2026 Speakers
Updated as Speakers are Confirmed
| Meagan Johnson - Meagan serves as the National Director of Travel Paramedicine at Best Practice Medicine, where she provides executive oversight of multi-state paramedic workforce deployment, operational system support, and strategic healthcare partnerships. She currently oversees national travel paramedicine operations that support EMS agencies, hospital systems, and healthcare organizations experiencing workforce shortages and increasing service demands. This role requires comprehensive leadership across strategic planning, workforce development, regulatory compliance, fiscal management, and quality assurance. She is responsible for ensuring that staffing models are clinically sound, operationally efficient, and aligned with the specific needs of the communities served. |
Bo Gieger - Bo is a Nationally Registered Paramedic, first certified in 1987. Throughout his career, he has served as an instructor for BLS, ACLS, PALS, CPR, BTLS, First Responder, and EMT‑A, sharing his expertise with countless emergency responders. His field experience spans roles from Staff Medic, Training Officer to EMS Manager, giving him a broad and practical understanding of prehospital care and emergency operations. Since 2000, Bo has worked full‑time in Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) fields while continuing to serve part‑time as a paramedic. He is currently the Emergency Response and Preparedness Manager for ExxonMobil Pipeline, where he also performs Public and Stakeholder Engagement for first responders. Bo currently resides in Laurel MS. His family is also dedicated to public service. His wife, Alicia, is a respiratory therapist; his son, Dalton, is a police officer; and his daughter, Madison works as an ICU registered nurse. |
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| Kevin R. Whitsell, BSHCA, NR-P, PediFlite Manager - A dedicated and accomplished EMS professional with nearly two decades of experience in public service, I began my journey with two years as a Firefighter, providing a foundational understanding of emergency response. Following this, I transitioned to EMS, where I graduated at the top of both my EMT and paramedic classes. I then went on to serve seven years as an EMT, building a foundational understanding of emergency care, followed by eleven years as a Nationally Registered Paramedic providing advanced life support in diverse and challenging situations. A pivotal moment in my career occurred in 2017 during a particularly impactful call involving a pediatric drowning. The emotional intensity of the scene left a lasting impression, highlighting areas where I felt a need for greater confidence and expertise. Observing the poised and skilled critical care team from Le Bonheur Children's Hospital's PediFlite in the receiving hospital ignited a profound desire to emulate their capabilities. Driven by this inspiration, I pursued and successfully secured a position with the esteemed PediFlite team. Starting as a Critical Care Paramedic, I embraced the rigorous demands of providing advanced care during critical transports. My commitment and aptitude led to progressive roles within the organization, including Dispatcher, Dispatch Supervisor, and my current position as Manager. Notably, in 2021, I spearheaded the effort to establish Le Bonheur Children's Hospital as a National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Training Center. Soon after this achievement, I initiated monthly trauma-informed care calls as a key part of our mental health initiative and have trained numerous Mental Health Resource Officers within our organization, who now operate a very successful peer support team. This journey has been marked by continuous growth and a deep appreciation for the vital role of critical care transport and comprehensive education in our healthcare system. Complementing my extensive field experience, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and am currently pursuing a Master's degree in the same field, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing professional development. I have also had the privilege of sharing my knowledge and experiences as a speaker at numerous events at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and have received national recognition from Dan and Titus of the television show "Night Watch." My passion extends beyond clinical care to the critical well-being of EMS professionals. Having navigated the inherent emotional challenges of this profession, particularly in the aftermath of difficult calls, I embarked on a dedicated mental health journey two years ago. This personal experience has fueled a strong desire to support my colleagues in developing resilience and healthy coping mechanisms. I am eager to contribute to the Mississippi EMS Conference by sharing insights on topics vital to our field. I am particularly passionate about presenting on "Their Nightmares Are Our Reality: Healing and Coping in EMS," a presentation focused on navigating the emotional toll of critical incidents, including pediatric emergencies. This session will explore coping strategies, both healthy and unhealthy, and emphasize pathways to recovery from the most challenging experiences we face. |
Paul Boackle was
born and raised in central Mississippi. In 1993, he started his
pre-hospital journey with the Ridgeland Fire Department and completed
his EMT in the fall of 1994. In 1997, he graduated from Millsaps College
in Jackson, MS and started at the University of Mississippi Medical
Center. Boackle attended the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s
(UMC) School of Nursing and graduated in 2001 with his BSN. He pursued
additional training and served as a SWAT Medic with a local sheriff’s
department. He started ground critical care transport in 2001 and served
as a flight nurse in the Mississippi Air National Guard for 21 years.
He started rotor wing transport in 2006 and joined the University of
Mississippi AirCare team in 2007. Boackle has worked with ASTNA, ENA,
BCEN, and AAP in various roles. Over the last 30 years, Boackle has
served in multiple pre-hospital, civilian, military, and disaster
settings across six continents. He currently lives with his wife and two
sons in Brandon, MS. |
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| Dr. Benji Sessums, PhD serves as the Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Jones College, where he has spent nearly 20 years advancing EMS education. A paramedic since 2004, Benji began teaching at Jones in 2005 and led the EMS program as Program Director for over a decade. During his time in that role, he helped secure major simulation grants, expanded program offerings, and supported the development of hundreds of EMS professionals across Mississippi. Benji remains active in both clinical and professional service, working with ambulance services and serving with multiple groups as part of the Mississippi EMS Advisory Board, the Governor’s Taskforce for EMS Advancement, and as a board member for the Mississippi Center for Advancement of Prehospital Medicine. He also recently completed an eight-year term as President of the Mississippi EMS Educators Association. With a PhD in Science and Mathematics Education with an emphasis in Human Anatomy and Physiology, a Master’s in Biology, and years of classroom, clinical, and leadership experience, Benji brings a practical, student-centered perspective to his work. His sessions focus on the changes that are occurring and have occurred in EMS over the last two decades. |
M. Eric Williams, Ed.D., NR-P has
worked in EMS for over two decades and is the Program Director of Jones
College EMS in Ellisville, MS. He is a member of numerous advisory
boards and committees for multiple state and national EMS groups and
foundations. He was also heavily involved or the primary author of
virtually all Mississippi EMS curriculum over the last decade and is
considered a leading expert in EMS policy and education throughout the
nation. He speaks at numerous conferences throughout the Southeast each
year with his entertaining but memorable style. He has also been
instrumental in the production and filming of the new campaign for EMS
advocacy and awareness commercials which are currently airing online. He
is a published author, syndicated newspaper columnist, and has served
as a public health expert on several nationwide radio programs. In rare
moments of free time, he enjoys high-end woodworking, and his shop which
has even been featured on television. |
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| Kevin King, CCP, Air Care/Helicopter Transport, has
been a Flight Nurse/Flight Critical Care Paramedic with University of
Mississippi Medical Center on AirCare 1 since 2001. Prior to becoming a
clinician with AirCare, Kevin served as an EMS provider in both urban and rural areas of Mississippi. Kevin holds instructor credentials in BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, TCCC, TECC, TECC-LEO, and PHTLS. Kevin also teaches full procedure cadaver labs yearly at conferences. Kevin
initially embarked on dual career paths in emergency medicine and law
enforcement, majoring in criminal justice and paramedicine at the same
time. Kevin choose emergency medicine after a tragic traffic accident
claimed the life of his father. Although
Kevin choose emergency medicine, his love of law enforcement led him to
serve as a law enforcement officer as a member of the Hinds County
Sheriffs Office Reserve unit. Kevin attended the part time academy in
2003 and continues to serve as a Rankin County Reserve Deputy today.
Kevin provides regular education in each discipline on a regular basis
across the state training fire, medical and law enforcement personnel. Kevin lives in Richland, Mississippi with his family where he remains dedicated to serving his community. |
