Year: 2025

Tom Maxian brings 40 years of clinical and leadership experience to his role as National President of Ground and Support Operations.  Before serving five years as Northeast Region president, Maxian served as Regional Director of GMR’s Buffalo-Niagara operation.  Maxian also led successful AMR operations in Ohio, Washington State and South Dakota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Buffalo State University, where he earned membership in the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society and Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society.  Maxian is a magna cum laude graduate of the University at Buffalo Law School and served as note and comment editor of the Buffalo Law Review.  He also earned his MBA with Distinction from the University at Buffalo School of Management and was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society. Maxian is still active as a paramedic and is admitted to practice law in New York. He was AMR’s 2014 Regional Director of the Year and in 2018, his final year as a Regional Director, led AMR’s Buffalo-Niagara operation to Business Unit of the Year honors.  Maxian also received the Wyoming-Erie Regional EMS Council Leadership Award in 2017.  In his current role, Maxian oversees GMR Fleet and Communications Center operations, facilities and fuel systems, and GMR’s ePCR platforms.

As the President of Global Medical Response for the Pacific Region, Sean oversees air and ground emergency medical services, ensuring strategic direction and leadership for operations across California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. With nearly four decades of dedicated service in EMS and healthcare, his focus has been to uphold the excellence and integrity of GMR, driven by a profound commitment to patient care and transport.

Sean’s career is marked by an enduring dedication to providing high-quality medical services to those in need, informed by extensive experience that has cultivated a deep empathy and understanding of patient care and community needs.

From his early days at REACH, where Sean began as a Flight Paramedic and Respiratory Care Practitioner, he has been instrumental in expanding the service from a single base to a network of over 50 locations, serving as President of REACH for ten years, followed by the last 5 years where he has served as the GMR Pacific region President. This growth is a reflection of his roots in the organization and commitment to GMR’s mission.

His tenure at GMR has been marked by progressive leadership, showcasing his adaptability and growth in an ever-evolving EMS landscape. Sean’s belief in servant leadership has been key in forging authentic connections with colleagues and clients alike, fostering a workplace culture conducive to innovation and effective solutions.

Mr. Russell holds degrees in respiratory care, paramedicine and health care administration and has contributed to the industry through board memberships, including:

Sean is a founding member, past president of the CAL-Association Air Medical Services. And has also served on the National AAMS Medevac Foundation board as well as the California EMS Strategic Advisory Committee

Scott Helle is a Rural EMS Project Manager in the Kentucky Office of Rural Health, where he focuses on maintaining and fostering relationships with Kentucky’s rural EMS services.  He is a Certified Ambulance Coder, a Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer and has maintained being a Certified Kentucky EMT.  He has more than 30 years’ experience working in the pre-hospital EMS field in rural Kentucky communities. He is also heavily involved within Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Community Paramedicine (MIH/CP) EMS Workforce Development and EMS Leadership Development for Kentucky.

Tim Baughman has served as INDYCAR’s senior director of track safety and medical services since 2018, when his position became full time after he retired from the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Baughman brings 32 years of leadership experience to the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team from the Indianapolis Fire Department, where he worked his way through the ranks. Among his IFD positions, Baughman was Captain of a Special Rescue Station, Division Chief of Training, Chief of Operations, Division Chief of Planning, Deputy Chief of Administration and Assistant Chief.

As a paramedic student, Baughman was assigned to work at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to attend to sick and injured fans in the infield. This exposure, along with his natural interest in racing, led to Baughman staying involved in emergency medicine at IMS. In 1982, he worked as a paramedic in the garage area, pits and on a track ambulance. In 1992, he received an invitation to work on the IMS Track Safety Team.

In 1996, the INDYCAR Safety Team was established and started traveling to provide on-track rescue response on temporary street courses, permanent road courses short ovals and superspeedways. Very similar to the fire service, Baughman worked his way up from a rescue technician to a primary paramedic and then to a crew leader in 2012. He was awarded the Championship Driver’s Association Safety Award in 2010 for his continued contributions to driver rescue and safety.

In his current role, Baughman oversees the 40-person AMR INDYCAR Safety Team that travels to every INDYCAR SERIES race event to provide medical assistance to drivers, team personnel and fans at tracks.

Baughman also was one of the founders of the FEMA USAR Team-Indiana Task Force One. This team responded to multiple hurricanes, including Andrew and Katrina. Baughman retired from Indiana Task Force One following its deployment to the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Baughman was the safety officer on the night shift for the first 10 days following the attack.

Baughman was born and raised in Indianapolis. He attended Wabash College to study biology with a focus on a pre-med curriculum. While in college, he had an interest in emergency medicine and became an emergency medical technician. In 1983, he graduated from the Methodist Hospital paramedic program. Baughman later became a State of Indiana emergency medicine primary instructor and returned to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to teach emergency medicine.

Domenic Corey II works at the intersection of clinical medicine, EMS administration, and provider education. As Brewster’s Director of Innovation, Dom focuses on special projects that improve patient care and service delivery through novel approaches. Previously, he served as Director of Operations, overseeing more than 200,000 911 and IFT transports annually in MA, RI, and NH. He continues to practice per diem as a paramedic and front-line supervisor, and has fifteen years experience across urban and rural, 911 and IFT, BLS through critical care.

Faculty in Northeastern University’s Department of Public Health and Health Science and founder of NU’s EMT program, Dom is passionate about preparing budding healthcare providers to provide empathic care, grounded in stellar communication and understanding “why.” A triple-Husky, Dom recently completed a Graduate Certificate in AI Applications to upskill his Master of Public Health and BS in Health Science degrees from NU.

Dom believes successful leaders foster the growth of everyone around them- in the classroom and in the profession.

Patrick began his career as an EMT in 2008 and has since progressed through several key roles at Brewster Ambulance Service. From 2008 to 2016, he served as a Hospital Liaison, connecting his team with hospital partners and ensuring smooth ambulance operations. Patrick then took on the role of Director of Navigator Services, where he focused on building strong relationships with all accounts.

He then joined the operations team as the Regional Manager for Boston and Worcester, collaborating with colleagues to provide the best service possible. Currently, Patrick serves as the Vice President of Business Development, where he focuses on responsible growth while nurturing important relationships. He loves being engaged in the community and is dedicated to improving customer service and the overall patient experience at Brewster Ambulance Service.

Rob brings with him 11 years of research and facilitation experience as a college professor as well as a PhD in Communication – Organizational Training & Development. He also has worked with a variety of industries in multiple regions globally to facilitate both in-person trainings while also deploying eLearnings to further learning opportunities for staff.

Michael Kaduce, MPS, NRP is the director of the Falck Health Institute, where he leads the initial education initiatives for Falck. Michael began his EMS journey as an EMT in Iowa and later became a paramedic/firefighter for the Urbandale Fire Department. After four years, Michael became an EMS Educator at the University of Iowa, providing EMT and paramedic initial and continuing education. Michael then joined the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care at the David Geffen School of Medicine as the EMT program director, overseeing the country’s largest EMT education program for 6 years. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security and Public Health. Michael has been published on prehospital patient care and EMS educational best practices and serves as an author for the most widely used EMT and paramedic textbooks. Michael is the West Coast representative for the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Board of Directors and has taught NAEMT courses around the globe. Michael is also a research associate for the UCLA Prehospital Care Research Forum.

Matthew R. Streger is a paramedic and attorney with almost 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 actively serves as a Per-Diem EMT for the Cherry Hill Fire Department EMS in New Jersey.

Tyanie Gordon is an experienced clinical professional with over 20 years of passionate commitment to EMS and Disaster Medicine. Known for her intentionality, presence, and passion, Tyanie is a compassionate and driven leader who leverages her extensive patient care experience to inform all she does to lead career and industry initiatives across the nation.

Ms. Gordon is guided by her passionate commitment to advancing pre-hospital EMS through engaging executive leaders, corporate partners, and allied agencies to advocate for the advancement and continued improvement of the EMS industry and the professionals within. As a Nationally Registered and state-certified emergency Paramedic in Arizona and Texas, Tyanie also holds a Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Care and an associate degree in applied science in Paramedic Care.

Tyanie currently serves as the Clinical Director of Federal and National Programs at Global Medical Response (GMR) where she is the Medical Section Chief for their Office of Emergency Management in their National Command Center where she manages a robust disaster clinical and controlled substance program. With extensive national disaster response experience Tyanie has responded to numerous major disasters from hurricanes to wildfires and 100’s of federal COVID-19 missions spanning the nation. In doing so she has since led the implementation of the first ePCR solution and automated credentialing platforms for disaster response at GMR, spearheaded DHS COVID screening initiatives on our southern border and in our nation’s largest airports and forged new relationships with federal partners previously never engaged in EMS Disaster operations.

In her personal time, Tyanie enjoys with her children through swim team, baseball, and lacrosse and their shared passion for snowboarding, adventure, and the great outdoors.

Maripat Hodges is a seasoned healthcare leader. She currently is a Director of Programs at Global Medical Response, managing contract operations with healthcare alliances and our network program for disaster response. She began her healthcare career as an Advanced Practice Clinical Dietitian, specializing in oncology. She then moved into hospital administration overseeing the operations of the Parkland Health cancer clinics and infusion center.

Margaret Keavney, JD, MHA, practices law at Keavney & Streger, LLC, serving EMS providers and other healthcare professionals in New Jersey and Louisiana. A former paramedic and volunteer EMT, she attended law school and graduate school at Tulane University. Margaret served in the past on the CAAS Panel of Commissioners, the Board of the Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey, and the Ethics Committee of the American Ambulance Association. She currently serves on the Board of the American College of Paramedic Executives. She writes and lectures nationally on legal topics in EMS.

James Hadley brings more than 27 years of EMS experience to his role as Operations Coordinator at Life EMS Ambulance Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Starting his career in mobility and wheelchair transport, James earned his EMT license in 2002. He has since served on several planning committees, focusing on organizing medical coverage for community events. Known for his commitment and leadership, James prides himself on serving as an EMS ambassador.

Frank W. Nagorka lives in Chicago, Illinois where he actively practices law with a specialization in emergency services. He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and then The Ohio State University School of Law in Columbus, Ohio where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 1979. He has been admitted to practice law in Ohio and Illinois. He began his paramedic training in 1983 and has been a practicing paramedic since then.

Mr. Nagorka began his legal career with the City of Chicago, Office of Corporation Counsel. Initially he worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Appellate Division where he specialized in municipal appellate practice. After several years of experience in the Appellate Courts he transferred to the Torts Division where he litigated and tried significant
personal injury cases. More specifically, he specialized in the defense of the Chicago Fire Department and its Emergency Medical Services Bureau. Additionally, he handled numerous
leading cases in the United States that set out the liability for municipal 9-1-1 operations.

Following his nearly dozen years working for the city of Chicago, he entered private practice where he has specialized in medical malpractice and emergency services cases. National insurance carriers have retained Mr. Nagorka to defend EMS cases throughout the United States. He has been admitted pro hac vice in various jurisdictions where he has helped local counsel with his expertise in emergency medical services. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals appointed him amicus counsel for a case involving ambulance transport. He has served as an expert witness in emergency medical services cases throughout the United States. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

For more than twenty-five years, Mr. Nagorka has taught medical professionals about the law and how it can affect their professional lives. Besides teaching in the United States, he has taught at various seminars in the country of Brazil. He has also lectured to legal professionals on topics ranging from picking a jury to the use of the Internet in research.

He has written for various professional journals including Journal of Trauma, Annals of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services Magazine. Pulse Productions created a series of videos from his lectures.

Mr. Nagorka speaks fluent Spanish and has proficiency in Portuguese. He regularly works as a paramedic with an active law practice

Donna Hankins is the Director of the Billing Office at American Ambulance in Fresno, California. She has been in EMS over 25 years, specializing in revenue and technology. In 1999, Donna started in the Information Technology Department. She moved to the Billing Office in 2007 and began participating regularly in the California Ambulance Association events and conferences. In 2012, Donna was selected as the Payer Issues Chairperson for the California Ambulance Association. Donna is an active member of the ACE Faculty (Medicare Cost Reporting training) and In 2022 Donna was promoted from member to co-chair for the AAA Medicare Regulatory committee.

Donna is certified with her CAC, CAPO, and CAFO through the National Academy of Ambulance Compliance. Most recently, Donna returned to school to earn her Master’s in Business Administration in 2022. For the last 10 years, Donna has presented training and information to help Revenue offices large and small understand how to navigate the complex world of insurance and patient billing in topics ranging from compliance, collection practices, Insurance education, balance billing, and revenue education for operations and EMS agencies.

Carly is an experienced EMS leader, specializing in rural EMS systems development and management, tactical paramedic, EMS columnist and speaker.

AAA Board Member Chuck Kearns has been a licensed EMT and Paramedic since the early 1980s. In high school and college his hobby was building race car engines, transmissions and rear-ends and racing cars on weekends whenever possible. Chuck combines his automotive knowledge with decades of EMS experience to give some great ideas to secure your fleet and supplies along with ideas to save money on your fleet while minimizing downtime to keep your fleet in service.

Jerry Biggart is chair of the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Board, serving under the state’s last three Governors. He also chairs EMS and Education for the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin (PFFW), serves in Field Services for the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and sits on the Milwaukee County EMS Council.

With more than 31 years in fire-based EMS, Jerry has held roles as a Fire Lieutenant, Paramedic, and Assistant Fire Chief. He founded the Milwaukee Fire Department EMS Training Center, shaping the department’s education programs, and teaches paramedicine at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

A seasoned advocate, Jerry has spent more than a decade lobbying for Fire & EMS issues at the state and federal levels. He frequently speaks nationwide on advancing EMS, workforce challenges, and building essential relationships within the profession. Jerry holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Department Administration from Southern Illinois University but credits much of his knowledge to hard knocks and smart friends and colleagues.

With two decades of experience spanning front-line EMS operations to executive leadership, Brendan Cameron has established himself as a catalyst for change in EMS revenue cycle management. His journey from EMT to revenue cycle innovator provides unique insight into the challenges within EMS billing operations.

As a leader in revenue cycle optimization, Brendan transforms operations through innovative technology solutions and data-driven strategies. His expertise in combining operational knowledge with advanced analytics has helped organizations recover millions in lost revenue while modernizing their billing practices for the digital age. Through his commitment to innovation and problem-solving, he continues to develop transformative solutions that shape the future of EMS revenue cycle operations.