speakers

Aarron is nationally known as a facilitator, master teacher and expert in EMS leadership, management, financial viability, system design and applied best practices in rural and small-town EMS systems. Aarron has worked in EMS for over 30 years and is the executive director and chief of EMS for a critical care ALS ambulance service in a suburban, rural and super-rural region of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Aarron understands the unique challenges facing small-town ambulance and first-response services.

Alissa is a volunteer EMT-B with Plain Fire Emergency Protection District Ambulance. She has been with the service for 9 years. She is currently in the role of Assistant Chief. Alissa joined the Sauk County Response Team, a team that visits clients after an EMS overdose response, when it began in Mid-May of 2021 and has been actively involved with the team since that time.

Amy has more than 25 years of EMS experience having served in multiple operational, supervisory, managerial, and executive roles in a variety of clinical and educational settings within EMS. She currently serves as an EMS program manager in New York. Amy has authored articles in several EMS trade journals and contributed to first responder texts on mental health and wellness for EMS providers.

With almost 5 years in the fire service and 2 years as a dedicated paramedic, her journey has been defined by hands-on learning. A year of instructing has further enriched her perspective. Always a student at heart, she embraces constant growth and remains deeply committed to serving and learning.

Dr. Johnson, board certified in Veterinary Anesthesiology and Pain Management is a
Research Anesthesiologist and Clinical Professor of Anesthesia and Pain Management at
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Her more than 20 years of clinical practice, education and research expertise includes a focus on the respiratory and gastrointestinal effects of opioid and non-opioid analgesics in companion animals.

Ben has spent 19 years in EMS, continuing his professional education as a Physician Assistant, and currently practices in Emergency Medicine in Kenosha. In 2011 he was among the first PAs in Wisconsin recognized with specialty board certification in Emergency Medicine. Ben is the Assistant Medical Director for Kenosha County EMS, a Tactical Paramedic with the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department TEMS team, and a regional EMS educator.

Brandon Heggie has been working in Fire and EMS for over fifteen years. He has numerous experiences ranging from being a Tactical Medic on a SWAT Team, to a High Angle Rope Rescue Tech. Brandon provides in-depth knowledge in aggressive simplistic medical assessment and care.

For 14 years, Brian Imdieke has worked in prehospital emergency services. Originally from Minnesota, he has been a certified flight paramedic for North Memorial Health Air Care since 2011. Brian holds multiple qualifications, including an associate degree in paramedicine, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C, and a bachelor's degree in health care administration with a focus on science. Throughout his career, Brian has worked as an FTO and currently serves as a flight educator while also working on a casual basis for ground EMS operations across the state.

Chris Ebright is the Lead Instructor for The University of Toledo EMS Program in Toledo, Ohio. He has been a Nationally Registered paramedic for 28 years and has been a featured presenter at numerous EMS conferences over the past 16 years throughout the United States.

Chris has been a Community Paramedic for the past 7 years. He also has an additional 8 years of 911 and Critical Care Transport experience prior to his endeavor into Community Paramedicine. He has also sprinkled in some Emergency Room work along the way, and his focus is on blending out of hospital and hospital care to improve outcomes for patients.

Ché Stedman has been a member of the Madison Fire Department since 1996. He has served as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Training Captain, and Division Chief, as well as participating as a special teams member of the Heavy Urban Rescue Team and Lake Rescue Team. He is currently the Assistant Chief of Medical Affairs.

Stedman began in the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1992. He served 21 years, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. He is a combat veteran with two tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ché holds a master's degree in Rehabilitation Psychology.

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Courtney Hull serves as the Associate Dean of Fire/EMS Training at WCTC. With prior experience as a career Firefighter/AEMT along with a Master’s in Training/Development, Courtney is passionate about providing high quality education in inclusive environments. Courtney’s strengths include strategies to build relationships with students and adapting lessons to increase engagement and student success.

Curtis Olson is the Trauma Outreach Coordinator at a level II trauma center in Lincoln, Nebraska. His nursing experience includes roles as a night shift emergency department nurse at a Lincoln hospital and at a critical access hospital in Wahoo, NE. He has degrees in nursing and English literature. He completed Paramedic certification training at Creighton University in 1998 and passed the Certified Emergency Nurse exam in 2007.

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Daniel Hatlestad serves as a Battalion Chief, PIO and paramedic with Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District in Morrison, Colorado. With over 40 years experience in fire and EMS, Daniel is focused on service to the community and mentoring of new EMS clinicians. He is also an adjunct instructor in the paramedic program at St. Anthony's Hospital.

Daniel is an endovascular and open cerebrovascular neurosurgeon at Edward-Elmhurst Health in Naperville, Illinois. He cares for patients with brain blood vessel problems, including acute ischemic stroke interventions. He has a passion for outreach and advocacy for improving access to stroke care.

Dan Weber is the Assistant Fire Chief of Community Risk Reduction and the coordinator for all risk reduction efforts for the City of Greenfield Fire Department. These efforts include Fire and EMS prevention, and reducing high utilization of 911, frequent falls, overdose deaths, and homelessness. Chief Weber works concurrently with a staff case manager and a team of community paramedics through collaboration with local health and community partners.

Don Kimlicka, NRP, CCEMT-P has over 40 years’ experience in EMS; currently he is a Regional EMS Coordinator for the State of Wisconsin EMS Section. He is currently an Instructor for the American Heart Association, Affiliate Faculty for the PHTLS program and State Education Coordinator for NAEMT. He previously was a member of the State of Wisconsin EMS Advisory Board, Board of Directors for WEMSA and wrote the Challenges on the Street article for the EMS professionals’ magazine for several years. He shares his compassion in EMS with his wife Karla and they reside in Weston with their 2 Maine Coon kids, Lizzy & Sasha.

Doug Hexel is a Career Fire Officer, Urban Search and Rescue Specialist, and Paramedic. He is a Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement Instructor for New York State and he sits on the State’s Pediatric EMS Advisory Committee. He teaches at conferences around the country, primarily focusing on “bridging the gap” between Fire and EMS in Technical Rescue. In nearly two decades of experience working for private, commercial, and municipal agencies throughout New York, he has progressed through numerous supervisory and educational roles.

Doug is currently employed by Clarkson University as its first Director of EMS. He is a National Registered and practicing paramedic, retired State Trooper and volunteer firefighter. As the CEO of E5 Support Services, LLC, he runs a company that supports local ambulance agencies in staffing, training, and consulting.

Dr. Savage is a 20-year veteran of the army medical reserves. She started as a logistics officer. She is the commander of a Field Hospital in Illinois. She started in EMS/Fire 23 years ago in Wisconsin. She received her paramedic license 15 years ago. She received her doctorate in forensic clinical psychology in 2007. Her focus is on first responder trauma. She is a specialist in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing/Management. She has two outpatient offices and works inpatient at long-term-facilities with other providers.

Dr. Bill Young has worked in emergency medical services since 1978. Young has worked as a street medic, training officer, supervisor, state regulator and educator. He attended Cumberland College and earned a master’s degree in leadership from Regis University. He earned his doctorate degree in educational psychology.

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Dr. Lenard Markman helped create Wisconsin’s Dillon’s Law. This is the first law in America that allows anyone to take an anaphylaxis training course, obtain epinephrine, and use it to save someone having a severe allergic reaction. He graduated with honors as a Physician Assistant from UW -Madison. He attended medical school at Des Moines University and completed Family Medicine residency in Colorado where he received the Resident of the Year Award. He is a past ACLS /BLS instructor and member of the National Ski Patrol.

Dr. Converse, a Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Specialist has more than 25 years of clinical, educator, and administrative experience in veterinarian healthcare settings. Her positions have included veterinarian practice ownership, Medical Director, Radioactive Iodine Department Director, Clinical Instructor, and Volunteer Veterinarian. Dr. Converse was a founding member of Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin, a 501c3. She was a co-founding member for NAVEMS (National Association Veterinary Emergency Medical Services) and has also served on multiple nonprofit organizations focusing on suicide prevention and veterinary hospice. She presently is self-employed as a Locum Clinical Instructor in veterinary emergency and critical care with current responsibilities at multiple colleges of veterinary medicine nationally.

Dr. Kim received his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School and completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He went on to complete a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). He started his pediatric emergency medicine career at MCW, where he was promoted to associate professor.

Dr. Kim is currently the pediatric EMS medical director for the UW EMS consortium and working to improve prehospital care for all children in Dane County through education and advocacy. In addition, he serves as the co-chair for the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) to improve emergency care for children throughout the state. He is currently a co-investigator on a grant to improve pediatric care in community emergency departments in Wisconsin.

Erick has worked in Wisconsin, Arizona and Tennessee as a flight paramedic and educator with a passion for pre-hospital and critical care transport. Erick then received his MS in Medical and Health Care Simulation from Drexel University in 2019, and he now works as a Simulation Educator at UW Health’s Clinical Simulation Program in Madison, WI.

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Jason retired in 2022 after serving 26 years at the Beloit (WI) Police Department. He was assigned to the Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT Team) for 25 years and held positions from Operator to finishing out his career as the Commander. Jason has been involved in the Active Shooter response arena for over 20 years. He instructs nationwide for PW Training Group, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), and C3 Pathways in Active Shooter response and incident management.

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Jeff Schultz attended Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan to complete his paramedic training. He is currently the Program Director for the Paramedic Program and for the Community Paramedic Program at Mayo Clinic. He attended Rochester Community and Technical College for an Associate Degree in Intensive Care Paramedicine and Oregon State University for his B.S. in Natural Resource Management.

Jeremy Blair has led high school students to achieve state certifications and gain employment since 2006 as a Fire/EMS Instructor at WCTC. With 28 years of experience in Fire/EMS, currently a Career Battalion Chief for the City of Wauwatosa Fire Department, Jeremy imparts his passion for leadership, continuous improvement and community service among students of all ages.

Josh Kowalke has been in EMS for 24 years. He is the Director of Reedsburg Area Ambulance Service. He is also a Senior Part-time Instructor at Madison College teaching in EMS for the last 17 years. Josh has served on the WEMSA Board of Directors and is a past president.

Katie Koshak has been working as a registered nurse in the critical care arena for 5 years. Currently she works full time as a flight nurse and clinical base supervisor. Other part time jobs include Strong Memorial Hospital's Mobile Stroke Unit, NASCAR's Watkins Glen International racetrack, and as a lab instructor for EMT classes. Due to her background working at a Neurocritical Care ICU and in a Mobile Stroke Unit, she would have to say that one of her absolute favorite things to do is to care the Neurologically unstable patient in the early stages of their injury.

Kay Feiner is a volunteer EMT for the Plain Fire Emergency District and has been in EMS for the past 22 years, serving as past Service Director for 6 of those years. She has been part of past and current groups in the Sauk County area including Search and Rescue and a previous MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) program. Kay has been involved with the Sauk County Response Team from its inception in May 2021. Kay enjoys her free time with family and friends, and new found love of traveling around Europe.

Keith first became involved in EMS in the Chicago area 36 years ago. Keith's approach to education has led to him being a sought-after educator with a focus on innovation and student success. He has worked with a multitude of healthcare fields using simulation to deliver real-world education in a safe environment. His mission is to return the word Care to Healthcare.

Kevin Lovelace is the full-time EMS Captain at Hartford Fire & Rescue and has served in the Fire Service for 15 years. He currently holds an Associate Degree in Fire Protection and an Associate Degree in Paramedicine and teaches as an EMS Instructor for Waukesha County Technical College. He served in the Army National Guard as a Combat Medic and has a passion for tactical medicine education.

As an Advanced EMT and EMS instructor, Latimer Hoke has worked in rural EMS for 14 years, working for and/or closely with dozens of emergency service organizations in Vermont and Montana, as well as in Canada. These experiences involve volunteer and career EMS agencies, fire departments, law enforcement, emergency communications, ski patrol, and search and rescue.

Lauren Welch, a dedicated EMS professional, started her teaching career in 2018 at WCTC. With 13 years EMS experience across two fire departments, she is able to blend real-world EMS experience with academic excellence. Committed to shaping future generations, Lauren strives to save lives while empowering others with her passion and expertise.

Lyn has more than 25 years of clinical, veterinary practice management and educator expertise in primary and emergency veterinary care in addition to roles as a Veterinary Relations Representative and an Operations Director. Lyn was a founding member of Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin, a 501c3 in 2020 where she serves as its Operations Director and is on its Board of Directors. Her Veterinary Technician degree was obtained from Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin.

Maggie is the Case Manager for Greenfield Fire-Rescue in Greenfield WI, and previously spent 12 years working in Child Welfare. In her current role, she works with a variety populations including but not limited to aging, substance use disorders, hoarding, and homelessness. She works within the Fire Department but also supports and works closely with Greenfield Police Department and Greenfield Health Department.

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Megan is a dedicated communicator and marketer. For nearly seven years, she was a reporter for print and radio media before leading the external communications for ThedaCare, a large healthcare system in Northeast Wisconsin. For nearly 17 years she was the organization's manager of crisis communications, media relations, public relations, social media, internal communications and public affairs. She is FEMA certified as a Public Information Officer, and was the PIO during several crises. She currently is the director of marketing and communications at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, in Appleton.

Melodie Kolmetz has served the Rochester, NY community for over 30 years as an EMS practitioner and a PA. Her current PA practice is with the University of Rochester Geriatrics Group while she serves as an EMS educator and pursues a doctoral degree in education at the University at Buffalo.

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With 20+ years in prehospital medicine, Michael Juntunen has held a variety of roles that give him a broad perspective of the healthcare system in the United States. Michael also has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and is working on his maters. Michael has worked as front-line Paramedic in both the hospital and pre-hospital settings, has been a site supervisor and a regional manager; but most recently has taken on the role of building and expanding Mayo Clinic’s Community Paramedic service.

Mike started in 1986 with experience as a volunteer, private provider, county 911, Emergency Department, Fire EMS, Helicopter EMS, EMS Educator, conference speaker and Author. Mike is employed with OhioHealth EMS as a Community Paramedicine Coordinator. Mike recently retired from the City of Grandview Heights, Ohio, Division of Fire as the EMS coordinator, after 27 years of service.

A 32-year retired veteran with the Oak Creek Police Department (OCPD). Captain Bolender has been involved in two active shooter incidents and has extensive SWAT team experience. He Commands the OCPD’s patrol division, emergency communications and use-of-force training.

Nancy Magee NREMT, EMS-I has been active in EMS for 23 years. She is an EMS advocate and the managing partner at MEDIC Training Solutions, providing initial and continuing education and consulting services, as well as Retention Coordinator at E5 Support Services NY.

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Rebecca began her EMS career in rural Wisconsin in 2007. She started on a volunteer department and eventually transitioned to a hospital-based service. Her scope of work has ranged from a frontline crew member on the ambulance to Emergency Department nurse and Trauma Coordinator at a critical access hospital in northwest Wisconsin. Rebecca has a passion for pediatrics and trauma. She was the recipient of the Wisconsin Rural Health Ambassador Award in 2019 for her dedication and significant contributions to rural healthcare.

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Bob completed his initial paramedic and critical care paramedic training at the University of Iowa. With over 30 years in paramedicine as a municipal 9-1-1 paramedic, flight paramedic, and clinical primary care role with the Federal Government, he brings to us his specialty in airway management. With his passion for all things airway, he brings to the organization the most current and effective strategies, tools, and techniques to safely manage airway and respiratory emergencies for all levels of providers.

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Ryan's career in EMS commenced in 2007. In 2008, he obtained his EMT-Basic certification, followed by achieving Paramedic status in 2010, and securing the Critical Care Endorsement in 2013. His educational journey encompassed an Associate’s Degree in Paramedic Technology from Mid-State Technical College, a Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Response Management from UW-Oshkosh, and a Master's Degree in Disaster Management from American Public University.

As a Community Health Strategist for Public Health Sauk County, Sara Jesse manages the Community Health Unit. She founded and directs several substance use-related programs, including: Sauk County Response Teams (an EMS-Peer Support home visiting program to enhance linkages to care), the Sauk County Overdose Death Review Team, the Sauk County Partnership for Prevention community coalition, the Sauk County Continuum of Care Consortium, and Sauk County harm reduction programs.

Scott is a Massachusetts licensed attorney and possesses certifications as both a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and the Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). In addition, Scott is an active member of the American Ambulance Association and has been a Site Reviewer for the Commission for the Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) for many years. Scott is still an active EMT and continues to respond to emergencies as a Call Firefighter in his hometown.

Deputy Chief Reynen is a passionate leader who has grown through the fire service over the last 18 years. She is currently employed with a dynamic and innovative department running a fire department-based EMS Training Center. Her drive, vision and innovative approach has expanded the reach of the Training Center with courses being run throughout Southeast Wisconsin. She has built a diverse team of excellent educators who focus on collaboration and creative approaches to recruitment, education, community outreach and employee development.

Mr. Redding is the President/Founder of Emergency Education Consultants, a firm that strives to improve patient care through quality, current education and best-practice. Tim has been in EMS since 1992 and a Paramedic/Instructor since 1996. He’s an Instructor Coordinator and a regular speaker across the US who has also presented internationally in Guyana, Guatemala, Ireland and Australia. Tim is also a two-time Ironman and a Boston Marathon finisher.

Todd has been a first responder for over 20 years, and is currently a Firefighter/Paramedic and a SWAT Medic in Northwest Indiana.
He also works part time as a Veterinary Assistant at a local 24 Hour Emergency Vet Clinic, where he gets to translate all of his human medical skills to Canine patients.

Tracey works as a Program and Policy Analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. She also serves her community as the Ambulance Service Director and a volunteer EMT. Tracey has over 10 years of experience in EMS and over 13 years working as a civil servant in various areas of program and policy development.
Tracey has been involved with the Sauk County Response Team since its inception in May 2021.

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Wendy Dunaway is a Critical Care Paramedic practicing in Wisconsin and a Public Policy Ph. D. candidate at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Active in EMS since 2005 in 911 response and interfacility capacities. Wendy seeks to improve EMS infrastructure policy to make EMS a sustainable, essential service.