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Building a Postive & Resilient Team Culture

April 21, 2026
9:30 am –
10:20 am
Meeting Room 104-105
Tracks: Shift Dynamics


This module examines how leadership behavior directly impacts morale, engagement, and burnout in EMS teams. Participants learn strategies to build trust, foster psychological safety, recognize contributions, and support mental health in high-stress environments. The focus is on practical, everyday actions supervisors can take to strengthen team culture.

Speakers:

Ron Quaranto
Ron Quaranto
Regional Vice President
Acadian Ambulance Service

A native of Massachusetts, Ron has been in the EMS industry for 34 years. He was recently named vice president of Acadian Ambulance Service with responsibilities in Acadian's central Texas, north Texas and south-central Texas areas. Prior to joining Acadian, Ron served as executive vice president of operations for Cataldo Ambulance Service, and he has worked with Brewster Ambulance Service, Call9 and AMR over the years. Ron...

Michael Kaduce
Michael Kaduce
Director
Falck Health Institute

Michael Kaduce, MPS, NRP is the Director of the Falck Health Institute, where he leads national and international initiatives focused on EMS initial education, continuing education, and research. In this role, he oversees the development of innovative education programs designed to strengthen workforce readiness, clinical excellence, and evidence-based practice across prehospital systems. Michael previously served as the EMT Program Director at the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care within the David Geffen...

Elisabeth Handgraaf
Elisabeth Handgraaf
Deputy Director of Operations
Bell Ambulance

Elisabeth “Lis” Handgraaf began her career with Bell Ambulance in 2015 as a Paramedic and earned her Critical Care Paramedic license later that year. She became a Field Training Officer in 2016, was promoted to ALS Supervisor in 2018, and after leading the Education and Training Department as Coordinator since 2021, she was promoted to Deputy Director in 2025. As Deputy Director, Lis leads a talented team of Educators and Field...