mutual Aid-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium. Currently, Brian is the Senior Emergency Medicine Education Specialist at Mutual Aid Ambulance Service, Inc. with roles in advisement, program development, and instruction of the Paramedic, Advanced EMT, EMT and American Heart Association certification programs. Brian is a certified USA Hockey Level 3 coach and serves on the Board of Directors on various committees at Westmoreland Hockey Association.

Vincent LaMantia, MD

Vince LaMantia is a second year emergency medicine resident at Allegheny General Hospital with specific interests in EMS, ECMO, and resuscitation.

David Lindell

David Lindell holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and has been caring for patients in the out-of-hospital environment since 1971. A paramedic for 47 years and an EMS instructor since 1977, he started his ALS practice with Freedom House Ambulance in Pittsburgh and was in the first class of paramedics starting the City of Pittsburgh EMS. Mr. Lindell has served in the eastern part of the state in various capacities working with Philadelphia Fire Department EMS and services/training organizations in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. A flight medic for two different programs during his career he returned to Pittsburgh as an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to retirement he served as a Prehospital Care Coordinator for Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and practiced clinically at Penn Hills EMS.

Matthew Lovell, MD

Matthew Lovell is a PGY3 resident in the UPMC Emergency Medicine Program with an interest in critical care and prehospital resuscitation. Before becoming a physician, he worked as an 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, hiking and spending time with his wife, daughter and dog.

Brian Maloney, MS, NRP

Brian Maloney is the Director of Operations of Plum EMS, located in Allegheny County. He has been working in EMS for 25 years and has had the opportunity to be part of some incredible agencies and work with amazing people during this time. Brian helped spearhead Plum EMS into being the “poster child” in a national program for re-evaluating and appropriately using lights/siren both responding to calls and transporting patients to the hospital for the safety of the EMS crew, patient, and community. Through these achievements, Plum EMS received the 2023 NAEMT-ACEP/Technimount EMS Safety in EMS Award presented during the EMS World Expo. Brian has also been invited to present at the National Safety in EMS Summit in April regarding Plum EMS’s accomplishments in this safety measure along with the presentation he is providing at the 2024 EMS Update.

Christian 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.

Cruz McCarty, MD

I am a PGY2 at the Pitt EM program. I went to medical school at The University of Oklahoma. I have been climbing and mountaineering for 15 years. I enjoy combining my interest in medicine and outdoor recreation when I am able. I completed a NOLS medicine in the wild course and received my wilderness upgrade for medical professionals in 2022. I am currently working toward my FAWM through WMS.

Steve McKinnis, Paramedic

Has been in EMS for 37 years, 34 as a Paramedic. Steve has held positions from field EMS provider to executive administration in a large EMS service and now serves as the Manager for the Transport Division of Allegheny Health Network, AHN EMS.

Ryan McLoughlin, MD

Doctor Ryan McLoughlin is a first year resident in emergency medicine at St. Vincent hospital in Erie Pennsylvania. Dr. McLoughlin began his career in medicine working on EMS ambulance services. Dr. McLoughlin has previously worked as a National Park Ranger, with experience in Search & Rescue and wilderness medicine techniques. Dr. McLoughlin has also worked in disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes on the East Coast and wildland fires on the West Coast.

T.J. McMorrow, MD

T. J. McMorrow grew up in Illinois and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He went on to complete medical school in Puerto Rico at the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, pediatric residency training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and is now a third-year fellow in pediatric emergency medicine at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Dave McWilliams, Paramedic

Currently the EMS Specialist for UPMC Children's Hospital.

Anna Meyer, Paramedic

Anna Meyer is a Paramedic in the north of Pittsburgh, serving at both McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority and Peebles District Fire Company. She is also attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine with aspirations to continue her work in pre-hospital care as an EMS physician.

William Miller

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 the 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 PA in an emergency department. In 2022, he retired from clinical practice due to a health issue of his own, but he 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

Vincent Mosesso, MD, specializes in emergency medicine and is certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is affiliated with UPMC Presbyterian. He completed his residency at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, medical degree at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and fellowship at ACEP.

Isabel Munoz, NRP

I am a student at the University of Pittsburgh, studying Emergency Medicine. I have been an EMT since 2022, and have been working since. Having recently obtained my paramedic certification, I have taken a deeper interst in the subject of EMS on a global scale. I anticipte receiving my bachelores degree this coming spring, and to continue my education from there. I am currently senior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Emergency Medicine. I have been an EMT since 2021, and recently became a paramedic in May 2023.I work full time in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, as well as attend classes twice a week and teach EMTs at my school. This presentation arises from my senior interenship.

Philip Nawrocki, MD

Dr Nawrocki completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA), and a fellowship in Emergency Medical Services at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD). He currently serves as Associate Medical Director for the Allegheny Health Network LifeFlight and CCT program, core faculty for the emergency medicine residency and EMS fellowship, and EMS Medical Director for Allegheny General Hospital. His research interests include prehospital airway management, resuscitation, and cardiac assist devices..

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP

Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. She has spent a majority of her career developing curriculums and providing education for EMS personnel in both urban and suburban environment, as well as government agencies such as the United States Secret Service. She has co-authored many EMS and pediatric prehospital related textbooks and policies. She also serves on the board for the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT), for which she serves on the international and communication committees. She is also the EMS for Children Medical Advisor for the state of Pennsylvania and on the National EMS Advisory Council a federal appointment from the Department of Transportation. Research includes c-spine immobilization in the prehospital environment as well as asthma management, seizure protocols, pediatric non-transports, pediatric airway, pediatric prehospital disparities, in the prehospital environment.

Frank Phillips, BS, NRP

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 medical director for AHN and the Chief Medical Officer for AGH. He's a former USAF surgeon who did multiple tours to combat regions, but now spends his free time with the guns and motorcycle his wife wishes he would sell.

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 Assistant Professor at both the AHN Emergency Medicine Residency and EMS Fellowship programs and is an Aviation Medical Examiner.

Mae Reale, MA

Mae Reale is Health Education Specialist at the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has the pleasure of working with advocates from 59 domestic violence programs, who provide service to all 67 counties in the Commonwealth, to help them connect with a wide variety of healthcare providers, to ensure those providers have the tools they need to respond to people who have experienced domestic violence in all its forms. Mae works with state-level organizations to promote safe, trauma-informed responses to survivors of domestic violence. Mae is one of the non-clinical co-chairs of Pennsylvania's Maternal Mortality Review Committee and a member of the Early Child Comprehensive Systems Advisory Board.

Veronica Renov, MD

Veronica Renov, MD, specializes in pediatrics and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is affiliated with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She completed her medical degree at Medical College of Wisconsin and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Ron Roth, MD, FACEP, FAEMS

Dr. 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). During residency, Dr. Roth staffed a 24/7 physician emergency response vehicle and served as a flight physician on a medical helicopter. He has worked at the UPMC Presbyterian Department, a level 1 trauma centers and comprehensive stroke receiving center, for over 30 years. Dr. Roth is board certified in Emergency Medicine and was one of the first physicians board certified in the subspecialty of Emergency Medical Services. In his career, Dr. Roth has served as medical director of paramedic training at the Center for Emergency Medicine, Director of the UPMC EMS fellowship, and Chief of the Division of EMS in the Department of Emergency Medicine. From 1995-1998, he served as Project Co-Medical for the Revision and Development of the EMT-I, EMT-P National Standard Curriculum. In collaboration with his colleagues in emergency medicine, Dr. Roth has authoured/co-authored 37 articles including 2 book chapers in Prehospital Systems and Medical Oversight (2021.)Currently, Dr. Roth serves as the Senior Medical Consultant for 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 was received the prestigious Award for Contribution to EMS from the American College of Emergency Physicians at their annual conference in San Francisco.

Natalie Schwarzwalder, NRP

I am currently senior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Emergency Medicine. I have been an EMT since 2021, and recently became a paramedic in May 2023.I work full time in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, as well as attend classes twice a week and teach EMTs at my school. This presentation arises from my senior interenship.

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. 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 Tactical Certifications including being an Active Shooter Instructor. He is also an adjunct instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and 3 Community Colleges in Western Pennsylvania.

Todd Shipley

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.

Elif Soysal, MD

Elif Soysal, MD, is a 2nd year Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and a trainee of the Pediatric Scientist Development track since 2019. Originally from Turkey, she completed medical school at Koc University School of Medicine in Istanbul Turkey. Her current research involves EMR based research on identifying risk factors associated with worsening clinical status in critical illness

Mike Taramelli

Mike is the Trauma Program Director at AHN Forbes and has been with the trauma program at Forbes for 8 years. Prior he was an Emergency Room Nurse in Charlotte, NC and Scranton, PA and before his nursing career he was an FF/EMT holding multiple positions including EMS/Rescue Lieutenant, EMS/Rescue Captain and Fire Lieutenant. He also currently serves as the Chair of the Trauma Centers Association of America Disaster Preparedness Committee and Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Standards Committee.

Eric Toledo

Owen Traynor, MD

Dr. Traynor began his EMS career in 1978, serving as a volunteer EMT/Firefighter in the NYC suburbs. He worked as a NYC Paramedic throughout the 1990s. He graduated from the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in 1993. Dr. Traynor completed his emergency medicine residency and an EMS fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Since completing his training, he was worked in community emergency medicine. Owen is the medical director for Paramedic Education at the University of Pittsburgh and the Center for Emergency Medicine. He is also the director of prehospital care at St Clair Health. He is the medical director for several Pittsburgh area EMS services.

Rickquel Tripp, MD, MPH, CDR, USN

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.

Tiffany Vargo, MS, NRP, CP-C

Tiffany Vargo, MS, NRP, CP-C, is the Director of Prehospital Care Transport at Allegheny Health Network in western Pennsylvania. She currently oversees Canonsburg Ambulance and AHN Response Units. With nearly years of EMS experience, Tiffany’s previous roles include MIH Supervisor, Community Paramedic, EMS supervisor, and QA specialist. Interested in the physiological and psychological components that make us human, she has earned a Master’s in Forensic Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.

Richard Wadas Jr., MD

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 the associate medical director of Pittsburgh EMS, does medical direction for multiple different agencies in the Pittsburgh area, and i s one of the medical command physicians in the communications center. He completed EMS fellowship at UPMC, and did his residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Michael Wholihan, Ed.D., EMT

EMT for McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. Michael was the project lead for developing and submitting the CAAS Accreditation applications for Ross/West View, McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority and Shaler Hampton EMS in 2023. He and his wife have two children with medical special needs, one via adoption. He developed and oversaw the Essentials for Success program with UPMC and their Supplier Diversity and Inclusion department for five years in PA, NY, DE and MD. Michael earned his Doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh.

Jenny Ziembicki, MD

Dr. Jenny Ziembicki is the Medical Director of the Burn Center at UPMC Mercy. UPMC Mercy is a Verified ABA Burn Center and a Level 1 Regional Referral Trauma Center.