Magical Destinations By Steve Podcast

Episode 263 is John Moon and Kevin Hazzard. It was my honor to have both John and Kevin on Medic2Medic to talk about Kevin's new book Ambulance Sirens: The story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics. It was a double honor as I had a chance to catch up with John, as I worked for John when I was a young medic for the City of Pittsburgh. We talk about John's path into EMS, Freedom House, to retire as an Assistant Chief. Kevin writes a compelling story about John and Freedom House. Kevin is making his second appearance on the podcast and talks about his inspiration to write this book. 

Episode 262 is Dr. Marvin Wayne. Marv, as he is liked to be called, joins me for his 2nd appearance.on Medic2Medic. Do you know how the AED was invented? Do you know where it came from? Where was the first out of the hospital use of an AED? What did the New England Journal of Medicine think of the AED? Marv answers all these questions and more on the history of the AED and EMS in Whatcom County. Marv is a pioneer and leader in the world of EMS and Emergency Medicine. Marv will be a presenter in Orlando at EMS World Expo in October, so stop by and hear this legend.

Episode 261 is Jennifer Russell and Josh Bennett. Jennifer and Josh are the founders of the EMS Consulting Firm Protego Critical Communications Consultants (PC3). They started PC3 because they both recognized that the current trajectory of the EMS system is not sustainable. Jennifer has 33 years of EMS and fire experience, is an educator, and is currently working in her spare time on dual Master's Degrees. Josh has an MBA and has been involved in the tech world for many years. Josh has worked with nonprofits and worked on the Amazon retention study. Both Jennifer and Josh have Pittsburgh roots, which we chat about. Jennifer drops a few names that bring a big smile to my face. We talk about the problems in EMS and how PC3 may help solve them.  

Episode 260: You are on an airplane. You hear over the intercom, is there a medical professional on board, please identify yourself. I am joined by Dr. Christian Martin-Gill to answer questions about inflight emergencies. Chris serves as Chief of the Division of EMS, EMS Fellowship Director, and is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He also serves as a Medical Command Physician at the UPMC Medical Communications Center, which provides ground-based medical support for national and international commercial airlines. Dr. Martin-Gill has extensive experience in managing in-flight medical emergencies (IMEs). We talk about the kits, liability, and decisions. Do you know what the most common IME is? Chris answers this question as well as who he would like to have lunch with and his favorite movie. 

Episode 259 is Dan Schwester. Dan has been a paramedic since June 2000. He has served in a variety of roles, including education, field training, clinical supervision, and active practice as a paramedic He is the Managing Partner of Overrun Productions, LLC, and a co-host of The Overrun Podcast. Our conversation includes Dan's insightful article Toxic Heroism: The Perfect Storm in EMS Recruitment.  We also discuss Emergency!, Overrun Productions, podcasting, and much more. 

Episode 258 is Jamie Pafford-Gresham. As President and CEO of Pafford Medical Services, Inc., company co-owner, Jamie declares the vision, mission, culture and image for Pafford Medical Services’ leaders, managers, supervisors, and employees. By so doing, Jamie has defined a brand promise for treating customers and end-users with competence and compassion or like members of an extended"Pafford family”. We talk about the family business, how Pafford got its start, Jamie's passion for EMS, and her leadership role with the American Ambulance Association. We sneak in a little bit about travel and Alaska.

After the tragedy at Robb Elementary, I thought I would replay my conversation with Scarlett Lewis. Scarlett's son Jesse was at Sandy Hook and Scarlett relives that day with me and see where it has led her. Episode 166 is Scarlett Lewis and a different podcast for you and me. Scarlett is the mom of Jesse Lewis who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting 6 years ago. That day in December Jesse alongside 19 classmates and six educators lost their lives in a mass shooting. ‪Scarlett takes us through that tragic day from sending Jesse to school, leaving work after hearing about the shooting, arriving back at the school, the meeting place for the parents with missing children, which was a firehouse. Scarlett provides intimate details of this as well as Jesse, JT (Jesse's older brother) and insight to the Sandy Hook community. We also learn how forgiveness and love play an important role in her life today. A message left behind by Jesse would lead to the Choose Love Enrichment Program founded by Scarlett. The Choose Love Enrichment Program is a no-cost Pre-K through 12th grade social and emotional learning program that teaches educators and their students how to choose love in any circumstance and helps them become connected, resilient, and empowered individuals. You will want to hear her story and how inspirational Scarlett and the Choose Love Movement are.

Episode 257 is the ESO EMS Index with Brent Myers, Remle Crowe, and Tony Fernandez. We take an inside look at the Index and answer a few questions about the process and what is EMS data? To have the three guests on the podcast for this discussion and to provide their expertise as well as to take a peek into the future of EMS data was an honor. It also gave me a chance to catch up with Brent and Remle as they continue to return to the podcast as regulars. 

Episode 256 is Christy Warren. Christy is a retired Fire Captain from the Berkeley (California) Fire Department. She has twenty-five years of service as a professional paramedic, with seventeen years as a professional firefighter. Christy shares her amazing journey with us and her battle with PTSD. Christy talks about her suicidal thoughts and what started her recovery. Christy is candid about her struggles and you want to hear her story. When Christy is not swimming from Alcatraz, Christy is the host of the podcast The Firefighter Deconstructed.

Episode 255 is Executive Director Jeff Kelly and Chief Josh Worth from Medical Rescue Team South Authority (MRTSA). Both have extensive EMS experience as providers, educators, and leaders, as you will hear in the podcast. Both were born in the Pittsburgh area with strong Western PA EMS ties came to MRTSA in 2021 to bring a new direction to the organization. Jeff and Josh talk about the roles, changes, leadership, and the pride they have in MRTSA. You will also hear how they make a good team leading MRTSA into the future.

Episode 254 is Roy Cox. Roy retired from the City of Pittsburgh EMS after 41 years in 2018. Roy was one of my Training Officers when I was hired by the City of Pittsburgh. We talk about Roy's extraordinary career with the City, a few stories are told, we drop a few names, the importance of EMS education and degrees. Roy talks about surviving a helicopter crash and how being a flight medic ties back to his best friend, his dad.

Episode 253 is Dov Maisel. Dov is the Co-founder & Director of Operations at United Hatzalla of Israel. He is an inventor, innovator, public speaker, podcaster, and expert in disaster management. Dov is making a repeat appearance on Medic2Medic. We catch up and talk about United Hatzalla, and their response to Covid, Surfside Condimuimn collapse, and his new podcast Real Life Rescues on the JEMS platform. I found out Medic2Medic was Dov's first podcast and (you can see the picture on Medic2Medic's FB page) that Dov has the Medic2Medic exclusive mug in his office. 

Episode 252 is Steven Nelson. Steven is currently a licensed paramedic with Harris County Emergency Corps, a 911 EMS agency in Houston, Texas, Steven is the author of the article in JEMS "My Experience As a Black Paramedic". After his time as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy, Steven went on to obtain undergraduate degrees in EMS, his master’s degree in healthcare administration, and is currently working towards completing his doctorate. We talk about the article, his Navy career, entrance into EMS, struggles, and how he overcame them. We talk about strategies on how EMS can attract more African Americans into EMS

Episode 251 is Mike Davis. After 10 plus years in the Army, Mike started his EMS career at Cary Area EMS. Mike also has an entrepreneurial spirit, which led him to start his business Guardians Nutrition & Fitness. Guardians Nutrition & Fitness serves frontline workers and military clients in reaching their weight loss and fitness goals. Mike takes us on his journey from moving around the world as a kid, military,  EMS careers, and his new venture. We talk about fitness and mental health, and they interact. To learn more about MIke's business, head to https://www.guardiansnutritionandfitness.com/ and on Instagram @guardians.nutrition.

Episode 250 is Rickquel Tripp, MD MPH. Rikki is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, EMS faculty, and Medical Director of 4 different EMS agencies in the Pittsburgh area. She has chaired the Networking Committee of the Physician Inclusion Council of Pitt and UPMC (PICUP) for 5 years and now serves as the first Vice-Chair of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion of UPMC Graduate Medical Education and first Vice-Chair Diversity, Health Equity, & Inclusion of Department of Emergency Medicine. She is Vice-Chair of NAEMSP's Diversity in EMS Task Force. Rikki and I talk about her medical and military career path, medical school selection, and diversity and inclusion in EMS. Rikki shares her stories and experiences and offers tips on how EMS can improve with diversity within the workforce.