Magical Destinations By Steve Podcast

Episode 207 is Tom Cox. Tom has worked in one capacity, or another in the fire and EMS industry for over 33 years. In 1976, at the ripe age of 22, he led the drive to establish a rescue squad in his hometown and became its first EMS Chief. We talk about how an injury to his back led him into medical sales and the Director of Training for Ferno. Tom is here to talk about his career and his involvement in the launch of a revolutionary virtual reality training system by VRpatients. It’s the first VR medical training program solely focused on EMS.  Listen to how VRpatients may take EMS training to a new level of training and education for EMS providers.

Episode 206 is Elizabeth Fields. Elizabeth is the Chief Operating Officer for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Elizabeth has over 20 years of non-profit leadership that includes NPR and the University of Pennsylvania before joining the Gary Sinise Foundation. Elizabeth, as you will hear is passionate about the Foundation as well as her career in non-profit leadership. Elizabeth discusses the keys to being a leader in the non-profit world. Elizabeth takes us on a journey inside the Gary Sinise Foundation from the start to the important programs, grant awards, and the work performed by this amazing organization. If you want to learn more or become involved with the Foundation go to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org.

Episode 205 is Dov Maisel. Dov is making his return to Medic2Medic to talk about how United Hatzalah located in Israel and their response to COVID-19. We are focus on the American response to the virus, we hear about other Countries, but how is EMS working this pandemic in Israel? Dov provides us with an inside look at the response. Dov is the Senior Vice President of International Operations for Untied Hatzalah, a Paramedic and wears many other hats in the EMS world. We learn how the 6000 United Hatzalah EMS volunteers are responding to the COVID-19 as well as their wellbeing during this crisis. Coronavirus hits close to home to this organization and you will want to hear the story and the outcome. 

Episode 204 is Dr. Peter Antevy and Captain Adrian Castro. Peter and Adrian join me this week to talk about how EMS can help bring closure to a family of a child who has died. The topic stems from an article and podcast this past January from EMS World. Adrian talks about a call that he and his Palm Beach County Florida crew responded to were Adrian had to make a decision not to resuscitate a child. What he did that day made the world of difference to the parents. Peter explains the rationale and reasons that the decision Adrian made was right. Adrian takes through his thought process and the discussion he had with his crews after the call. Peter also talks about the results of a study that asks what parents want after the death of their child. The answers may surprise you. Peter is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician and the Associate Medical Director for several South Florida agencies. Peter is also the creator of the Handtevy APP used by numerous EMS organizations. Adrian is Captain and EMS Supervisor for Palm Beach County Florida. 

Episode 203 is Madison Rivard. Madison and I chat about her research paper on EMS Workers working 2 jobs and overtime. It is an interesting topic and Madison provides new twists to the subject. This is the reason I invited her on the podcast. We also talked about the Coranvirus as Madison has a passion for public health as well as a Masters in the subject. Madison offers her thoughts on the matter and provides helpful hints to the EMS and public safety world. Madison grew up in Massachusetts and studied public health at Simmons University in Boston. She worked as an EMT for Fallon Ambulance while in school. After graduating in 2017, she seized an opportunity and moved to Columbus, OH to work as an EMS Research Fellow at the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. After graduating in December 2019, she has moved back to Boston, MA and is working for South Shore Health EMS, while actively searching for public health programs and research opportunities. Enjoy the podcast. 

Episode 202: Sometimes there is a need for inspiration. The podcast this week features Kevin Hines. Kevin is a survivor. Kevin is one of 39 people that have jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and lived to tell his story. Kevin is a storyteller at heart. He is a best selling author, global public speaker, and award winning documentary filmmaker. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival including a sea lion. Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope, healing, and recovery while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness & the ability to survive pain with true resilience. Listen to this fast paced podcast and be inspired.

Episode 201 is Jason Patton. If you have never seen Fire Department Chronicles on your favorite social media platform, you are missing out. Jason is a 12-year Firefighter/Paramedic. He started Fire Department chronicles in 2016 to bring laughter to his fellow brothers and sisters. Jason has become very passionate about first responder mental health and creating change in the way we look at treating mental health in First Responders. We chat about all of the above, coffee,  and you will hear the passion that Jason has for the profession and the ability to make you laugh.

Episode 200: Jake Jones is a Paramedic in the UK and has written a book called "Can You Hear Me" Jake Jones is his penned name and we discuss why he uses a pseudonym. EMS is Jake's second career. Why choose EMS? Jake answers this question and the reason why he chose EMS. Jake provides an insider look into EMS in the UK with this book. Each Episode (Chapters) in the book provides the reader with intimate details, challenges and the reality of the job. The book is not available in the United States as of this airing. The book is available via the publisher Quercus.Note: This is Medic2Medic Podcast's 200 Episode. The little podcast has allowed me to explore, meet new friends and colleagues, present at a national conference, learn, and hopefully entertain and provide a voice for those in this great profession of EMS and Public Safety.  I want to thank my family, Cary Area EMS, guests, listeners, and the EMS Podcast Community for the support. I am humbled and grateful. Keep listening. 

Episode 199 is Greg Howard. Greg is the Director of Sales for emsCharts. Greg has over 15 years dedicated to the improvement of healthcare through data. Greg is also from Pittsburgh and we got to talk about our early careers in Pittsburgh and how our paths are very similar. We talk about his path in EMS, emsCharts start, and EMS data and what we should be using the data for. 

I am home recovering from rotator surgery. The other day I was lucky to catch the first 2 episodes of Emergency!. I got to thinking about that pioneering show. As I was listening to the politician try to convince Dr. Bracket to testify and called him a pioneer of Emergency Medicine. In this re-podcast, I had the honor to talk with a pioneer of EMS and Emergency Medicine Dr. Ron Stewart. I am double lucky as he was one of my medical directors and mentors in my career. I am humbled that I have had 2 guests connected to the show Emergency (Randolph Mantooth is #30) on Medic2Medic. Dr. Stewart played a key role in the show as you will hear as well as many accomplishments in EMS and Emergency Medicine. 

Episode 198 is Curt Varone. Curt has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 years as a practicing attorney. Curt retired after 29 years as a Deputy Assistant Chief. Our discussion surrounds the arming of firefighters. Besides this hot topic, we talk about his career, his two books he wrote, and being an attorney.

Episode 197 is Safe Call Now. Michael Maini and Dan Phillips are part of this Peer Support driven program. Michael and Dan have extensive law enforcement experience and each has their own story that leads them to Safe Call Now.  Safe Call Now is a confidential comprehensive 24-Hour crisis referral service for all public safety professionals and their families. Michael and Dan discuss their careers, own battles, the start of Safe Call Now and why this crisis line is different. If you need to talk to someone you can call Safe Call Now at 206-459-3020

Episode 196 is Eric Chase. Eric's story is a fascinating one that has helped him to find his joy in life. His path through the Army, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and EMS is just part of the story. After having a heart attack in his 30s to suffering a cardiac arrest a few years later and how he bounced back from obstacles is worth the listen. Find out how he did this and found his joy that led to the creation of EMSIMPROV.

Mental health and wellbeing of EMS, Police, Firefighters, and Telecommunicators continues to be a subject that we either talk about or ignore. The public safety arena is making small inroads.  Here is a re-podcast of Dan DeGryse who is making a difference. Episode 104: Chief Dan DeGryse from the Chicago Fire Department joins the podcast this week. Chief DeGryse has 28 years with CFD and holds the rank as Battalion Chief/EMT. What is unique about Chief DeGryse is that he is the Director of the Rosecrance Florian Program. Rosecrance is a leading provider of behavioral health services with nationally recognized addiction treatment programs. Rosecrance is a place for veterans and public safety providers can go to who needs help. The Chief shares his start at CFD and his career path. He shares his personal story and how that led him to become the Coordinator of the Chicago Firefighters' Union Local 2 Employee Assistance Program for 14 years. You will hear during our conversation the importance of firefighter and EMS mental health, emotional wellbeing, peer support, and sleeping. We have too many of our public safety family committing suicide or not seeking help, Chief DeGryse is here to help, just give him a call.

Episode 195: David LaCombe is the Vice President of Prehospital Programs at Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) a partnership between the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical.  David worked in Emergency Medical Services for 25 years as a paramedic, educator, and senior leader.  David is leading a breakthrough effort to double survival from witnessed out of hospital cardiac arrest. We discuss David's passion for cardiac arrest survival, partnerships, Resuscitation Academies, RQI, and how he became involved in EMS.