Chad Ponder is an accomplished emergency management, health and safety, and technical rescue professional with more than 25 years of experience in emergency response, hazardous materials management, regulatory compliance, and specialized rescue training. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership roles across government, public safety, and private industry, developing and delivering high-impact training programs while supporting organizational readiness and regulatory compliance.

Currently serving as Instructor with Gettinger & Associates and Emergency Manager with the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, Chad specializes in hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and emergency response operations. He is responsible for coordinating and delivering technician-level training programs in accordance with NFPA, OSHA, and other applicable standards and regulations as well as responding to emergencies involving chemical and biological agents.

Prior to these roles, Chad served as Corporate Trainer and Health Safety Manager for environmental response company, where he led safety and compliance initiatives, conducted incident investigations, developed Health and Safety Plans (HASPs) and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), performed site audits, managed response equipment programs, and responded to chemical and biological incidents. His expertise includes regulatory interpretation, risk assessment, compliance auditing, emergency preparedness, and workforce development.

Chad also served as Instructor and Hazardous Materials Program Coordinator at the Mississippi State Fire Academy, where he coordinated and instructed hazardous materials, technical rescue, and incident command courses for emergency responders throughout the state. During this time, he also contributed to emergency management efforts involving agriculture emergencies and animal disease incidents, helping protect public health, livestock, and critical agricultural resources.

Recognized for his practical field experience and instructional excellence, Chad is dedicated to enhancing responder capabilities, improving organizational safety culture, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. His career reflects a commitment to public service, emergency preparedness, and the professional development of first responders and industrial personnel.

Dr. Mouayyad Zaza, UMMC Assistant Professor - Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS

Education: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Trauma/Critical Care Houston Methodist Hospital, General Surgery Weill Cornell Medicine ‐ Qatar, MD, Doctor of Medicine Specialty Certification Licensure, Mississippi State Medical License Certification,  Surgical Critical Care Certification, General Surgery

Honors, Awards, and Recognition: Medical Student Teacher of the Year, Department of Surgery; Best Visiting Lecturer, Department of Emergency Medicine 2022

Administrative Service: M4 Student Clerkships, Clerkship Director Trauma Program, Assistant Trauma Medical Director for Performance Improvement MS State Trauma Committee, Vice Chair for Education Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Associate Program Director

Professional/Society Memberships: American College of Surgeons, Fellow The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Member Chest Wall Injury Society, Member MS ACS Chapter, Member State Committee on Trauma, Officer, Other Officer

Committee Service: School of Medicine-Curriculum Member Surgery Education Committee, Member Direct Cost for Procedures, Task Force Member DRG Optimization Committee, Member The University Hospitals and Clinics-Trauma, Member

Community Service: Providing meals for underprivileged Jacksonians, Volunteer

UMMC Teaching Experience: Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, TEAM Training

Non-UMMC Teaching Experience: Annual Course, Course Director, ATLS Course, ATLS

Residency Training: General Surgery, Attending Physician

Clinical Fellowship Training: Surgical Critical Care, Assistant Fellowship Director, 0 fellows supervised Annual 2024 ‐ Present 07/2020 ‐ Present

Dr. William Ferguson, Director: Office of Emergency Medical Services, UAB Emergency Medicine

Education: B.S. Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, Jackson, MS; Bible Studies, Rhema Bible Training Center, Broken Arrow, OK; Doctor of Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN

Licensure: Florida State Medical License, Mississippi State Medical License, Georgia State Medical License, Alabama State Medical License, Alabama Controlled Substance; DEA Controlled Substance Registration Certificate/s; Multiple States: Registered Nurse

Board Certification: Board Certified, American Board of Emergency Medicine, Board Certified, American Board of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medical Services

Post-Doctoral Training: Emergency Medicine Residency, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL: Emergency Medical Services Fellowship, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Academic Appointments:  Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Clinical Instructor/Fellow, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Medical Director, Jefferson State Community College, Paramedic Program, Birmingham, AL; Medical Director, Birmingham Regional Emergency, Medical Services System

Hospital and Other (non-Academic) Appointments: Medical Director, Maragret Fire and Rescue, Margaret, AL; Medical Director, Sylvan Springs Fire Department, Sylvan Springs, AL; Medical Director, West Chilton Fire Department, Jemison, AL; Medical Director, New London Fire and Rescue, New London, AL; Medical Director, Nectar Fire Department, Hayden, AL; Medical Director, Dora Fire Department, Dora, AL; Medical Director, US Steel, EMS, and Fire Department, Fairfield, AL; Medical Director, Odenville Fire and Rescue, Odenville, AL; Medical Director, Morris Fire Department, Morris, AL; Medical Director, Graysville Fire Department, Graysville, AL; Medical Director, Raglans Fire Department, Ragland, AL; Medical Director, Midfield Fire Department, Midfield, AL; Medical Director, Birmingham Fire and Rescue, EMS Training Institute, Birmingham, AL; Medical Director, Regional Paramedical Services, Jasper, AL; Medical Director, Air Methods - LifeSaver 3, Cusseta, AL, LifeSaver 4, Sylacauga, AL, LifeSaver 5, Evergreen, AL, South Flight, Mobile, AL; Medical Director, Cedar Grove Fire department, Cedar Grove, AL; Medical Director, Minor Heights Fire Department, Minor Heights, AL; Medical Director, Hueytown Fire and Rescue, Hueytown AL; Medical Director, Forestdale Fire and Rescue, Forestdale, AL; Medical Director, Pleasant Grove Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Grove, AL; Medical Director, Fultondale Fire and Rescue, Fultondale, AL; Medical Director, Birmingham Fire and Rescue, Birmingham, AL; Assistant Director, UAB ACGME EMS Fellowship Department of Emergency Medicine, Birmingham, AL; Medical Director, Gardendale Fire and Rescue, Gardendale, AL; Medical Director, Kimberly Fire Department, Kimberly, AL; Medical Director, City of Warrior Fire and Rescue, Warrior, AL; Medical Director, Trussville Fire and Rescue, Trussville, AL; Medical Director, Survival Flight, Base 16, Rainbow City, AL; Medical Director, Lawson State University, EMT Program, Birmingham, AL; Medical Director, Brookside Fire and Rescue, Brookside, AL; Medical Director, Holly Springs Fire and Rescue; Medical Director, Montevallo Fire and Rescue ...

Awards and Honors: 2025: UAB Department of Emergency Medicine ‘s Mentorship Award; April 22, 2023, AMKUS Star Award for Rescue Service at Talladega Superspeedway/ NASCAR; 

2022: UAB Department of Emergency Medicine’s Excellence Outstanding Educator Award; 

2021: Janyce Sanford Legacy Award for Emergency Medicine Leadership in the State of Alabama: UAB Department of Emergency Medicine; 2013 Chief Resident, University of Alabama Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Teaching Experience: Medical director for all Birmingham Regional EMT and AEMT training   programs sponsored by the ADPH, State Office of EMS; ATLS-Instructor (Advanced Trauma Life Support); Air Methods, LifeSaver Advanced Chest Tube and Airway Management Competency/Initial Training, Huntsville, AL; RAMS, Aeromedical Transport Service for RPS, Initial orientation

and Advanced Cadaver Lab, Bi-monthly Critical Care Continuing Education (2020); UAB, Emergency Medicine’s Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistant Training “Boot Camp” June 12, 2018; Alabama ACEP, Annual Conference, Advanced Practice “Boot Camp” Didactic and Skills Lab, Course Developer, Director, Presenter; Annual Extrication Training for EM Residents with Birmingham Fire and Rescue, Heavy Rescue, Station Two; UAB Interdisciplinary Active Shooter Drill, June 23, 2016; Emergency Medicine EMS Training: Alabama EMS Challenge @Alabama EMS Challenge on Facebook; Alabama EMS Challenge BREMSS; Bimonthly Con-Ed for Medics/Nurses/ Physician Statewide; Critical Care Paramedic Training 2015; BI-Annual Cadaver training; Annual OB SIM Lab; Monthly Skill lab in Association with Alabama Fire College; Providing State Approved / NREMT Continuing Education; Providing ENA Approved CEUS; Providing CME in association with UAB; Founder/ Developer/ Presenter Statistics for 2024; Annual Competency for NASCAR/Talladega Track Services Personal, Lincoln, AL; Annual Competency for Life Saver Aeromedical Services, Birmingham Region; Introduction to Critical Care Paramedicine, Three Day Courses, including Didactic/ SIM Training; Annual Competency for all EMS agencies currently associated with as Medical Director; Annual Emergency Medicine Resident Cadaver Lab, Annual ACLS/PALS Training for EM Residents; Maryland’s Critical Care Paramedic Program (UAB); Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course Instructor; American Heart Association, PALS Instructor; American Heart Association, BLS Instructor; Trauma Nursing Core Course Instructor; American Heart Association, ACLS Instructor 

Jim Logan, BS, EMT-P, PD is a seasoned expert in Emergency Services and Emergency Management, bringing over 40 years of dedicated service to the fields of health, safety, and security. His career is distinguished by his work in Consequence Management, Public Health Coordination, Emergency Preparedness, Quality Improvement, and Emergency Services Education.

Jim is a nationally recognized author with contributions to leading emergency services trade journals and textbooks. As an EMS Instructor Program Director, Fire Instructor, and adjunct faculty member at FEMA’s National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, he has helped shape the next generation of emergency responders.

Renowned for his innovation in emergency service education, Jim is a recipient of the JEMS EMS10 Innovator Award and has been recognized nationally for his contributions to the field. He is also a frequent national and international speaker, presenting on a wide range of topics including emergency response, public health integration, and Homeland Security.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health and Safety from the University of Memphis. In addition to his leadership roles, he has served for more than a decade as a Rescue/Medical Specialist and Medical Coordinator with FEMA’s Tennessee Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue Team.

With a lifelong commitment to public safety, training excellence, and operational readiness, Jim Logan continues to be a respected voice and leader in the emergency services community.

Juvonda S. Hodge, MD, FACS

Academic Appointments: Professor of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Surgery; Medical Director, Burn Unit, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Licensures: Alabama Medical License Issue Date: June 2002; Georgia Medical License Issue Date: June 2014; Mississippi Medical License Issue Date: October 2023 
Boards and Specialty Boards: American Board of Surgery
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia; Medical Doctorate 
New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey

Postgraduate Training: General Surgery Residency, Howard University Hospital; Residency included rotation at DC General Hospital, Children’s Hospital Providence Hospital, Washington Hospital Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital and Greater Southeast Community Hospital Program Director: Debra Ford, M.D.; General Surgery Residency – Chief Resident, Howard University Hospital, Program Director: Debra Ford, M.D.
Society Memberships: National Medical Association; The Society of Black Academic Surgeons; Mobile County Medical Association; Alabama State Medical Association; American College of Surgeons, Active Fellow; American Burn Association
Honors and Awards: Red Sash Teaching Award:  2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013, University of South Alabama; Rising Star Award, YWCA 2005; Surgical Educator of the Year: 2010, 2013 University of South Alabama; Top 25 Influential Black Physicians of Mobile, Pensacola Feb. 2011; Second Place Award Resident Competition for Oral Abstract Southern Region Burn conference, Tampa, FL, November 2013; Press Ganey 2017 Performance Excellence Award Grady Health System and Emory School of Medicine; 2018 Highest RVU Surgeon at Grady for Emory Division, Nominee, Above and Beyond Award, Emory at Grady Faculty Awards ,2020 
Formal Teaching: “Care of the Burn Patient”, Junior Resident Lecture Emory School of Medicine, 2015 - 2016; “Care of the Burn Patient”, Rehabilitation Department Grady Memorial Hospital, 2016; “Care of the Burn Patient”, Surgery Resident Lecture Morehouse School of Medicine, 2017 & 2019; “Practice Issues XII: Casting the Net II” University of South Alabama College of Medicine, September 2012; “Cholecystectomy Indication and Special Considerations in Sickle Cell Disease” Mitchell Center - University of South Alabama College of Medicine, September 2012; “Introduction to Surgery – Pre and Postop Surgery Documentation” Health Sciences Building - University of South Alabama College of Medicine, April 2013; WISER podcast “Assimilating versus Adapting in Academia” September 2020; Transition to Residency Elective, Course Director, University of South Alabama 2013-2014. 

Dr Gerad Troutman, MD, MBA, FACEP, FAEMS is the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Global Medical Response and medical director for the American Ambulance Association. He is an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX where he is the local EMS medical director and serves as a mentor to the Texas Tech Innovations Hub. He is a past president of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians and currently serves on the Governor’s EMS & Trauma Advisory Council of Texas.  He is a graduate of the UMMC Emergency Medicine Residency Program in Jackson, MS.

Dr. Victoria Miles is an Assistant Professor of Burn Surgery at University Medical Center New Orleans in association with Louisiana State University Health Science Center New Orleans. She was born and raised in South Mississippi. While completing college and medical school, Dr. Miles worked full-time as an EMT-Paramedic in Hazelhurst and Durant, Mississippi. She served as an adjunct instructor for the Holmes Community College Paramedic and Critical Care Paramedic programs for many years. Dr. Miles graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed her general surgery residency and research years at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga. Dr. Miles then completed her Surgical Critical Care and Burn Surgery Fellowship at University of Texas Southwestern, Parkland Hospital, in Dallas where she received the Top Knife Award for Best Fellow Technical Skills. Her research interests include military and EMS burn education, burn hypermetabolism and nutrition, limb salvage, and acute burn resuscitation and coagulopathy. Dr. Miles directs the American Burn Association’s Mentorship Program and serves on the American Burn Association's Reconstruction, Program and Membership Committees. In addition, Dr. Miles was elected to the International Society of Burn Injuries' Burn Care Committee and International Burn Center Assessment Team. She is a scientific reviewer for the Journal of Burn Care and Research, Burns, and the American Journal of Surgery. An early career burn surgeon, Dr. Miles has authored over 50 publications, given over 20 national and international podium presentations, and authored two book chapters. In her free time, Dr. Miles enjoys traveling with her husband, Dr. Daniel Miles, who is an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon for Tulane University in New Orleans, and her baby, Adeline.

Matthew R. Streger is a paramedic and attorney with forty years of EMS experience. Matthew is a Partner at the law firm of Keavney & Streger in New Jersey where he focuses his practice on the needs of EMS agencies and healthcare providers. He is the recipient of multiple law and EMS awards and is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.
Matthew has practiced law since 2006 and is a past leader in the New Jersey State Bar Association. He previously worked in EMS systems in New Jersey, New York, South Carolina and Ohio. Matthew served as the Executive Director of Mobile Health Services (EMS) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey and the Deputy Commissioner of EMS in Cleveland. He was a member of the Panel of Commissioners for the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) from 2015 to 2020, and is a principal member of the CAAS 4.0 Standards Committee.
Matthew completed his Paramedic Training at the UMDNJ School of Health-Related Professions in Newark, New Jersey.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a Master of Public Administration Degree from Clemson University, and a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Matthew is an Adjunct Professor at Eastern Kentucky University and a Paramedic at St. Clare’s Health in Dover in New Jersey. He is also a member of the New Jersey District XIII Ethics Committee.

ShyAnn King, RN, NRP, CEN, TCRN, started her career in EMS in 2000 working for the Livingston Fire Department in Livingston, AL.  Shortly after, she started her nursing career in Meridian, MS.  Her experience includes ER, ICU, Cardiac Cath lab, and Trauma Program Manager, and she is currently working as a Flight Nurse for UMMC AirCare since 2016.  She served on the East Central MS Trauma Region for three years where she was able to secure a grant for a bleeding control pilot program as well as bringing the first full procedure cadaver lab to the area.
ShyAnn continues to share her drive to decrease trauma mortality through education, including speaking at local, state, and national conferences and providing guest lectures for PA and Critical Care Programs.  She also brought the first Mock Trial surrounding trauma to the MS State Trauma Conference in 2023.  This included attorneys to fight the case as well as judge and jury to decide the outcome.  She has been a chapter author for a clinical airway management book and been a contributor for a retrospective study of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate in the prehospital setting, published and reported by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
Most recently, ShyAnn along with her husband Kevin King presented “Return to Service: Lessons Learned from the Fatal Crash of N835CS” at the Critical Care Transport Medical Conference (CCTMC). She is also first author on the research titled “Impact of Advanced HEMS-Based Scene Resuscitation on Trauma Outcomes in a Rural Trauma System,” presented at the CCTMC Scientific Forum.  This research evaluated the impact of advanced prehospital resuscitation on trauma outcomes in a rural system, with abstract publication forthcoming in the Air Medical Journal.

Josh Bankston is a dedicated Emergency Nurse Practitioner with a rich background in emergency care and flight nursing. Currently working in a moderate-sized emergency room, he provides critical care to patients experiencing urgent medical situations. His ability to make swift, informed decisions in high-pressure environments is a hallmark of his practice.
With over 12 years in the flight nursing industry, Josh has honed his skills in air medical transport, adeptly managing patient care during critical transfers. This unique combination of emergency room and flight nursing experience allows him to deliver comprehensive care, ensuring patients receive the best possible treatment in both settings.
Josh is committed to professional growth, regularly pursuing continuing education and certifications to stay abreast of the latest developments in emergency medicine. His passion for the field is matched only by his dedication to mentoring aspiring nurses, sharing his knowledge and experiences to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Through his work, Josh exemplifies the core values of empathy, resilience, and excellence, making a significant impact on the lives of his patients and the broader medical community.

Melissa Haley is the Trauma Program Manager at Delta Health System – The Medical Center, in Greenville, MS where she has served since 2007 and in her current role for the past four years. With a clinical background in pre-hospital helicopter EMS, emergency and critical care nursing, she has extensive experience in emergency department operations, trauma program management, performance improvement, and disaster preparedness.
She is actively involved in trauma system development and healthcare leadership at both the regional and state levels. Through these roles, she collaborates with EMS agencies, healthcare leaders, and community partners to strengthen trauma systems, improve patient outcomes, and advance injury prevention initiatives.
Melissa has lived in the Mississippi Delta for over 40 years and considers it home. She is married to Scott Haley, a 25-year Army veteran, and together they have seven children and four grandchildren. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hiking (with a firm stance against camping), playing Mahjong with friends, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren.
As a lifelong resident of the Delta, Melissa is passionate about ensuring access to high-quality trauma care close to home and translating lessons learned from real-world events into meaningful system improvements.

Dorian A. Patterson, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Trauma Management
Education - Master of Science in Nursing – Education, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi; Associate Degree – Nursing, Holmes Community College, Ridgeland, Mississippi; Master of Science – Biology, Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi; Bachelor of Science – Chemistry, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia
Licensure - Registered Nurse, State of Mississippi
Professional Experience - Instructor School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi; Nurse Educator - II, Trauma Management, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi; Staff Nurse / Preceptor, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi; Staff Nurse / Back-up Charge Nurse / Preceptor, Adult Emergency Department, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

Honors and Awards - Spring 2025 Society of Trauma Nurses / Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing Doctoral Scholarship Recipient; Spring 2023 Summa Cum Laude; Spring 2022 Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing; Spring 2018 Nursing Student of the Year; Spring 2017 Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; Spring 2017 President’s List

Michael Arinder, NRP is a dynamic clinical leader skilled in developing and implementing education and training programs to improve patient care, leadership skills, and risk management. Experienced in managing large-scale clinical operations, enhancing patient safety and quality, and standardizing practices across multiple states with a proven track record in disaster management, including incident management roles during national emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters.
Highlights - Led clinical operations and education activities spanning across the GMR footprint supporting >38,000 employees; Drove divisional strategic plans to reduce patient safety events, improve documentation, and implement new care processes; Coordinated clinical functions for acquisitions, startups, and improvement programs across multiple states; Developed credential maintenance, narcotics management, and clinical records retention practices; Developed and supported education related to Field Training Officer, Collaborative High Reliability, and Leadership Training; Led national incident management activities in multiple major hurricane and national pandemic responses; Certified Collaborative High Reliability Instructor with over 10 years’ experience as an instructor and event reviewer.

Education - Bachelor of Emergency Management — Columbia Southern University, Oct 2022; Phi Theta Kappa Honors; National Society of Leaders, Summa Cum Laude; Critical Care Paramedic (AAS) Holmes Community College, May 2014; Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (AAS) — Holmes Community College, Aug 2007; Student of the Year; President’s Scholarship; Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society; Emergency Medical Technician — Hinds Community College, May 2005
Certifications and Training - Licensed Paramedic – Mississippi; Nationally Registered Paramedic; American Heart Association Training Center Faculty; Former NAEMT Education Coordinator; NIMS IS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 & 800; ACLS; PALS; CPR; PEARS; AMLS; EPC; Advanced Stroke Life Support; EMS Safety; EVOC Instructor; TCCC; Advanced ECG Interpretation; Collaborative High Reliability-Just Culture; Institute for Healthcare Improvement-Grad.

Courtney Day, RN, is a nurse with more than 18 years of experience in emergency medicine and trauma care. She began her career as an LPN, serving 13 years in direct patient care before becoming a Registered Nurse and specializing in high acuity emergency and trauma settings. Courtney currently serves as the Nurse Team Lead for the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Center for Emergency Medical Services and Acute Care Systems, where she oversees the statewide Trauma, STEMI, and Stroke Systems of Care.
She is actively engaged at the national level through the National Association of State EMS Officials, contributing to the Trauma Managers Council and the Specialty Systems of Care Committee. Under her leadership, Mississippi’s state trauma registry was selected as a finalist for a New Frontier Award, recognizing the innovation of the new fully digital death review form.

Kyle Carter, NRP, FP-C, CFRN, began his EMS career 20 years ago in California, serving in both Orange and Los Angeles Counties. In 2009, he became a paramedic. Shortly afterward, he was approached to participate in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill deployment. Following that experience, he made the transition to South Mississippi, where he began working full-time as a paramedic. 
Throughout his career, he has served on numerous disaster and emergency-response deployments, both locally and through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These deployments have included assignments in Puerto Rico, St Croix, Maryland, Florida, and Texas. 
During his time in Mississippi, he became increasingly interested in the critical care side of EMS. In 2015, he was fortunate to join Ochsner/Rescue 5 as a flight paramedic. This role allowed him to experience medicine at what he believes is its highest level of complexity and acuity. 
He earned his FP-C certification in 2018 and continued working as a flight paramedic while also serving as a base educator. In 2022, he completed nursing school and gained experience working in several emergency departments while maintaining full-time status on the aircraft. In 2023, he earned his CFRN certification, giving him critical care board certifications on both the paramedic and nursing sides. This dual perspective has helped him understand emergency medicine through a broad range of clinical perspectives and patient-care environments. 
In 2024, he was offered the opportunity to serve as Regional Director for Pafford EMS on the Gulf Coast, where he continues to serve today. In this role, he remains committed to improving EMS services, supporting the professionals who provide them, and advancing emergency medical care throughout the community he calls home.

Josh Rose - is a 30+ year EMS industry veteran. Josh has held roles as a provider, instructor, consultant, operations lead, and program development leader. A self-proclaimed "EMS Economist", Josh has spent the last 10+ years in new program design and development focused on optimizing the utilization of resources through improved EMS delivery models. Today, Josh serves as GMR's Vice President of Innovative Practices and works alongside in-house and Fire / EMS system partners to develop and implement EMS solutions to decompress overburdened 911 systems.

Juan Carlos Duchesne, MD, FACS, FCCM, FCCP - received his undergraduate education at the University of Puerto Rico (Humacao, Puerto Rico) and his Medical Degree from Ponce School of Medicine (Ponce, Puerto Rico). Dr. Duchesne completed his general surgery residency and fellowship training at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center (New Orleans, LA). Following his fellowship training in 2005, Dr. Duchesne was Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery/Trauma/Critical Care at The University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS). While there, he received the Outstanding Clinical Research Achievement Award. He joined the full-time faculty as an assistant professor Tulane School of Medicine in December 2006. In 2013, Dr Duchesne was in charge of developing a Level II Trauma Center at North Oaks medical center in Hammond Louisiana. He was able to achieve ACS verification of the trauma center within 2 years. He served as Chair of the Committee of Trauma for the Louisiana chapter with the American College of Surgeons and past president of the LA Chapter ACS. He is the founder of the SPARC Academy and has presented his research results at national and international trauma and critical care surgical conferences. He is recipient of the prestigious Shipley Award for excellence in surgical research by the Southern Surgical Society and recently inducted in to the oldest scientific research honor society in America the Sigma XI. Dr. Duchesne finished in 2025 his masters in disaster management at Tulane School of Public Health and is well published, with more than 300 publications and 300 national and international guest speaker invitations. Dr Duchesne is currently at University of Mississippi Medical Center as Division Chief of Trauma, Peds, Burns, and Acute Care Surgery at the only Level I trauma center in the state.

Sam Marshall is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth for iSolved and formerly served as a Program Director for PHI Air Medical, where he managed eight helicopter bases across five states. Sam has more than 30 years of experience in emergency medicine, including 18 years in critical care air medical transport as a Flight Paramedic and Program Director.
He holds advanced certifications including Mississippi Critical Care Paramedic, Certified Flight Paramedic, Certified Neonatal and Pediatric Transport, Certified Medical Transport Executive, and Certified Hospital Emergency Personnel.
After the airway-related death of a close friend, Sam dedicated himself to improving airway management through research and education, culminating in his first published book, Rural Clinician Airway Management (RCAM). The book grew out of an airway course he developed to educate physician residency programs and clinicians working in rural emergency departments.
Sam continues that work today, teaching hospitals across the country how to improve airway
management and minimize adverse outcomes.

Rob Fisher, has developed strong personal skills through past 25 years of on-the-job experience and as a firefighter, firefighter/ paramedic, and instructor. He is very organized, an excellent leader, team oriented, caring, and self motivated. He has a solid educational background in Science, and Health and Safety.  Upon graduation of high school his entire life and career has been real life experience and training in the field of firefighting and emergency medical services. Within his first year of becoming a firefighter for the Reservoir fire department he attended EMT-Basic class, and quickly realized he wanted to pursue being a paramedic.  He enrolled into Paramedic school at Holmes Community College from 2001-2003 later worked as paramedic for the Vicksburg Fire Department.  While working on a unit there, he continued his degree path at UMC in Health Science and flying the spring semester of 2006 with UMMC Air Care.  
Rob is a goal-oriented individual who loves to constantly be learning and trying to become better no matter what the job is. He has had the opportunity while working for the MS Fire Academy to work and coordinate nearly all the classes offered on our campus. This requires an instructor to constantly be learning many different disciplines such as hazardous materials, rope rescue, fire officer, and emergency medical services.  This kind of work ethic doesn’t marry well with complacency, but rather a desire to be constantly honing many different skills.  
Rob's strong work ethic and goals has allowed his career at the MS Fire Academy progress from Instructor, Senior Instructor, Advanced Instructor, to Instructor Chief of the EMS Bureau. Within 2 years of the formation of this new bureau they became an AHA Training Center and deliver courses such as EMR, EMT-Basic, EMT Advanced, BLS, ACLS, PALS, and TCCC.

Mickee Ramsey is an accomplished Operations Manager, EMS leader, educator, tactical medical specialist, and advocate with more than 30 years of experience in emergency medical services and healthcare operations. He began his EMS career in 1996 as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) with his local volunteer fire department. In January 2001, he joined AMR Central Mississippi as an EMS Driver, earning his National Registry EMT-Basic certification in June 2001 and his National Registry Paramedic certification in August 2005. Demonstrating a commitment to clinical excellence and professional growth, he later earned both his Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C) and Flight Paramedic (FP-C) certifications in August 2019. In addition to these advanced certifications, Mickee maintains credentials in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), and as a Provider and Instructor in Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). His dedication to clinical education and professional development has enabled him to train and mentor countless EMS and healthcare professionals throughout his career.
Academically, Mickee earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree with an emphasis in Critical Care Paramedicine in 2019. Throughout his career, he has continuously pursued professional development, completing the Global Medical Response (GMR) Leadership Development Program (LDP), GMR Frontline Leadership Academy, GMR Operations Manager Program, GMR Program Manager Program—with a focus on HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) operations—and Just Culture High Reliability training.
Mickee has built a distinguished career marked by leadership, service, and operational excellence. He was promoted to Field Training Officer in 2006, Assistant Operations Supervisor in 2019, and Operations Manager in 2022. His dedication to patient care and the EMS profession has earned him numerous accolades, including being named Mississippi Paramedic of the Year in 2008 and receiving the prestigious National Star of Life Award in 2008, an honor bestowed upon only 118 EMS professionals across the United States that year.
In addition to his operational leadership responsibilities, Mickee serves in numerous leadership, educational, and advisory roles. He is a member of the AMR OEM Disaster Team Leadership/Command Staff, a member of the GMR South Region Reliability Management Team (RMT), and actively contributes to quality, safety, and reliability initiatives throughout the organization. He also serves as EMS Chairman for the Central Mississippi Stroke Systems of Care, EMS Chair for the Mississippi State Traffic Records Coordinating Committee (MS STRCC), and as Adjunct Faculty with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). He further supports the EMS profession through participation on various state and national committees focused on emergency medical services, healthcare improvement, public safety, and transportation safety initiatives.
Beyond traditional EMS operations, Mickee has extensive experience in Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) and currently serves as the TEMS Medical Commander for the Jackson Police Department, Clinton Police Department, Byram Police Department, and the Hinds County Sheriff's Office. Throughout his career, he has provided embedded medical support and operational oversight during high-risk law enforcement operations and has worked alongside agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Mississippi Highway Patrol during SWAT and other specialized tactical missions requiring integrated medical support.
Known for his servant leadership philosophy, commitment to high reliability, and passion for mentoring future EMS professionals, Mickee has dedicated his career to advancing prehospital medicine, improving patient outcomes, and strengthening emergency response systems. Drawing from experience at every level of EMS—from volunteer responder to operational executive—he leads through accountability, collaboration, professional development, and an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mickee enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, working on his land, and supporting his favorite NFL team, the New Orleans Saints. He is married to his wife, Bryce, a nurse, and together they are the proud parents of four children. 
Through his leadership, service, education, and dedication to excellence, Mickee continues to make a lasting impact on the EMS profession and the communities he serves.

Laura Watrous, is an honors graduate of the University of Mississippi, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1995 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001. She began her nursing career in the Adult Emergency Department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. She worked in the Emergency Department from 2001-2024, serving as staff nurse for 2 years, charge nurse for 12 years, and Nurse Educator for the last 9 years. Some of the trauma-related projects in which Laura was involved included monthly Trauma M & M and Emergency Medicine/Trauma simulation sessions. In addition to serving on multiple hospital committees, she was also a member of the Mississippi Department of Health STEMI Advisory Council. She serves as an instructor for several national certifications, including Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Advanced Stroke Life Support, and is a course director and instructor for Trauma Nursing Core Course. Professionally, she is a member of Emergency Nurses Association and has obtained the national certifications of Certified Emergency Nurse and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse.

Lauren Wilkes Stubblefield, MBA, NRP, CP-C, is a strategic planning consultant, grant development/administration specialist, healthcare educator, and Nationally Registered Paramedic with more than two decades of experience leading initiatives. She is a proud public school graduate of MSMS, with degrees from The University of the South at Sewanee as well as the Else School of Management at Millsaps College. Stubblefield has spent more than fifteen years securing, administering, and overseeing grant-funded programs, strategic planning efforts, and organizational development projects while also acting as a First Responder – beginning as a Volunteer Firefighter and currently working towards Critical Care and Flight Paramedic. 
Throughout her career, Stubblefield has partnered with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, faith-based entities, and private-sector clients to advance priorities, secure funding, strengthen operations, and improve organizational effectiveness. Her grant development and management experience spans federal, state, local, and philanthropic funding sources, including successful projects with the U.S. Department of Labor, FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG/SAFER), USDA Community Development Block Grant programs, workforce-development initiatives, and private foundations.
Stubblefield currently serves as an Educator in the Resuscitation Training Core at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she contributes to healthcare workforce development through curriculum design, simulation-based education, instructor development, and community engagement initiatives. She has developed educational resources aligned with AHA and NAEMT standards and has supported programs that integrate healthcare education with broader community-health objectives.
Her professional background combines expertise across multiple industries with an emphasis in entrepreneurial and creative solutions to real world problems.  Known for building consensus among diverse stakeholders, she has successfully led collaborative efforts involving government agencies, community leaders, healthcare systems, educational institutions, and multidisciplinary teams.
Drawing on executive-level business training, frontline healthcare experience, and a strong record of organizational leadership, Stubblefield excels at transforming strategic vision into measurable outcomes. Her work remains focused on meaningful impacts across the southeastern United States, with a particular commitment to her hometown of Vicksburg, MS, where she remains actively engaged in EMS, disaster preparedness, fire service, and other organizations dedicated to advancing excellence in prehospital medicine, healthcare education, and emergency response systems.

Melissa Helmich, MD is a current third year maternal fetal medicine fellow at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UAMS). She graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2014, where she also went on to complete her obstetrics and gynecology residency and graduated as the administrative chief resident in 2018. She served as an Assistant professor in the department of OB/GYN at UAMS. There, she held roles such as the nitrous oxide committee chair and the physician liaison to the midwifery team. After six years of general obstetrics and gynecology practice, she decided to focus her practice on high-risk pregnancies and she entered the match for a maternal fetal medicine fellowship. She currently resides in Madison, Mississippi with her husband and two boys. 

Brent Dierking serves as a Director with NorthStar EMS providing executive management and operational oversight. Additionally, he leads NorthStar's Industrial EMS and Fire Services Department. He is a frequent speaker and author on EMS topics and serves as a CAAS Site Reviewer.

Charles F. Swearingen, BS, NRP, FP-C, is an internationally recognized flight paramedic, critical care educator, author, and speaker with more than two decades of experience in EMS and critical care transport. He has served as a flight paramedic since 2005 and has educated thousands of EMS clinicians through conferences, online education, and published textbooks. Charlie is the founder of MeduPros and the author or contributing author of numerous EMS and critical care references, including Critical Care Transport Handbook, Vent Hero, ECG Hero, and The 100 series. His passion is helping clinicians move beyond memorizing protocols by understanding the physiology that drives critical decision-making in the field.

Victoria Hickerson is a Nurse Trauma Educator with more than 10 years of experience in emergency and trauma nursing. She is passionate about advancing trauma care through education, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. Victoria develops and delivers trauma education for multidisciplinary teams across Mississippi, supporting trauma readiness and system improvement. She serves as a Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) and Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) Faculty member and is committed to equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide exceptional trauma care.

W. Duncan Donald, MD, FACS, a Mississippi native, Duncan Donald grew up in the Delta town of Clarksdale before heading to Vanderbilt University, where he received a B.S. degree. He attended medical school in Jackson at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, earning his M.D. degree there in 1998. He stayed for his surgical training at UMMC in Jackson before starting practice as a general/trauma surgeon in 2003 in Hattiesburg. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery since 2004.
He has gradually increased the trauma care portion of his practice, and in 2015 became the Trauma Medical Director and Director of Surgery at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. In 2017, he was appointed to the state EMSAC committee by Gov. Phil Bryant, and became Chair of Mississippi Trauma Advisory Committee while also serving as Mississippi’s Trauma Medical Director for the Bureau of Acute Care Systems, of the Mississippi State Health Department. 
He has been past-Chair of the Mississippi Committee on Trauma for the American College of Surgeons since 2016, and was recognized as the Phillip Rogers Physician Award for Leadership at Forrest General Hospital in 2017. He is a member of several medical and surgical organizations, including Mississippi State Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and the James D. Hardy Society.

Brandon Robinson, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, is a trauma and emergency nursing professional with a clinical background rooted primarily in emergency medicine at a Level III Trauma Center. He graduated from the University of West Alabama nursing program in May 2015 and has since developed broad experience in emergency care, trauma resuscitation, and critical care transport, including service as a flight nurse. Brandon currently serves as the Trauma Performance Improvement Coordinator for Ochsner Rush Medical Center and as Trauma Coordinator for Ochsner Rush Health System Critical Access Hospitals, supporting four Level IV Trauma Centers across the region. In these roles, he focuses on trauma system development, performance improvement, education, and advancing high-quality trauma care across rural and regional settings.

Lora Nason, MD is an Emergency Medicine physician and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fellow at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her clinical and academic interests include prehospital emergency care, disaster medicine, EMS systems development, medical education, and quality improvement.

Dr. Nason completed her Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident and demonstrated a commitment to resident education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational excellence. Throughout her training, she developed a strong interest in the integration of prehospital and hospital-based emergency care, working closely with EMS agencies on education, protocol development, and quality improvement initiatives.
Her interest in disaster medicine and EMS was shaped by early personal experiences with natural disasters and strengthened through participation in disaster response efforts, EMS field experiences, and scholarly work within emergency medicine. She has delivered educational lectures on disaster medicine and remains committed to advancing evidence-based prehospital care while fostering collaboration between EMS professionals and emergency physicians.
Dr. Nason's academic interests include disaster preparedness, EMS medical direction, rural emergency care, operational medicine, and systems-based approaches to improving patient outcomes. Her long-term career goals are centered on disaster management, with aspirations to serve on a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) while contributing to the advancement of EMS systems through education, research, leadership, and advocacy. Through her work, she hopes to strengthen the resilience of emergency care systems and improve outcomes for patients and communities during both everyday emergencies and large-scale disasters.

Dalton Stewart is a Critical Care Flight Paramedic with Pafford Air One, providing advanced prehospital and critical care transport across Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Since entering EMS in 2017, he has gained experience in ground EMS, field supervision, clinical education, and helicopter emergency medical services.

Dr. Michael Seymour, is a Singing River Health System board-certified emergency staff physician (since July of 1999) who also serves Pafford Emergency Medical Services as its medical director for all air and ground divisions of the company in AR, MS and LA.

Dr. Seymour began his career in medicine in 1992 when he attended medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He graduated from the program in 1996. He achieved his residency in emergency medicine at Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge in 1996-1999.  In addition to serving Pafford EMS as its medical director, Dr. Seymour also serves as medical director for Baptist LifeFlight in Alabama and Mississippi.

Dr. Seymour is a board-certified emergency physician by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is licensed to practice medicine in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  He also holds credentials as an ALS instructor. Dr. Seymour works closely with the Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana Departments of Health/EMS offices and regularly offers these policy-making and regulatory offices feedback as well as his recommendations for EMS protocols and protocol updates. 

Kara Lane Nowell, DO is an emergency medicine physician at Ochsner Rush Health in Meridian, Mississippi. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a three-year Emergency Medicine residency at LSU Health Shreveport, where she trained at the region’s only Level I Trauma Center.
Dr. Nowell has dedicated her career to providing high-quality emergency and trauma care in both urban and rural settings. In addition to her clinical practice, she recently accepted the role of Medical Director for Ochsner Rush Health’s Critical Access Hospitals in Mississippi, where she is committed to advancing patient care, supporting rural healthcare teams, and improving access to emergency services across the region.
Drawing on her frontline experience in trauma and emergency medicine, Dr. Nowell is passionate about education, evidence-based practice, and strengthening systems of care for patients experiencing critical illness and injury.

Steve White is a nationally known speaker on leadership, leadership development, strategic planning, and performance improvement. He has over thirty years in public safety, and has held chief officer ranks in both fire and EMS departments to include chief of department. He has also been active in public policy, having served two terms on Governor appointed boards. He currently serves as EMS Chief for Lifeguard Ambulance and is the Director of the Leadership Readiness Project. He holds a Master's in Public Administration with a post graduate certificate in Performance Improvement. He holds numerous awards, including being twice recognized by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for leadership excellence. He is a dynamic presenter who focuses on improving leadership at the individual and organizational levels. He has spent his career helping organizations align intent with practical objectives.