EMSAC leaders' wide contributions to the profession and their communities

By Monet Meisman, EMSAC Communications Committee

EMSAC leaders contribute greatly to the organization, but many of us are unaware of their extensive efforts beyond EMSAC. They are deeply committed, showing dedication both within the organization and in many external roles. Actively participating in many professional boards and community groups, these people bring a wealth of experience and a passion for service that extends far beyond their roles within EMSAC.

From participating in national health organizations to serving on local nonprofit boards, these leaders leverage their expertise to make a broader impact. Their contributions span various sectors, including healthcare, public safety, education, and community development. Their contributions impact EMS internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.

To start, Chris Williams is EMSAC’s Region 3 Director, consisting of 6 counties: Denver, Broomfield, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert. Williams comes with 23 years of experience and currently serves as a board member on the State of Colorado EMS Task Force. In the past, Williams served as a board member for the North Central Region Health Care Coalition and Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Services. He has also served the Boulder Substance Abuse Advisory Group, the Boulder County Community Infectious Disease Emergency Response Team, and the Boulder Health and Medical Response Committee.

Scott Sholes, EMSAC’s now-vice president and immediate past president, works as EMS Chief at Durango Fire & Rescue and has been in EMS for 45 years. Sholes serves as chair of the Southwest RETAC (Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Councils) as well as La Plata County EMS Council. Additionally, he is president of Heart Safe La Plata, a non-profit that supplies AEDs to the public, along with CPR and BLS education.

Nick Nudel is director of Region 1 for EMSAC. Region 1 encompasses northeast Colorado and is home to these counties: Boulder, Larimer, Weld, Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Philips, Washington and Yuma. Nudel recently accepted the full-time position as executive director for Northeast Colorado RETAC. He also works for UCHealth as a paramedic and as a paramedic research scientist on the side. Nudel’s contributions to EMS and public safety are extensive.

• Founding member and President of the American Paramedic Association
• Founding board member of the  National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) Colorado Chapter
• Treasurer and board member of the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA)
• Co-Founder of the EKG Club (in 2003), now a Facebook group with 400,000 members
• International Roundtable of Community Paramedicine (IRCP) council
• Prehospital Emergency Medical Services Personnel: Comparing Rural and Urban Provider Experience and Provision of Evidence-based Care with the University of Washington's WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
• American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Centers for Disease Control "Hear Her Campaign" to reduce postpartum mortality (https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/)
• BiPartisan Council's Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Project (https://bipartisanpolicy.org/)
• Flex Monitoring Team, University of Southern Maine technical expert panel on licensure
• Johns Hopkins University Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC)
• North Dakota EMS Association's federally funded Rural EMS Counts project (https://ndemsa.org/Rural-EMS-Counts)
• Prehospital Guidelines Consortium (http://prehospitalguidelines.org/)
• Stratis Health Rural EMS 'QI Basics' Training development
• Town of Wellington finance committee

David Patterson, EMSAC’s secretary, is based out of Aurora CO and works full time as regional managing director for Falck. Patterson found his passion for EMS in Texas where he began his career and has now been in Colorado for almost 24 years. Patterson serves his community across an array of public service aspects ranging beyond just medical services detailed in the list below.

• Secretary for Aurora Economic Development Council
• Board Member of Aurora Chamber of Commerce Foundation
• Board Member of Aurora Mental Health Center
• Board Member of Spirit of Aurora Board of Directors
• Emeritus Board Member for Community College of Aurora Foundation
• Member of Rotary Club of Aurora & National Eagle Scout Association
• Vice President of Tallyn’s Reach Metropolitan District Authority
• Member of Aurora Federal Credit Union Board of Directors
• Past Chair of Aurora Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Paul Johnson is EMSAC’s Region 3 Director containing the counties of Clear Creek, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson and Boulder. In his primary role, Paul is the Division Chief of EMS for Mountain View Fire in Longmont. Beyond his contributions to EMSAC and Mountain View Fire, Johnson actively participates in several other organizations:

• Foothills RETAC- Board of Directors
• FRETAC- MCI committee chair
• FRETAC – Co-Chair Whole Blood Committee
• North Central Region for Homeland Security- Board of Directors
• Co-chair for EMS subcommittee for incident operation NCR
• North Central Region Healthcare Coalition (NCR HCC)- Board of Directors
• Chair of protocol committee for Boulder County
• Pt tracking task force for HCC
• Boulder HAMR – EMS representative
• Active attack task force for Boulder County
• Whole Blood Coalition pre-hospital operation committee – Co-chair

Joshua Lorenzen is the EMSAC's Region 9 Director, representing members in the counties of La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Juan, and Archuleta. Outside of his responsibilities with EMSAC, Lorenzen is the Fire Chief with Los Pinos Fire Protection District. Additionally, he is involved with Colorado State Fire Chiefs, La Plata County EMS Council, Colorado Fire Fighters Academy (CFFA) committee and works as an EMS Adjunct Instructor for Pueblo Community College.

These are only a few of the many leaders involved in EMSAC’s affairs however it paints a picture of the commitment and enthusiasm they have for public safety and gives a glimpse into the hours spent helping make EMS better for the public and providers.

Monet Meisman began her career in interfacility transport and event medicine and currently works as an EMT for Grand County EMS, serving the mountain communities of Colorado. She is deeply fascinated by medicine and finds great joy in her work. When she’s not on duty Monet can be found jumping out of perfectly good airplanes (with a parachute of course!) or exploring Colorados stunning natural areas.