Speakers

Bill Brandt

EMS Educator/Paramedic North Memorial EMS
Session(s):
The Person Behind the Uniform Tools for the Shift and the Life Beyond It (ALL DAY CLASS)  |  Jan 22  |  9:15 am
The Person Behind the Uniform Tools for the Shift and the Life Beyond It (All Day Class)  |  Jan 23  |  9:15 am

Bill Brandt currently works for North Memorial EMS as an Educator and Field Paramedic.

Bill began his career in emergency response as a Firefighter/EMT for the St. Louis Park Fire
Department in 1991. He moved to Aurora Colorado and continued his career as a Lieutenant
Paramedic running the technical rescue, and hazardous materials teams. He retired as a EMS
division training lieutenant with 20 years in the fire service.
After leaving the fire service he worked for 5 years as a critical care paramedic in Columbus
Ohio, and worked for the National Registry. In 2016, Bill moved back to Minnesota and
began as Training Chief for Allina Health EMS.
During his career Bill has experienced numerous critical incidents resulting in Post Traumatic
Stress and a few resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Because of his traumatic
experiences Bill was deliberate in educating himself with the materials available to him so he
could start a Peer Support Team at the Aurora Fire Department.

On May 23rd, 2001, while riding a bicycle Bill was rear-ended by a Ford Expedition and thrown
what investigators estimated to be 120 feet into a sage field. His injuries, including a broken back and traumatic brain injury, kept him out of work for 6 months.
Determined to regain his job, Bill threw himself into his rehabilitation, both physical and mental.
He had to relearn to speak and perform basic math. Bill says he has had three
different brains in his adult life and this cognitive evolution has helped him see things from a
different points of view more easily. All his Fire Department, and EMS meaning making
lessons learned were required to help him manage the suicide of his only child, 16 year-old
daughter Paige on October 20th 2015.

Bill has been a very active lecturer on Crisis Mental Health Response, Responder Well-Being,
and Mental Fitness. Bill was a founding member of the Employee Well-Being Committee for Allina
Health EMS, Well-Being Liaison. He is a Responder Strong Champion, and a committed student of how we process challenging events to derive meaning. Bill believes in carrying grief in one hand and gratitude in the other to live a more fulfilling life because of our most challenging experiences, not in spite of them.

George Burger

State Program Administrator
Session(s):
Minnesota Traffic Incident Management (MnTIM) Training  |  Jan 21  |  1:00 pm

George Burger is a Traffic Safety Support Coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), where he supports statewide traffic safety initiatives and coordinates the Minnesota Traffic Incident Management (MnTIM) training program. In this role, he works closely with law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, transportation agencies, and towing and recovery professionals to improve responder safety, reduce secondary crashes, and enhance incident clearance on Minnesota’s roadways. Before joining the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Burger served as the Emergency Management and Public Safety Innovation Manager for the City of Maricopa, Arizona. There, he built and led the city’s emergency management program and led numerous public safety technology initiatives. His work focused on integrating data, GIS, and technology into emergency management and public safety operations to support better decision-making and community preparedness. Burger was also a Sergeant with the Ely Police Department where he was also a Drug Recognition Expert and was a firefighter and emergency medical responder. Burger holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and has a strong background in data analytics, GIS, and systems integration. He is known for developing practical tools and dashboards that bring together data from multiple sources, including traffic systems, weather data, and public safety records, to support operational awareness and planning. His work often blends technical innovation with real-world public safety applications. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Burger is actively involved in training and outreach. He regularly works with multidisciplinary partners to deliver Traffic Incident Management training and collaborates with safety coalitions to advance Minnesota’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) goals. He is passionate about improving roadway safety and equipping responders with the knowledge and coordination needed to manage incidents effectively. Burger resides in Ely, Minnesota, where he enjoys exploring the outdoors and sharing his experiences with others who appreciate the Northwoods.

Jason Dush

Session(s):
Hands on Approach to Patient Care  |  Jan 22  |  9:15 am
Jason Dush Presentation  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm
Jason Dush Presentation  |  Jan 23  |  3:00 pm

Jason works as a paramedic in the ER at a large children's hospital and returned to his passion serving the critically sick and injured as a critical care flight paramedic in 2022. Jason previously served 7.5 years as the Operational Medicine Unit Manager for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Prior to working for DPS, he was the Chief Operating Officer for a national ambulance transport company. He previously worked as full-time Firefighter Paramedic for the Arlington Fire Department for 10 years where he also served as the EMS Clinical Coordinator for 3 years. Jason's resume includes 30 years of paid EMS/Fire with 2 different large metropolitan departments and 13.5 years as a Critical Care flight paramedic. Jason has been an active commissioned police officer and Tactical Paramedic since 1997, currently commissioned as a Detective with the Valley Mills Police Department. Jason is passionate about EMS education and is a known speaker locally and nationally over the last 20 years for bringing a sense of motivation, humor, passion, energy, leadership, and practical experience to his audience.

Monte Fronk

Emergency Manager
Session(s):
Car Seats 102 for First Repsonders  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm

Monte "Awan" Fronk is a 35 year Tribal Public Safety responder and spent his entire career for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe one of the 11 federally recognized in Minnesota. During his career his duties of Tribal Emergency Management broadened into Tribal Community Risk Reduction with implementing culturally competent services and programs to serve all the Tribal Districts and Urban Area of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. This included many partnerships to meet the unfunded needs of Tribal members. Monte is a certified Tribal Emergency Manager, FF I/II, Haz Mat Operations, Fire Instructor I/II, Fire Officer I/II, Public Educator I, YFPI Specialist, MN/Nat Reg EMT. A graduate of the National Fire Academy, EMI and CDP. He holds a Masters degree in Public Safety Executive Leadership.

Mike Gau

Session(s):
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Wednesday  |  Jan 20  |  11:00 am
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Thursday  |  Jan 21  |  8:00 am

Mike is a Certified Master Instructor with over 20 yrs. experience at Tae Kwon Do. Hapkido Instructor, Women's Self Defense, Itasca Comm Col. Mother/Teen Self Defense, United States Marine Corps Recruit Special Training. Representing Northland Tae Kwon Do

Lucas Goodin

Session(s):
EMT Refresher (2 Days)  |  Jan 20  |  8:00 am
Hands on Approach to Patient Care  |  Jan 22  |  9:15 am
Pediatric Cardiac Abnormalities and Cardiac Arrest: Recognition, Response, and Resuscitation  |  Jan 24  |  8:00 am
Crisis K9s: The Future of Mental Health in Emergency Services  |  Jan 24  |  9:30 am

Lucas Goodin, NRP, CC-P, FF, has over 25 years’ experience as a Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director working in the prehospital setting along with 20 years in the hospital setting in both the Emergency Department and as the Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness. He has worked all over the world teaching and providing advanced care in austere environments.

Matt Grimes

Assistant Professor
Session(s):
PSYCHE! – Psychological Emergencies in the Community Setting  |  Jan 22  |  10:15 am
Take My Breathe Away – The Myths, Lies, and Realities of Managing Respiratory Emergencies  |  Jan 22  |  11:30 am

Matt Grimes is a Registered Nurse with 30 years of experience in multiple acute care roles, including Intensive Care, the Emergency Department, and Air Transport. In addition, he is a Flight Nurse in the United States Air Force Reserve and has logged over 1000 flight hours and more than 40 combat missions. Training and education have always been one of his favorite parts of being a nurse, and as a preceptor and instructor, he has trained hundreds of clinicians in a unique and unconventional style that is all his own. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Traditional Undergraduate Nursing program at the College of St Scholastica, in Duluth, Minnesota and holds national certifications in Emergency and Flight Nursing.

Marlyn Halvorson

Emergency Management Director
Session(s):
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Wednesday  |  Jan 20  |  11:00 am
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Thursday  |  Jan 21  |  8:00 am

Marlyn has been the Carlton County Emergency Management Director since June of 2020. Prior to that, he was a Deputy with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. During that time, he served as the Itasca County Emergency Manager for 10 years. He has 34 years in the public safety sector. In those 34 years of public safety, Marlyn served 10 years as a Paramedic and 20 years as a Firefighter. He continues to expand on his public safety knowledge and as a leader in the public safety community. His professional affiliations include the following: Board Member of the Arrowhead EMS 2016 -Present Vice-Chair of the Northeast Healthcare Preparedness Coalition Advisory 2018 - Present President of the Arrowhead Regional Association of Emergency Managers (AREMA) 2016-Present MN Certified Emergency Management Director 2012 - Present Paramedic 1988-1998 (Retired)

John Hansen

Paramedic / Farmer
Session(s):
Hands on Approach to Patient Care  |  Jan 22  |  9:15 am
Cardio 101----for the EMT!  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm

John grew up and continues to farm the family farm. Involved in EMS and fire for over 30 years. Paramedic for over 15 years. Teaching EMT classes for over 28 years with Ag Emergencies his specialty. He raises Corn, beans, hogs, and cattle along with trucking livestock short and long distance.

Caroline Homan

Critical Care Paramedic
Session(s):
Pulling G's  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am
Trauma Triad  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am

Caroline is a Critical Care Paramedic in the state of Iowa. She works rural EMS on a hospital-based ambulance. Education is a passion of hers as she is the lead educator at her department as well as some side work with SIM+IA. Outside of work she will likely be found outdoors or at home with her husband- Nate, her two Labradors, her books, and her plants.

Kirk Hughes

Professional Educator/Poison Specialist
Session(s):
Clinical Pearls and Myths of Toxicology for EMS providers  |  Jan 22  |  1:30 pm
You Inhaled WHAT??  |  Jan 22  |  3:30 pm

Kirk Hughes is a Registered Nurse, Certified Specialist in Poison Information (CSPI), and Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT). He has served at the Minnesota Regional Poison Center since 2000, where he works as both a Poison Specialist and Education Director. Over the course of his career there, he has managed more than 98,000 poisoning and exposure cases. In addition to his work in toxicology, Kirk brings extensive experience in emergency services. He served 27 years as a Firefighter/EMT with the Brooklyn Park and Ramsey Fire Departments and held the role of EMS Training Officer for the Lexington Fire Department. He also contributed his expertise as an Investigator with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. Kirk has authored and co-authored articles in several peer-reviewed journals, including The Journal of Perinatology, The Western Journal of Medicine, and The Journal of Clinical Toxicology, reflecting his commitment to advancing knowledge in emergency medicine and toxicology.

Brian Imdieke

Flight/Critical Care Clinical Educator
Session(s):
From STEMI to OMI: Recognizing Occlusion Beyond Traditional STEMI Criteria  |  Jan 24  |  9:30 am
When CO₂ Is Not the Whole Story: Ventilator and VBG Management in COPD  |  Jan 24  |  10:45 am

Brian Imdieke is a flight paramedic and clinical educator with 15 years of EMS experience. He is the Clinical Flight Educator for North Memorial Health Air Care, where he develops and delivers education for critical care transport clinicians working in high-acuity air and ground environments. He holds an associate degree in paramedicine and a bachelor’s degree in health care administration with a science focus, and maintains advanced certifications in flight and critical care paramedicine. His professional interests include mechanical ventilation, airway management, cardiovascular emergencies, simulation, and evidence translation for prehospital and transport medicine. Brian teaches at the local, state, and national levels, focusing on practical, evidence-informed education that helps clinicians improve decision-making and patient care in time-sensitive, high-risk settings.

Andrea Jensen

Registered Nurse and Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse
Session(s):
Hyperbaric Oxygen - An Alternative To Treat Blood Loss Anemia  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm

Andrea Jensen is a Registered Nurse and Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN) with more than 20 years of clinical experience at Hennepin Healthcare, including over 15 years in critical care. Her extensive experience caring for complex and critically ill patients has provided a strong foundation in clinical assessment, patient safety, and evidence-based care.
As a leader and educator within the hyperbaric department, Andrea is dedicated to advancing staff education, supporting clinical excellence, and promoting safe, high-quality patient care. She has served as a surveyor for the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) for the past 10 years, conducting surveys with a focus on patient care, safety, quality, and adherence to UHMS standards.
Through her clinical, educational, leadership, and surveyor roles, Andrea brings a unique perspective to hyperbaric medicine, combining extensive bedside experience with a strong commitment to patient safety and the advancement of hyperbaric practice.

Stevie Johnson

Education Specialist/Paramedic
Session(s):
High-Risk, No Harm: Simulation as a Cornerstone of EMS Credentialing  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am

I am a paramedic, educator, and healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience in emergency medical services across ground and air medical operations. I currently serve as an Education Specialist with Mayo Clinic Ambulance in Rochester, Minnesota, where I design and implement continuing education, orientation, simulation-based training, and just-in-time education for more than 500 BLS, ALS, and Critical Care clinicians in the prehospital environment. I also serve as the primary curriculum contact for the Ambulance Service Training Academy, a monthly orientation program. Previously, I worked as an Operations Supervisor, overseeing both ground and air operations and serving as Manager on Call, which included multiple rotor-wing, fixed-wing, and ground bases across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Earlier in my career, I served as a Paramedic Instructor, delivering national certification courses including BLS, ACLS, PALS, PEARS, and ITLS, while contributing to internal education initiatives focused on clinical simulation, equipment evaluation, and workforce development. I hold a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and Leadership, graduating summa cum laude. I am a Nationally Registered and Minnesota-certified Paramedic with multiple instructor and provider certifications. I was honored as a Leadership Award recipient in the Ambulance Service Manager Program and have presented at regional and national conferences, including Pinnacle, Arrowhead EMS, and ACEP. My professional interests include simulation-based education, clinician competency, leadership development, and advancing excellence in prehospital patient care.

Melissa Kohn

Session(s):
Human Anatomy Lab - Wednesday  |  Jan 20  |  8:00 am
Human Anatomy Lab - Thursday  |  Jan 21  |  1:00 pm

Dr. Melissa Kohn, MD, is an experienced emergency medicine specialist practicing in Duluth, Minnesota. With more than 15 years of medical experience, Dr. Kohn is dedicated to providing timely, compassionate, and high-quality care to patients in emergency settings. Dr. Kohn is affiliated with Essentia Health–St. Mary’s Medical Center, where she practices emergency medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 2006 and is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

John MacMillan

Owner/Educator
Session(s):
Weighting for Trouble: Bariatric EMS Realities  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm
If I only had a Heart - 12 lead EKG for EMTs  |  Jan 23  |  3:00 pm
Epi, Airway, Action! Allergy Attacks in the Field  |  Jan 24  |  8:00 am
Danger in Disguise: Mastering Toxidrome Recognition  |  Jan 24  |  9:30 am

John MacMillan is a Critical Care Paramedic from Schenectady, New York, and owner of Quality Rescue Services Training, LLC, an EMS education and consulting company. John has been in emergency services for almost 40 years, starting as a junior member in his volunteer fire department, and continues to serve the community as a paramedic in Saratoga County. John started his EMS education career in 2005 and, following his mentor's footsteps, he became a certified instructor coordinator and has educated countless EMTs and Paramedics throughout New York State. John’s passion is in EMS education and creating engaging, enjoyable content for his original and continuing education students.

Michelle Marine

Education Specialist/Flight Paramedic/RN/Founder, Beyond The Protocol
Session(s):
Being on the Other Side: Through the Eyes of the Patient  |  Jan 22  |  10:15 am
Being on the Other Side: Through the Eyes of the Patient  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am

Michelle Marine, MSN, RN, FP-C, Paramedic, is a critical care flight Paramedic, registered nurse, educator, and nationally emerging speaker with more than 30 years of experience in EMS, emergency medicine, and critical care transport with 24 years at the Mayo Clinic. Currently, she is a Critical Care Education Specialist with Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, where she develops and leads advanced education, simulation, and competency programs for critical care clinicians, EMTs, and Paramedics while still flying as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic. Michelle is also the founder and creator of Beyond The Protocol, a platform dedicated to exploring the human side of healthcare through conversations surrounding resilience, trauma, mental health, compassion, communication, and patient-centered care. Her work challenges healthcare professionals to look beyond clinical interventions and reconnect with humanity at the heart of medicine. As both a healthcare provider and someone who has personally experienced profound loss and trauma, Michelle brings a unique and deeply authentic perspective to the stage. Her powerful presentation, Being on the Other Side: Through the Eyes of the Patient, shares her journey navigating the devastating loss of her husband, a combat veteran who struggled with PTSD, while also confronting the cumulative emotional impact of decades spent in healthcare and emergency services. Through vulnerability, honesty, and lived experience, Michelle speaks openly about grief, burnout, compassion fatigue, mental health, and healing within the healthcare profession. Michelle’s presentations resonate strongly with EMS professionals, nurses, paramedics, first responders, and healthcare teams because she speaks from both sides of the stretcher, as the clinician and as a family member. Her message emphasizes the lasting impact healthcare providers have on patients and families, not only through clinical skills, but through empathy, communication, dignity, and human connection. Michelle’s mission is simple but powerful: to remind healthcare professionals that while protocols guide what we do, it is our humanity that defines who we are.

John McClellan

Freeway Operations Supervisor
Session(s):
Highway Safety for Emergency Responders  |  Jan 24  |  10:45 am

John McClellan is the Freeway Operations Supervisor at MNDOT’s Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC). John has worked for the DOT since 2002. John’s group is responsible for monitoring 1,400 Minnesota freeway traffic cameras; locating incidents, deploying overhead signs, coordinating response with State Patrol and dispatching the Freeway Incident Response Safety Team (FIRST). John is a regular presenter to first responders on highway safety and emergency traffic control.

Sarayna McGuire

Associate Medical Director
Session(s):
It’s Time to Talk to Prehospital Providers: Improving Patient Follow-Up and Feedback to EMS  |  Jan 23  |  3:00 pm

Dr. Sarayna McGuire is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She is the Associate Medical Director of Quality and Research for Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, a large multi agency across the Midwest. She also serves as Medical Director for Zumbrota Area Ambulance Agency.

Micheal Miers

Paramedic
Session(s):
'Just Drive the Truck': Breaking the BLS vs. ALS Culture War  |  Jan 22  |  10:15 am
Advancements in Prehospital Stroke Care: What EMS Providers Need to Know  |  Jan 22  |  11:30 am
Bridging the Gap Between Field Providers & Hospital Staff  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am
Rural Realities: Managing High Acuity Patients with Limited Resources  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am

Mike Miers is a paramedic and educator with over 17 years of experience in emergency medical services across rural, metro, and hospital-based settings. He currently serves as a paramedic at Johnson County Hospital, where he provides emergency department care, interfacility transport, and community education. Mike brings a diverse operational background, having previously held leadership roles overseeing large teams, fleet operations, and system efficiency in high-demand EMS environments. In addition to his clinical work, Mike is an adjunct faculty member in paramedicine education, where he assists with lab instruction, simulation, and guest lecturing. He is also an American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS instructor, regularly teaching providers and community members critical lifesaving skills. Mike is passionate about leadership, communication, and real-world application of EMS principles. His teaching style blends practical experience with engaging storytelling, focusing on preparing providers to lead effectively and perform under pressure in dynamic, high-stakes environments.

Ryan Mueller

Certified Hyperbaric Technologist
Session(s):
Hyperbaric Oxygen - An Alternative To Treat Blood Loss Anemia  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm

Ryan Mueller Certified Hyperbaric Technologist/EMT I have been a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist for over seven years and have worked at Hennepin County Medical Center in the hyperbaric department for over five years. Our department at HCMC is staffed on-call 24 hours a day, every day of the year, ready to handle emergencies. I am also a local Twin Cities Firefighter/EMT. Our fire department both first-responds and provides BLS and ALS ambulance service to the St. Paul area. The more time I spend in Hyperbaric Medicine, the more I come to love the practice. I am encouraged by the progress I have seen in patients and excited by how research is continuing to confirm the benefit hyperbaric oxygen can have in an ever expanding list of indications. It continues to be my privilege to share what I can to educate others in healthcare about the benefits of this treatment.

Richard Mullvain

STEMI Program Manager
Session(s):
STEMI Challenges… Better EMS Preparedness = Saving Lives and Better Outcomes  |  Jan 22  |  10:15 am

Richard is the STEMI Program Manager for Essentia Health, in Duluth, MN. He is also a Board-Certified Cardiology Pharmacist. Richard is a well-known educator in the Northland and was the Co-Chair of the AHA Minnesota Mission Lifeline STEMI Project and a key author of the Minnesota STEMI/ACS/Chest Pain Tool-Kit, found at the Minnesota Department of Health website. He has 20 publications related to heart attack care. He also has a fishing problem and started the Duluth Area Fishing League 28 years ago.

Scott Peterson

Session(s):
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Wednesday  |  Jan 20  |  11:00 am
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Thursday  |  Jan 21  |  8:00 am

Scott has been involved in martial arts for over 33 years, have conducted numerous self-defense courses, was previously certified as a PPCT (pressure point control tactics) instructor, and has instructed classes for marine recruits.

Charles Sloan III

Deputy Chief of Operations
Session(s):
The Mystique of Midwifery (from an EMS perspective)  |  Jan 23  |  3:00 pm

Charles Sloan III is an experienced emergency medical services leader, paramedic, and communications professional with three decades of service in prehospital care, public safety communications, and medical transport operations. Currently serving as Deputy Chief of Operations at Hennepin EMS in Minneapolis, Charles oversees critical 911 ambulance operations. Charles began his EMS career in 1996 as an EMT-B and dispatcher, quickly building expertise across multiple facets of emergency response. Over the years, he has served as a paramedic, aeromedical dispatcher, flight paramedic, communications supervisor, and firefighter. His diverse background includes extensive experience with major EMS systems across Minnesota, including North Memorial Ambulance, HealthEast Ambulance, Allina Health EMS, and Lakeview Hospital EMS. In addition to ground operations, Charles spent more than two decades with ALS Aero Care, where he held leadership roles including Chief Flight EMT and Flight Operations Supervisor, managing crew scheduling, operational logistics, and contractor relationships for aeromedical transport services. Throughout his career, Charles has demonstrated a strong commitment to operational excellence, patient care, and workforce development. He has led teams in high-volume 911 systems, supported large-scale emergency response operations, and contributed to policy development, employee training, and quality assurance initiatives. His certifications include National Registry Paramedic, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Firefighter I & II, and multiple incident management credentials. Known for his practical leadership style and deep operational knowledge, Charles brings a systems-level understanding of EMS response, communications, and aeromedical operations. His work continues to support safe, efficient emergency response and high-quality patient care across the communities he serves.

David Smith

Community Paramedic
Session(s):
Catching the Fall: Prevention, Response & the Role of Community Paramedicine.  |  Jan 24  |  8:00 am
Why They Keep Calling: Heart Failure, Diabetes, and the Reality of Home  |  Jan 24  |  9:30 am

David Smith is a Community Paramedic based in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota where he works serving patients with complex medical and social needs. An Army veteran with experience in emergency response and frontline patient care, David has worked across multiple areas of EMS and community healthcare, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges facing both providers and patients outside the hospital setting. Known for his honest and reflective approach, David is passionate about leadership, resilience, human connection, and the realities people face behind the scenes of healthcare and emergency response. Whether speaking about EMS, personal growth, or operational challenges, he focuses on authenticity, practical experience, and conversations that resonate beyond the classroom. Outside of work, David enjoys endurance events, outdoor challenges, skydiving, community involvement, and spending time with his family.

Michael Smith

Lead Instructor/Community Paramedic Lead
Session(s):
"Oh, that little thing? It’s just my ventricular assist device!"  |  Jan 22  |  1:30 pm
Abstract: EMS Documentation to Prevent Litigation  |  Jan 22  |  3:30 pm
Heart Failure: 101  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am
Capnography: Measuring the smoke of metabolism  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am

Mike has been dedicated to EMS since 1986, bringing a wealth of experience across a variety of roles in EMS. Mikes most notable EMS rolls; OhioHealth EMS LifeFlight/MedFlight, paramedic, firefighter, and EMS Coordinator with the City of Grandview Heights, Ohio, Division of Fire, Director of Ohio University EMS education. After 27 years of service, Mike retired from active duty. Mike is now concentrating on his time as conference speaker, legal consultant, and author. He currently serves as a Lead Paramedic Instructor and Community Paramedic Coordinator for OhioHealth EMS. Known for his unique sense of humor and extensive clinical knowledge, Mike is a dynamic educator who connects with students and professionals alike.

Joan Somes

Educator & Safer Senior Driver Grant Manager
Session(s):
What Is That Herbal Supplement Doing & How is It Affecting the Patient & their Other Medications?  |  Jan 24  |  8:00 am
Granny's Talking to Little Green Men - The 3 D's  |  Jan 24  |  10:45 am

Joan Somes; PhD, RN-BC, CEN, CPEN, FAEN,NRP worked as an emergency dept. nurse and dept. educator for 40 years in a suburban and then a metro hospital. During that time she also worked as a paramedic for a suburban ALS service (9 years) and as an EMS educator. Joan continues to teach for Regions hospital EMS, manages an older driver safety grant for MN DPS/OTS, consults and does stroke site visits for MDH, and owns her own teaching company. Joan is the chair of the MN Emergency Nurses Association Quality, Safety, and Injury Prevention Committee. She is also as the geriatric section editor of the Journal of Emergency Nursing and has been published numerous times.

Dex Tuttle

Injury Prevention Program Manager
Session(s):
Car Seats 102 for First Repsonders  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm

Dex spent 10 years in higher education as a student affairs administrator planning events, hosting conferences, and advocating for the diverse needs of the students. Looking for a change, he became and EMT in 2011 and began work as an Emergency Room Technician at a busy Level 1 trauma center. Combining these unique experiences, he found his way to Children’s Minnesota where he is currently the Injury Prevention Program Manager. He holds a Masters of Education from Penn State University and a BA in Computer Science from NDSU. He’s been a Child Passenger Safety Technician for since 2013 and a CPST instructor since 2014. He also teaches the Safe Travel for All Children course on strategies for safety transporting children who can’t be safely and comfortably transported in a retail-available car seat. He’s regularly consulted on complicated patients in the hospital and in the community and has developed resources aimed at addressing cultural gaps and language barriers.

Kenzie Wilcox

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-OWNER

Kenzie Wilcox-Ingebrand, PCC, spends most of her days helping first responders and healthcare professionals remember they are human before they are heroes.

As the Co-Owner and Executive Director of WGH Group, she's helped develop innovative healthcare programs across Minnesota—from supporting mothers during pregnancy to expanding behavioral health services in county jails to helping EMS agencies care for the people who spend their careers caring for everyone else.
She's also a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), a speaker, and the kind of person who believes that laughter belongs in conversations about burnout, because sometimes the most healing thing we can do is remember we don't have to carry it all alone.

Known for her honest storytelling, quick wit, and practical approach, Kenzie creates workshops that feel more like a conversation than a lecture. She has an uncanny ability to make people laugh, reflect, and occasionally tear up—all within the same ten minutes.

When she's not speaking, you'll likely find her chasing four kids, dreaming up her next big idea, drinking coffee in her bright pink kitchen, or wondering why everyone insists on calling self-care a bubble bath when sometimes it looks a lot more like saying "no," eating lunch before 4:00 p.m., or finally making that doctor's appointment you've been putting off.

Kenzie believes resilience isn't about becoming tougher.

It's about becoming more yourself.

And if attendees leave her workshops feeling a little lighter, a little more hopeful, and a lot less alone...

She considers that a pretty great day.

Kenzie Wilcox

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-OWNER
Session(s):
The Person Behind the Uniform Tools for the Shift and the Life Beyond It (ALL DAY CLASS)  |  Jan 22  |  9:15 am
The Person Behind the Uniform Tools for the Shift and the Life Beyond It (All Day Class)  |  Jan 23  |  9:15 am

Kenzie Wilcox-Ingebrand, PCC, spends most of her days helping first responders and healthcare professionals remember they are human before they are heroes.

As the Co-Owner and Executive Director of WGH Group, she's helped develop innovative healthcare programs across Minnesota—from supporting mothers during pregnancy to expanding behavioral health services in county jails to helping EMS agencies care for the people who spend their careers caring for everyone else.
She's also a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), a speaker, and the kind of person who believes that laughter belongs in conversations about burnout, because sometimes the most healing thing we can do is remember we don't have to carry it all alone.

Known for her honest storytelling, quick wit, and practical approach, Kenzie creates workshops that feel more like a conversation than a lecture. She has an uncanny ability to make people laugh, reflect, and occasionally tear up—all within the same ten minutes.

When she's not speaking, you'll likely find her chasing four kids, dreaming up her next big idea, drinking coffee in her bright pink kitchen, or wondering why everyone insists on calling self-care a bubble bath when sometimes it looks a lot more like saying "no," eating lunch before 4:00 p.m., or finally making that doctor's appointment you've been putting off.

Kenzie believes resilience isn't about becoming tougher.

It's about becoming more yourself.

And if attendees leave her workshops feeling a little lighter, a little more hopeful, and a lot less alone...

She considers that a pretty great day.

Bradley Winger

Hazardous Release Preparedness Coordinator
Session(s):
Hidden Dangers: Lithium-Ion Battery Hazards and EMS Response Strategies in Minnesota  |  Jan 23  |  3:00 pm

Brad Winger serves with the State of Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division as the Hazardous Release Preparedness Coordinator, where he plays a key role in advancing fire safety, emergency response readiness, and hazard awareness across the state. With extensive experience in fire service operations and public safety, he has developed specialized expertise in emerging hazards, including lithium-ion battery incidents, energy storage systems, and the complex chemical threats associated with them. Throughout his career, Brad has worked closely with fire departments, EMS agencies, and public safety partners to improve responder safety and operational effectiveness. His work includes training development, incident analysis, and public education initiatives designed to address modern fire risks in both urban and rural environments. He has worked in the field as a ground paramedic, flight paramedic, firefighter, dispatcher, and hazardous materials specialist, with specialties in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive, and surface transportation threats. Brad is a sought-after speaker and instructor, known for translating complex technical hazards into practical, field-ready knowledge for first responders. He regularly contributes to statewide training efforts, helping ensure Minnesota’s emergency services remain prepared for evolving threats. He is also involved as an on-call coordinator of the State Emergency Response Teams, which involves the state's four bomb squads, eleven Hazardous Material Response Teams (HMRT), two task force teams (TF), and the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) His commitment to responder safety, interagency collaboration, and proactive risk reduction continues to support the mission of the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division in protecting lives and property.

Brad Wright

EMS Program Director/Faculty
Session(s):
MN EMS Education Update  |  Jan 22  |  3:30 pm

Brad is the Program Director at Anoka Technical College. He has been in EMS for over 35 working as and EMT and Paramedic. Brad has been in EMS education as a full-time educator for 20 years and is currently the Program Director for Anoka Technical College's EMS program. Brad also represent EMS Educators in the State of MN on the MN OEMS Labor and Provider Council.

Caitlin Wright

Community Risk Reduction Officer

Caitlin Wright is the Community Risk Reduction Officer with the Cloquet Area Fire District, where she focuses on public safety, education, and community outreach. With a background in education and communication, Caitlin is passionate about connecting with the community and finding practical ways to prevent injuries and improve outcomes.
Before joining The Cloquet Area Fire District in 2024, Caitlin worked in early childhood education and later led the School-Age Care and Curriculum program for ISD 94. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Deaf Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University of Moorhead. She is certified in Emergency Services Risk Reduction, Leadership Accountability, is a CPR instructor, as well as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST).
In her current role, Caitlin works closely with fire and EMS personnel to identify community risks and develop prevention strategies. Her work focuses on the intersection of prevention, EMS, and community health, with a particular interest in reducing preventable injuries and helping first responders make an even greater impact before an emergency occurs.
Caitlin brings an approachable, practical, and engaging perspective to her work and is passionate about turning community education into meaningful action.

Tony Yeley

Risk Manager/EMS Manager/EMR
Session(s):
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Wednesday  |  Jan 20  |  11:00 am
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel - Thursday  |  Jan 21  |  8:00 am
I'm Fine. (the lie we often tell about mental health)  |  Jan 24  |  10:45 am

17 year EMR in mining and local ambulances. BA from Scholastica. Public speaker on truama, mental health, and suicide. Audiences have included Bois Forte gov't employees, Fraternal Order of Police, St. Louis County 911 Telecommunicators, AEMSA sessions.

Bill Young

Program Director
Session(s):
Little Bodies, Big Emergencies: Pediatric Shock Recognition  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am
Why Are You Such A Pain In The #%$  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am
Empowering EMS Responders: Creating Engaging 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Stories  |  Jan 24  |  8:00 am
Trauma for Two…No Waiting!!!  |  Jan 24  |  9:30 am
Why Failure Should Always Be An Option  |  Jan 24  |  10:45 am

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 heavily involved in prehospital emergency medicine education, fostering a strong emphasis on pathophysiology and the mechanisms that drive effective prehospital care. 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.