Kurt Krumperman Vice President – Federal Affairs and Strategic Initiatives Rural/Metro Corporation
Kurt Krumperman MS, NREMT-P is Clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Emergency Health Services at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Professor Krumperman joins the faculty after a 23-year career with Rural/Metro Corporation, the nations second largest ambulance service provider, where he served as Senior Vice-president for Federal Affairs and Strategic Initiatives as well as leader of the company’s disaster response team. On the national level, he has served as the Secretary of the American Ambulance Association, and on the board of the Commission for the Accreditation of Ambulance Services. He is currently on the board of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Mr. Krumperman is President of Advocates for EMS, a coalition of four national EMS organizations and other supporting members that advocate in Washington on national Emergency Medical Services. He was recently appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to serve on the National EMS Advisory Council and serves on the FEMA Advisory Committee. He retains his status as a National Registry EMT-P. Professor Krumperman serves as EHS Management Program Director with primary responsibility for the department’s Management Track program and majors. He teaches courses related to EMS service planning, finance, and operations as well as directing student internships.
Fergus Laughridge Director - Nevada Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Fergus Laughridge has served as the Director of the Nevada State Health Division, EMS Program since 1999. The Nevada EMS Program, under the leadership of Mr. Laughridge, is responsible for assuring the quality of prehospital emergency medical and trauma services throughout Nevada. Fergus has more than 25 years of experience providing and overseeing emergency medical care in various locations across the United States. Mr. Laughridge is a highly respected authority and is frequently called upon to speak before national policy groups, State Legislature, Academy of Sciences and local groups on issues relating to Emergency Medical Services. As an active member of the National Association of State EMS Directors (NASEMSD) Fergus serves as Western Regional Representative for the Executive Committee. He also represents NASEMSD as the Chair of the Rural EMS Committee, Advisor to Rural Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Technical Assistance Center and Liaison for National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health and International Association of Fire Chiefs. As Chair of the Rural EMS Committee, Fergus represented the association during the drafting and publication of the Rural and Frontier Emergency Medical Services Agenda for the Future. Fergus is always willing to serve on committees and provide association liaison with other organizations addressing EMS activities of national significance.
Bruce J. Walz, Ph.D., NREMT-P University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Bruce J. Walz, Ph.D., NREMT-P University of Maryland, Baltimore County Bruce Walz is a professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Health Services at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). The Department provides undergraduate and graduate education in emergency health services' management as well as undergraduate paramedic education. As a professor, he teaches management and clinical courses as well as serving on graduate thesis committees. He has been in the University System of Maryland since 1979, having served with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute until 1987 when he joined the faculty of UMBC. He has been department chair since 1994. Bruce Walz has been involved in many aspects of EMS education and development. Most notably, he served as a group leader for the development of the 1998 National Standard Paramedic Curriculum and the 1999 National Standard Intermediate Curriculum. He is charter member of the National Association of EMS Educators and served as president in 1998 and on the Board of Directors. He is currently Legislative Liaison for NAEMSE. Additionally, he serves as a site visitor for the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) and is on the editorial board of Prehospital Emergency Care. He wrote the chapter on education in the National Association of EMS Physician's medical director's handbook Prehospital Systems and Medical Oversight. In 2002 he authored Introduction to EMS Systems published by Delmar - Thompson Learning. He has presented at numerous international, national, and regional EMS conferences.. In addition to his professional experience, Bruce Walz has been active in the volunteer fire service since 1970. He has served in many administrative and line positions including president and chief officer. In 1975 he was certified as one of the first 50 Cardiac Rescue Technicians in the State of Maryland. In 1990, he became a nationally registered EMT-Paramedic and is currently licensed in Maryland. He is approved as a Maryland paramedic instructor. He is nationally certified as a Fire Officer IV and Fire Instructor IV. Bruce Walz received a doctorate from the University of Maryland, College Park, a master's degree from Hood College Graduate School, and a bachelor's degree from Western Maryland College.
Ted Delbridge East Carolina University
At East Carolina University, Dr. Ted Delbridge is a professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine. He graduated with a bachelors of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University and received a Master of Science degree from Old Dominion University. His doctor of medicine degree was conferred by the Eastern Virginia Medical School and his master of public health degree is from the University of Pittsburgh. Ted completed his training in emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh where he also completed a fellowship in emergency medical services. He has been a member of the emergency medicine faculty at the University of Pittsburgh since 1992.
Dr. Delbridge is a diplomat of the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He has served in many distinguished positions throughout his career, most notably as the principal investigator for NHTSA’s EMS Agenda for the Future. He has published 25 peer-reviewed articles, 11 book chapters, and is the author of six editorials. He is a member of the editorial board of Annals of Emergency Medicine. At the Universityof Pittsburgh Medical Center he has served as Director of Emergency Services and the Medical Director of the STAT Medivac Air Medical System.
Joe Grafft
Joe Grafft is a member of the District 831 Forest Lake School Board and manager of emergency medical services for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor. Mr. Grafft has been actively involved in education for over 30 years, including as a teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools and at Spring Lake Park Senior High.
Robert R. Bass, MD, FACEP
Dr. Bass received his undergraduate and medical degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972 and 1975 respectively. Prior to completing his undergraduate education, he was employed as a police officer in Chapel Hill, NC and served as a volunteer member of the South Orange Rescue Squad. Dr. Bass completed an internship and residency in the United States Navy and is board certified in emergency medicine and is a Life Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He has served as a medical director for emergency medical services (EMS) systems in Charleston, SC, Houston, TX, Norfolk, VA, and Washington, DC.
Since 1994, he has been the Executive Director of the Maryland Institute for EMS Systems, the state agency responsible for the oversight of Maryland’s EMS and trauma system. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
Dr. Bass was appointed to the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS in 2007 and currently serves as chair of its Preparedness Committee. He is also currently the chair of the Atlantic EMS Council and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Trauma Society. He is a past president of the National Association of State EMS Officials as well as the National Association of EMS Physicians and a past chair of the EMS Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians. From 2004 to 2006, he was a member of the Institute of Medicine Committee on the Future of Emergency Care in the United States Health System.
Steven BlessingPresident of NASEMSO Director of EMS State of Delaware
Steve has served as the Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services in Delaware since 2002, and prior to that served as the Paramedic Administrator in Delaware, beginning in 1997. Prior to his EMS experience he served as a policy and legislative analyst for the Delaware Division of Public Health. Steve is the current President of the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) and has represented that organization on a myriad of committees and workgroups, addressing issues of interest in EMS on the national level. Steve served as a NASEMSO regional representative and the chair of the NASEMSO Domestic Preparedness Committee, as well as a two year term as President Elect for NASEMSO. Steve served four years on the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) as well. Steve earned a Master's degree in business from Webster University in St. Louis and holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware.
Scott Bourn, PhD, RN, EMT-P
Dr. Scott Bourn has a rich and diverse background in emergency medical services, emergency & critical care nursing, and education. He has practiced as a nurse and paramedic for over 30 years, and has worked as a field paramedic, emergency department and critical care nurse, EMS system coordinator, and director of a university EMS degree program. He has authored over 200 articles and video scripts, and has lectured or consulted throughout the United States, Israel, England, and Canada. Scott has also been an active researcher and presently serves as a Primary Investigator or collaborator on several studies pertaining to EMS education and the impact of prehospital system attributes and therapies on patients.
Dr. Bourn serves as the Vice President of Clinical Affairs for American Medical Response, supporting the clinical activities of 85 Medical Directors and over 15,000 EMTs and paramedics. Prior to coming to AMR Scott was the Director of Emergency Health Programs and Extended Studies for the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado. Scott has served on the Colorado State EMS and Trauma Advisory Council since 2002, and has Chaired the council since 2005. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of EMS Educators.
Russell Honeycutt
Russell Honeycutt is currently Executive Vice President of the National Reimbursement Group and is regarded as a leading expert in the field of EMS reimbursement. During his twenty years with NRG, he has held numerous positions with the organization, having served as an Account Manager, Controller, and Billing Coordinator. His current responsibilities include serving as head of the Consulting Division of the National Reimbursement Group.
Mr. Honeycutt continues to be an active member of the American Ambulance Association (AAA). He currently serves as Chair of The Government Affairs Committee as well as serving on the Education and Medicare Regulatory Committees. He was a member of the Finance Issues Task Force of the Negotiated Rulemaking Team, and a twelve year member of the Federal Reimbursement Committee. He has served on workgroups to address EMS reimbursement issues presented to Congress and CMS. Mr. Honeycutt is the AAA Representative to the ASCX12 Committee and continues to be the liaison to the Railroad Medicare Carrier. He is a member of the Provider Outreach and Education Committee for CIGNA Medicare in North Carolina and Cahaba GBA the ABMAC for Jurisdiction 10. As a result of his knowledge and experience in EMS billing, he is called upon frequently by state Departments of Medical Assistance as an industry expert regarding Medicaid transportation issues. Throughout his career Mr. Honeycutt has been closely involved with ambulance reimbursement policy development on state and federal levels. He is a member of Reimbursement Committees for several state associations and is a frequent and popular speaker at local, state and national meetings on EMS reimbursement issues.
He is married to Nancy Anderson of Macon, Georgia has one daughter Anna Katherine.
Kenneth R. Knipper
Ken was born in Newport, Kentucky on September 8, 1934 and is a longtime resident of the Commonwealth. He is married to Peggy and has five children and twenty one grandchildren. He attended St. Xavier High School and Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a long time volunteer in civic and church activities. When he finds time he is restoring cars and tractors.
He joined the Silver Grove Volunteer Fire Department in 1976, served for many years as chief, and is still active today. His involvement in EMS began in 1980 when he assisted in the development of emergency medical service to his community.
His interest in local and regional fire/EMS issues has resulted in his chairing fire and EMS committees at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. He currently chairs the National Volunteer Fire Council EMS Committee, sits on their Executive Committee, and represents them on many fire and EMS projects.
In addition to the above he represents volunteer EMS providers on NEMSAC, chairs the NFPA Technical Committee on EMS and sits on the NFPA Technical Committee on Ambulances and the NFPA IMS Committee, and serves on numerous NHTSA, CDC, APHA, and other projects. He is also the Individual At-large member on the AEMS Board.
Connie Meyer, RN, MICT EMS Captain Johnson County Med-Act
Connie is President Elect of the National Association of Emergency MedicalTechnicians (NAEMT) and has been involved with EMS since 1982, when she became a volunteer EMT in rural Kansas. She began work for Johnson County Med-Act in 1987 as an EMT and completed Paramedic training in 1989. She currently works as an EMS Captain for Med-Act and volunteers as an EMS First Responder in her hometown of Greeley, Kansas. After recently becoming a Registered Nurse, she also works part time at Olathe Medical Center in the Emergency Care Center.
Connie’s first experience with EMS leadership was when she became President of the Kansas Association of Paramedics. When KAP merged into the Kansas EMS Association, Connie served as the charter President from 1996 to 2001 and was Co-Chair of the Conference Committee through 2006. Other leadership roles within Kansas included serving on the Kansas EMS/Trauma Planning Group and Kansas Advisory Council on Trauma from 1994 to 2002. She represented KEMSA as a member of the Board of Governors for NAEMT until her election to the NAEMT Executive Council.
Connie has been a part of leadership for NAEMT since 1993. During this time she has served on the Board of Governors representing Kansas, member of the Executive Council and Board of Directors, Secretary of the Paramedic Division and was Vice President from 2007 to 2008. Her other projects within NAEMT include chair of the Newsletter, Website and Awards committees as well as serving on multiple Task Forces in her liaison role with the National Athletic Trainers Association. These Task Force projects developed suggested guidelines for the emergency care of athletes with spinal injuries, head injuries, sudden cardiac arrest and sickle cell trait.
Ron Pirrallo, MD, MHSA Milwaukee County EMS Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. Ronald Pirrallo is a Professor of Emergency Medicine with the Award of Tenure at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Milwaukee County EMS Medical Director. He provides emergency patient care at Froedtert Hospital, the region’s Level 1 Trauma Center and location of the MCW Emergency Medicine Residency Training program. He joined the faculty at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1992 after completing a 2 year EMS Fellowship at the William Beaumont and University of Michigan Hospitals including a Master of Health Services Administration degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Dr. Pirrallo’s research focuses on advancing out-of-hospital resuscitation techniques and ways to improve EMS system effectiveness. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles, 2 textbooks on quality management in EMS and serves on the Editorial Board of the peer-reviewed journal “Prehospital Emergency Care.”
Dr. Pirrallo has served as the Director of Medical Services for the Milwaukee County EMS system for nearly 2 decades and has furthered its national reputation as one of the premiere EMS systems in the United States.
Ritu Sahni, MD, MPH Oregon Health & Science University
Dr. Sahni is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, Medical Director for the Oregon EMS and Trauma System and Medical Director for the Lake Oswego Fire Department near Portland, Oregon. Dr. Sahni is also on the Board of Directors of the National Association of EMS Physicians and was Chairman of its Standards and Practice Committee. He has completed editorial and ad Hoc review activities for Annals of Emergency Medicine, Academic Emergency Medicine and PreHospital Emergency Care. Dr. Sahni graduated from the University of Michigan and attended medical school at Tulane. He did his emergency medicine residency and an EMS fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) and has serves on the Board of Directors of the National Registry of EMTs.
Nathan R. Williams Division Chief Division Chief
Nathan R. Williams is currently serving as Immediate Past President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. In addition, Chief Williams served four terms as president of the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association and has twice been appointed to the Missouri State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services by the late Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan. Chief Williams is a 25 year veteran of the Columbia Fire Department. He has coordinated EMS training since 1982, and was appointed Division Chief of Fire/EMS Training and Fire Code Enforcement and Fire Investigations for the City of Columbia Missouri in December of 1998.
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