Making Mentorship Programs Meaningful

April 22, 2024

2:00 pm –

2:50 pm

Tracks: Hot Topics, Operations, Workforce & HR

Last year, the American Ambulance Association’s Workforce Committee released the Mentorship Guide for EMS. This guide is intended to serve as a framework for organizational leaders who see the critical role that mentor programs play in the development of the future leaders of EMS organizations. Mentorship programs are associated with higher retention for both the mentees and mentors. The panel discussion will explore the experiences of both mentors and mentees as they implement and participate in mentor/mentee relationships. The panel will share the unexpected hurdles they encountered and common challenges they experience with establishing and nurturing a mentor/mentee relationship. Our panel members will provide insight on what qualities they believe a successful mentor possess, the best way to identify and set mentor program goals, and how they define a successful mentor/mentee relationship. Lastly, the panel will offer the best practices associated with successful mentorship programs.

Speakers:

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...

Chase Hodges
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance

Chase started off as a wheelchair van driver over 16 years ago when he got his first look into EMS at Superior. Chase then went on to become an EMT, dispatcher, lead instructor, Director of Education, and now the General Manager of Illinois Operations. As General Manager, Chase has been instrumental in reshaping the culture of EMS at Superior Ambulance. Chase has been at the forefront alongside the executive team at...

Ben Wasmund
Lakes Region EMS

Ben Wasmund has been the Director of Operations at Lakes Region EMS since 2011. Prior to becoming the director, he held numerous roles within this organization including, EMT, Paramedic, Field Lead, Supervisor and Manager. Ben has more than 24 years of diverse experience in emergency medical services and has held positions in EMS operations in both paid and volunteer EMS organizations. He began his career in a small rural BLS...

Gene Bradley

Gene Bradley is the EMS Chief of the Atchison-Holt Ambulance District, an ALS Super Rural Provider in Northwest Missouri. Gene has been involved in EMS for over 39 years. He has held a variety of positions over those thirty-plus years. Gene has been a field Paramedic for busy urban services and for the last 25 years has been working in administrative positions for rural and super-rural services. In 2004 he helped introduce...