Board of Directors

Michael McEvoy, PhD, NRP, RN, CCRN

Board Chair

EMS Coordinator
Saratoga County, New York

Chief Mike McEvoy is the EMS Coordinator for Saratoga County, New York and a nurse clinician in the cardiothoracic surgical ICU at Albany Medical Center where he also chairs the hospital resuscitation committee and teaches critical care medicine. Mike is a paramedic supervisor for Clifton Park & Halfmoon Ambulance, a firefighter/paramedic and chief medical officer for West Crescent Fire Department. He is the Chair of the EMS section board member for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and in his free time, an avid hiker and winter mountain climber. Mike has been a Nationally Registered paramedic since 1983.

W. Scott Gilmore, MD, FACEP, NRP

Board Chair-Elect

Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, Missouri

W. Scott Gilmore, MD, FACEP, EMT-P, has over 20 years of EMS experience as an EMT, Paramedic, and Educator. He is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, and serves as Medical Director for the Saint Louis Fire Department, a physician for Missouri Disaster Response System and St. Louis Metro USAR Task Force-1, and is on the Advisory Council for Abbott EMS. A member of the National Association of EMS Physicians, Dr. Gilmore chairs its Education Committee and was awarded the 2012 John P. Pryor, MD, Street Medicine Society Award.

Paul R. Patrick, M.Ed.

Treasurer

Former Deputy Division Director, Utah Department of Health
Division of Family Health & Preparedness
Salt Lake City, Utah

Paul R. Patrick served as Utah's EMS Director from 2006 to 2016 before becoming Director of the Family Health and Preparedness Division, overseeing the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness. He was President of the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) from 2014 to 2016 and has been an advocate for EMS and public safety communications, participating in the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) from its inception. In 2018, he served as Interim Chair of the FirstNet Public Safety Advisory Committee and was appointed to the FirstNet Authority Board. He is also a member of the ASTHO Preparedness Policy Committee and CDC Public Health Preparedness Directors, among other groups. Paul, a Utah native, is married with three children. He earned his Eagle Scout in 1967, graduated from Springville High School in 1971, completed a Design Engineering degree in 1978 from Brigham Young University, and a Master of Education from Western Governors University in 2013. He was certified as an EMT in 1978 and worked with Springville Ambulance Service for 25 years.

Kim D. McKenna, PhD, MEd, BSN, NRP

Executive Committee Member At-Large

Director of Education
St. Charles County Ambulance District, St. Peters, Missouri

Kim McKenna has over 30 years of experience in emergency care and EMS education for hospital, fire, and third-service EMS programs. She currently directs the education division at a mid-sized EMS agency in St. Louis, MO overseeing employee education and quality improvement. Kim is also the Program Director for the District Paramedic and EMT programs. Previously, she served as Chief Medical Officer for the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District and Director of Education at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis. An educator, author, and editor, Kim holds a PhD in Education with a focus on Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. She led the Emergency Medical Responder Project on the 2009 National EMS Education Standards Task Force and chaired the Publication and Research Committees for the NAEMSE Board of Directors. She is currently on the Board of Advisors for the Prehospital Care Research Forum at UCLA.

Kevin E. Mackey, MD, FACEP

Immediate Past Board Chair

Medical Director, Sacramento Regional Fire Services
Sacramento, California

Kevin has over 20 years of experience in EMS, starting as a provider and currently serving as a Regional Medical Director and Fire Service Medical Director for the second largest ambulance provider in California. He is a former President of the Emergency Medical Directors Association, California, and currently serves on the NAEMSP Board of Directors. Kevin is also the Medical Director for Sacramento Regional Fire Services and EMS Rotation Director for the University of California-Davis Emergency Medicine Residency. He completed his Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine at the University Health Science Center, University of Pittsburgh, holds a Doctor of Medicine from St. Louis University School of Medicine, and both a Masters and Bachelor’s in Biology from California State University.

Min Chen, PhD

SunTrust Bank Professorship
Associate Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics
Miami, FL

James Davis, ED.D, RN, EMTP

Fire Chief at City of Fort Worth, Texas

Jim Davis is the Fire Chief of Fort Worth, Texas, with over 30 years of experience in EMS and fire services. Previously, he served as Assistant Fire Chief in Columbus, Ohio, overseeing training, EMS, and administration. A Paramedic and Registered Nurse with critical care experience in ER, ICU, and toxicology for both adults and pediatrics, Jim also worked in critical transport via ground, rotor-wing, and fixed-wing environments. He chaired the Ohio State Board of Fire, Emergency, and Transportation Services during its consolidation and served on the Central Ohio Trauma Systems Board, contributing to regional disaster and trauma care. Jim currently sits on the Boards of Tarrant County 9-1-1 and MedStar Mobile Health Care and advises fire education programs at Tarrant County College and the University of North Texas-Dallas. Jim holds a Master’s in Business of Operational Excellence (MBOE) from The Ohio State University, with a Six Sigma Black Belt, and a Doctorate in Organizational Learning from the University of Pennsylvania, where his research focused on medical simulation and sentinel events in healthcare.

Maia Dorsett, MD, PhD, FAEMS, FACEP

Emergency Medicine and EMS Physician, University of Rochester Medical Center

Maia Dorsett is an Emergency Medicine and EMS Physician at the University of Rochester Medical Center. After completing her Emergency Medicine residency and EMS fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, she became actively involved in EMS education locally and nationally. She currently serves as the Monroe-Livingston Associate Regional Medical Director for Education and Quality and as Medical Director for EMS education at Monroe Community College. Nationally, she chaired the NAEMSP Education Committee and was elected to the NAEMSP Board of Directors in 2022.

Jeffrey M. Elder, MD, FAAEM, FACEP, FAEMS

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Co-Director of the Division of EMS and Disaster Medicine

Dr. Jeffrey Elder is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in the Section of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and serves as the Co-Director of the Division of EMS and Disaster Medicine. He is also the Medical Director for Emergency Preparedness at University Medical Center in New Orleans and EMS Medical Director for St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 (Slidell Fire). He previously served as the Director and Medical Director of New Orleans EMS. A graduate of LSU School of Medicine, Dr. Elder began his career in EMS while training as a resident in Emergency Medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. While working with some of the best paramedics in the country, he learned how advances in prehospital medicine can drive in-hospital emergency medical care. He is board certified in both Emergency Medicine with subspecialty board certified in Emergency Medical Services by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Adam B. Heinz MBA, NRP

Executive Director of Integrated Healthcare, REMSA Health

Adam Heinz, Executive Director of Integrated Healthcare at REMSA Health, has been with the organization since 2002, serving in roles such as EMS Supervisor, Clinical Development Manager, and Director of Clinical Communications. He leads REMSA Health’s healthcare initiatives and oversees clinical services and the Center for Integrated Health and Community Education. A University of Nevada, Reno alumnus, Adam earned an MBA in healthcare leadership in 2020. A Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP), he is also a Nevada State EMS Instructor and Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher (AEMD). He serves nationally on the NAEMSP Clinical Practices and Standards and Mobile Integrated Health Committees and as Vice-Chair of the AAA Professional Standards Committee. Locally, he is on the Community Advisory Board for Donor Network West.

Michael Johnson, MS, NRP

Director, Georgia Office of EMS and Trauma

Michael Johnson is the Director of the State Office of EMS and Trauma at the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). He is a member of the National Association of State EMS Officials and a Commissioner for the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice (EMS Compact). Previously, he served as Deputy Director for Systems of Care and Director of the Office of Cardiac Care, where he led the designation of Georgia’s first 41 Emergency Cardiac Care Centers and established a sustainable statewide cardiac care system. Before joining Georgia DPH/OESMT, Michael taught EMS and Emergency Management courses at the university and college levels and served as Program Director for EMS education programs in Alabama and Georgia. He also spent seven years as a CBRNE Subject Matter Expert Consultant for FEMA and Homeland Security. Starting his EMS career in 1995, Michael remains passionate about improving EMS care and expanding medical access in rural areas, even though he no longer provides direct patient care.

Sahaj Khalsa, BS, NRP

Lead Faculty and Senior Lecturer at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, EMS Academy

Kraig Kinney, JD, EMT-P, PI

State of Indiana EMS Director

Kraig Kinney has served as Indiana’s State EMS Director since 2020 and was appointed Vice Chair of the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice (EMS Compact). With over 30 years of EMS experience, he has held various roles, including ambulance operator, training coordinator, and Executive Director of EMS Operations for Putnam County. Kinney became an EMT in 1991, advanced to Paramedic in 1994, and became an EMS primary instructor in 1996. He also served as Deputy General Counsel for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and was recognized as Indiana's EMS Instructor of the Year in 2008.

Michael Leyden

Steve McCoy, BS, EMTP

Chief, Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight
State of Florida EMS Director

Braxton Morrison, PhD, NRP, TP-C

Vinton, Iowa

Dr. Morrison brings over seven years of EMS experience and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP) licensed in Iowa with a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) endorsement. His background includes 911 and inter-facility transport services, treating diverse patient populations. As an EMS instructor, Dr. Morrison operates Iowa’s only NAEMT-authorized tactical medicine training center, focusing on tactical, remote, and wilderness medicine. He holds specialized certifications, including IBSC’s Tactical Paramedic credential. Dr. Morrison earned an Associate degree in EMS, a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice, a Masters degree in Emergency Management, a Master of Philosophy degree in Human and Social Services, and a PhD in Human Services with a specialization in Crisis Intervention. He co-founded and serves as president of a county-wide Critical Incident Stress Management team and chairs a suicide prevention coalition, specializing in crisis intervention for emergency services personnel.

Bryan Nelson, MBA, NRP

Clinical Quality Specialist for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Mechanical Circulatory Support
Lehigh Valley Health Network

Bryan has been active in EMS since 1989, earning his Nationally Registered Paramedic certification in 1992. His diverse experience includes 911 ground ambulance services, Firefighter/Paramedic roles, and critical-care flight paramedic work on a helicopter. He is currently the Clinical Quality Specialist for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Mechanical Circulatory Support at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania, where he leverages data to drive quality improvement and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to enhance care systems. An adjunct faculty member at The George E. Moerkirk Emergency Medicine Institute, Bryan was recognized as Adjunct Instructor of the Year in 2019 and 2023. With over 25 years of experience teaching AHA, trauma life support, and paramedic programs, he holds a BS in Biology and an MBA in Change Management. Bryan serves on local, regional, and national EMS committees, including as East Central Director for the National Association of EMTs, where he received the Presidential Leadership Award in 2020. He also contributed to the FEMA/HHS ASPR COVID-19 Healthcare Resiliency Task Force. A United States Army veteran, Bryan continues to work part-time as a Paramedic for two municipal EMS agencies. He lives near Allentown, PA, with his wife and three children and enjoys fishing, hiking, and the outdoors.

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP

Assistant Professor Pediatrics
Director of Prehospital and EMS

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah has dedicated more than a decade to pediatric and EMS legislative advocacy. Actively involved in pre-hospital care at local and state levels, she has also championed Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) at the federal level for the past eight years. During her EMS fellowship, she served as Assistant Medical Director for Howard County, Maryland, and collaborated with federal agencies, including the Secret Service, Marshals Service, and ICE, contributing to a presidential inauguration. An experienced educator, Sylvia has developed numerous health education curricula for schools over the past decade. She is currently a co-site Principal Investigator for the NICHD-funded PECARN study on developing and testing a Pediatric Cervical Spine Injury Risk Tool (C-spine).

Jeff Pepperney, BA

President, Real Property Management

Jeff serves as President of Real Property Management, part of the Neighborly brand family, the largest single-family rental property management organization in North America with over 450 franchise locations. A Certified Franchise Executive through the International Franchise Association, Jeff brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in franchise, financial, and consumer services. His previous roles include leadership positions at Deutsche Bank, National City Bank, Cole National, and Sears Holdings Corporation. A strategic and results-driven leader, Jeff excels in managing large, complex operations and driving success through team leadership and hands-on involvement. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Westminster College. Jeff resides in Columbus, Ohio, with his family. He is the proud father of two sons: Luke, attending Georgetown School of Medicine, and Mark, a student at the University of Cincinnati.

Owen T. Traynor, MD

Director of Prehospital Care, St Clair Hospital
Adjunct Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Board Member, Southbridge Emergency Medical Services
Board Member, Scott Township Emergency Medical Services

Owen T. Traynor, MD, is an adjunct assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, where he serves as Medical Director for its EMS degree program and paramedic education at the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania. He is also the Director of Prehospital Care at St. Clair Hospital in southwestern Pennsylvania. Dr. Traynor began his EMS career as a volunteer Firefighter and EMT with the Wantagh Fire Department and later worked as a NYC Paramedic before attending medical school. He previously served as Chief Emergency Medicine Resident at the University of Pittsburgh and as Assistant Chief Instructor at the Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy. He currently serves as Medical Director and Board Member for Southbridge Emergency Medical Services and Scott Township Emergency Medical Services, as well as Medical Director for Eastern Area Prehospital Services, Tri-Community South EMS, Kirwan Heights Fire Department EMS, Edgewood Fire Department QRS, and Swissvale Fire Department QRS.

Kenneth Williams, MD, FACEP, FAEMS

Professor of Emergency Medicine
Director of the Division of EMS at Brown University

Dr. Bill Young, Ed.D., NRP

Dr. Bill Young is the Program Director of the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Department of Paramedicine, home to the second-oldest CoAEMSP-accredited paramedicine program in the United States. With a career spanning nearly five decades, Dr. Young has been a cornerstone of prehospital emergency medicine education, fostering a strong emphasis on pathophysiology and the mechanisms that drive effective prehospital care. Dr. Young began his EMS journey in 1975, serving a small fire department near Williamsburg, Kentucky, before the term “first responder” was widely recognized. Over the years, he has held diverse roles, including street medic, training officer, supervisor, state regulator, and educator, bringing a wealth of experience to his current leadership position at EKU. Dr. Young holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the Cumberland (formerly Cumberland College), a Master’s degree in Leadership from Regis University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. His academic and professional contributions continue to shape the next generation of paramedicine professionals.

HEATHER DAVIS, ED.D, NRP

IMMEDIATE PAST BOARD CHAIR