The EMS Educator

What Happened to You? Trauma-Informed Care for EMS Clinicians

What if we began asking patients “what happened to you?” instead of “what’s wrong with you?” This mindset shift exemplifies the principles behind trauma-informed care. DCFEMS Behavioral Health Coordinator Ronit Reguer once again joins hosts Maia Dorsett, Hilary Gates and Rob Lawrence for a powerful, practical conversation on trauma-informed care.  They discuss how this approach can improve both patient outcomes and provider wellness. Drawing on clinical experiences, EMS education, and real-world applications, you’ll hear a deep dive into how trauma affects patient behavior, the importance of recognizing individual agency during care, and how to build trauma-informed principles into EMS training.  Whether you’re an EMS educator, clinician, or student, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach to care—and inspire meaningful change.

Mentioned in the episode:

SAMHSA's Trauma-informed Approach: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/trauma-violence/trauma-informed-approaches-programs

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748

What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey https://a.co/d/72CItzf

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

True EMS Competence: The Goal of Recertification

How should we best acquire medical knowledge and skills so that we can easily retrieve and effectively use them in the field? Now that we are past the stressful March 31st recert deadline, hosts Maia Dorsett, Hilary Gates and Rob Lawrence delve into the issues surrounding EMS recertification and continuing education. Special guest Ethan Setnik, Chief Technology Officer at Prodigy EMS, offers unique insights into the design of learning from his perspective as a system engineer. 

We know that the typical last-minute rush to recertify isn’t the most effective approach to learning, so listen and be inspired by evidence-based strategies for better knowledge retention. We discuss effortful retrieval, spaced repetition, and interleaving to enhance learning and improve clinical practice. Ethan shares insights about the ways technology and system design can support continuous competency and self-directed learning, moving beyond simply “checking the box” to fostering a meaningful educational journey for EMS clinicians.

Mentioned in the episode:

The graph of recert volume at Prodigy EMS: https://postimg.cc/6T7ShPYB

"Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning" https://a.co/d/0n5zMCr

Learning by Scientific Design: https://www.deansforimpact.org/tools-and-resources/learning-by-scientific-design

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

The Museum of Modern Airway: How the Protected Airway Collaborative Cultivates Joy in Learning

Does your classroom have a joyful buzz? Jonathan St. George has it figured out--as the founder of the Protected Airway Collaborative (PAC), Jonathan was inspired by a museum visit to create a learning environment like no other. Join us as we dive into his innovative world of airway management education.  Prodigy EMS team members Maia Dorsett and Shane O'Donnell report from the PAC as they experienced the self-directed learning approach firsthand.  Listen to their interviews with Jace Mullen and Andrew Merelman, and learn how to enhance your instructional delivery through this pioneering educational format.

Mentioned in the episode:

Protected Airway Collaborative: https://theprotectedairway.com/

Flipped Classroom: https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/flipped-classrooms

Self Directed Learning: https://www.self-directed.org/sde/

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

The Patient Perspective: EMS’s Best Teacher

What if the best EMS educators weren’t clinicians, but patients themselves? In this episode, hosts Hilary Gates and Maia Dorsett welcome sudden cardiac arrest survivor Nova McCarthy and medical director Alicia Bond for an insightful discussion on how patient experiences can enhance EMS education. Nova describes her experience as a keynote speaker and explores the power of patient-centered learning. She details powerful moments from her near-death experience, including the compassion and kind words of the EMS clinicians who cared for her.  Listen in to discover how EMS providers can learn directly from those they serve—gaining deeper empathy, refining communication, and improving decision-making in high-stakes moments.  This conversation challenges traditional training methods and offers an innovative take on EMS education. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Heartsight

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation

Trauma Survivors Network

Near Death Experiences

Email Alicia Bond: jcemsmedical@gmail.com

Email Nova McCarthy: mccarthynova@gmail.com

State of Jefferson EMS Conference

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

This podcast is sponsored by EMS Gives Life.  Would you consider becoming a living organ donor? For more info visit www.emsgiveslife.org

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

Trauma Stewardship: Caring for the Caregivers in EMS

How do EMS clinicians process the trauma they witness daily—and how can they be better supported? In this episode of The EMS Educator podcast, hosts Rob Lawrence, Hilary Gates and Maia Dorsett explore the critical topic of trauma stewardship with guest Ronit Reguer, the first behavioral health coordinator for DC Fire and EMS. Together, they unpack the challenges of emotional resilience, the importance of proactive mental health care, and the cultural shifts shaping the future of first responder support. Ronit shares her experiences implementing innovative wellness initiatives, from peer support programs to “Wellness Wednesdays,” and offers powerful insights on addressing trauma before it leads to burnout. Whether you’re an EMS clinician, educator, or leader, this episode delivers vital lessons on fostering a culture of care that ensures long and meaningful careers as well as healthy humans.

Mentioned in the episode:

Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky

https://traumastewardship.com/inside-the-book/

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

This podcast is sponsored by EMS Gives Life.  Would you consider becoming a living organ donor? For more info visit www.emsgiveslife.org

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

Building Excellence in EMS Credentialing

Want more advice about how to effectively create EMS credentialing programs for your learners? In the latest episode of the EMS Educator Podcast, join hosts Rob Lawrence, Hilary Gates, and Maia Dorsett for a dynamic conversation with guests Dr. Jeremy Cushman and Shane O’Donnell. They dive into the intricacies of their successful educational program that trains EMS clinicians for specialty care transport (SCT). Jeremy and Shane discuss how to conduct needs assessments, perform gap analyses, and build learner-centered education models tailored to your system’s unique demands. From psychomotor skill validation to fostering clinical acumen, this episode offers actionable insights for EMS educators and leaders. Whether you’re refining an existing program or starting from scratch, this episode is packed with lessons and strategies to enhance EMS education and elevate patient care.

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

This podcast is sponsored by EMS Gives Life.  Would you consider becoming a living organ donor? For more info visit www.emsgiveslife.org

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

Saving Lives Through Community Education

How should EMS educators expand their reach beyond the classroom? Prodigy's new Associate Medical Director of Pediatrics Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP shares her profound dedication to public health education and CPR training in Pittsburgh’s community and beyond. Join hosts Rob Lawrence, Hilary Gates, and Maia Dorsett as they discuss Sylvia's life-saving training of University of Pittsburgh athletes to discussing her global initiatives, including her impactful work in Ghana. The hosts highlight critical disparities in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest responses and emphasize the importance of community-specific interventions. This episode explores how educators can expand their reach and provides practical insights for anyone aiming to become a force multiplier in public health. Listen in for inspiration and actionable tips to foster life-saving skills within your community.

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

Bonus content: Rob interviews Jon Needle, Community Response Manager of the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust about the unique ways that our friends across the pond leverage their community members.

Mentioned in the episode:

Pitt Center for Cardiac Arrest Survival

Ellie Breech saves her father's life with CPR

Damar Hamlin's 3 for Heart Challenge

Akoma United

Disparities in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest 

East of England Ambulance

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

This podcast is sponsored by EMS Gives Life.  Would you consider becoming a living organ donor? For more info visit www.emsgiveslife.org

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube & IG.

 

The Education of Ginger Locke

Ginger Locke, newly-minted Prodigy teammate and host of the "Medic Mindset" podcast joins The EMS Educator podcast as co-host. She highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute." We then dive into Ginger's EMS origin story and her ideas about the future of EMS education. Alongside Hilary Gates, Rob Lawrence, and Maia Dorsett, Ginger explores key aspects of creating a positive learning environment in EMS education. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of EMS education, being a learner in our information-rich environment, data-driven customization of continuing education (CE), and the integration of new tools and technologies into practice.

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

This podcast is sponsored by EMS Gives Life.  Would you consider becoming a living organ donor? For more info visit www.emsgiveslife.org

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube & IG.

Engineering Belonging in EMS

What is belonging? Why is this critical for learning? In this episode, hosts Rob Lawrence and Dr. Maia Dorsett welcome expert guests, Dan Batsie, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety for the State of Vermont; Dr. Heather Davis, Director of Assessment, UCLA School of Medicine, also taskforce chair of the IDEA Taskforce; and Ginger Locke, Prodigy’s newest team member (also Associate Professor of EMS Professions at Austin Community College).

Collectively they discuss the essential role that belonging plays in education, professional development, and organizational culture. Tune in to explore how to create inclusive environments that encourage connection, trust, and teamwork.

We also took a moment to honor and congratulate Prodigy’s Medical Director, Dr. Dorsett on being recognized as the NAEMT EMS Medical Director of the Year 2024. We couldn’t be more proud of Maia on this achievement.  

Resources

IDEA for EMS: The IDEA Task Force was created to identify actionable ways to prevent and eliminate systemic racism and inequality and promote diversity and inclusion in the EMS community, including the National Registry. The Task Force is comprised of representatives from the EMS community and is led by the Chair of the National Registry of EMTs Board of Directors. Visit: Home | IDEA for EMS

Preceptor Training Videos: Prodigy is excited to release this series of preceptor videos in partnership with the NREMT IDEA taskforce. These are free for you to use in your own preceptor training. These videos are intended to be used as part of your preceptor training or education program. We will continue to release more videos on this page as they become available. If you are using them in your own training, please give credit to Prodigy EMS and the NREMT IDEA task force. Videos should be used in whole and not edited. Visit: https://marketing.prodigyems.com/preceptor-nremt

NAEMT EMS Medical Director of the Year Award:  Maia Dorsett, MD, PhD, Rochester, New York 2024, sponsored by Bound Tree. Visit: https://www.naemt.org/docs/default-source/media-docs/naemt-press-releases/2024/2024-national-ems-awards-of-excellence-recipients-8-17-24v2.pdf?sfvrsn=6b6bf193_3

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

This podcast is sponsored by EMS Gives Life.  Would you consider becoming a living organ donor? For more info visit www.emsgiveslife.org

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube & IG.

 

Cultivating EMS Educators: The Role of Mentorship

In this episode, we dive into the intersecting worlds of EMS education and mentorship with guest Jonathan Jenkins, a seasoned EMS educator.

As a surprise, we’re also joined by Mike Taigman, a renowned expert in EMS and healthcare improvement and mentor to many. Together, they explore the critical role of mentorship in developing new EMS educators, sharing insights, personal stories, and practical advice.

Whether you're an aspiring EMS educator or a seasoned professional, tune in for this conversation on the power of mentorship for EMS educators.

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform.

This podcast is sponsored by EMS Gives Life.  Would you consider becoming a living organ donor? For more info visit www.emsgiveslife.org

Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks!

Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com  Follow @ProdigyEMS on Twitter, FB, YouTube & IG.