President—Elect
Jonathan Gryniuk
Albany Med FLIGHT / LifeNet
Address: 24 Sanford Place
City: Altamont
State: NY Zip:
12009
Home Telephone: (518) 861-7176
Work
Telephone: (518) 262-8800
NFPA Membership No.: Member since 7/95
Email: [email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have completed.)
_X_Associate___Baccalaureate___Master’s ___Doctorate _X__CCEMTP _X__FP-C
College or University granting highest degree: Manchester Community
College, Manchester, CT
Current Program: Albany Med FLIGHT / Life Net, Albany, NY
Position: Flight Paramedic
Former Program: Life Star, Hartford, CT
If elected to the designated office, I promise to serve the NFPA to the
best of my ability in the promotion of the mission of the association in the
best interest of paramedics.
Jonathan
Gryniuk
my name indicates my
acceptance
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
If I may paraphrase from a former US presidential candidate, "I'm running
for president of the National Flight Paramedics Association because I believe
that - with strong leadership - NFPA's days will always lie ahead of us. Just as
they lie ahead of us now." During my five-year tenure on the NFPA board I have
witnessed and participated in the leadership that has sculpted this association
into it's current strength. During that short time the NFPA has realized an
improved financial state, the near tripling of our membership, the introduction
of the long awaited and previously dismissed as "can't be done" flight paramedic
certification process, and creation of a separate Board to assure the continued
development of the examination process. Through my role as the CAMTS
representative, I successfully lobbied for inclusion and recognition of the FP-C
certification within the CAMTS Standards. As a board member I authored the
position paper defining the FP-C as a critical care provider and assured that
flight paramedics and the NFPA would receive due recognition of our
contributions to critical care transport in the soon to be released 3rd edition
of the Flight Nursing text.
While the association has certainly showed a positive development, I
would be less than honest to paint a picture of total NFPA bliss. The reality
is, the association remains in a perilous state. Financial security remains a
great threat as the operating expenses of the association increase without any
guaranteed source of income. This comes at the same time that we must direct
funding into the FP-C examination process in order to assure the exam's
continued quality and validity. Further, as we continue to align ourselves with
topics involving critical care flight paramedic practice we must plan for the
eventuality that we may need to fully embrace the ground critical care
providers. Without unified representation of both ground and flight providers we
may witness the formation of a division that can only serve to undermine the
critical care paramedic concept. With that said we must be mindful that the NFPA
was founded as an association for flight paramedics and assure that this unique
lineage is not brushed aside.
The leadership of past NFPA presidents has moved the association into a
position of strong respect within the industry and brings us to the brink of a
new horizon of potential growth and influence. The next several years will be of
paramount importance in ensuring that we are ready to meet the challenges of a
potentially bright future and that we do not allow our association to outgrow
our abilities to manage. I would ask that you consider electing me into the
presidency of the NFPA so that I may help to guide the board in a direction to
prepare for, embrace, and achieve our potential and insure that we have many
more days that will lie ahead of us.
President—Elect
Ronald W. Walter
STAT MedEvac
Address: 40 Corbett Drive
City: Irwin
State: PA
Zip: 15642
Home Telephone: (724) *64-5391
Work Telephone: (412) 460-3000
NFPA Membership No: #768
Email: [email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have
completed.)
___ Associate__(XX Baccalaureate)___Master’s
___Doctorate _(XX
CCEMTP) ___FP-C
College or University granting
highest degree: University of Pittsburgh
Current Program: STAT MedEvac, Pittsburgh,
PA
Position: Base Site Coordinator
Former Program: None
If elected to the designated office, I
promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the
mission of the association in the best interest of paramedics.
Ron Walter
my name indicates my
acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what
qualifies you to hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected
position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
As elections draw closer it’s hard to believe
my first year on the NFPA board of directors is coming to a close. It’s even
harder for me to realize I’ve spent the last twenty-seven years of my life
involved in emergency medical services, with the past thirteen years dedicated
to the air medical industry. As an NFPA board member I’ve learned first hand
what a unique organization the NFPA is. The board members are a hard working
dedicated group of professionals who volunteer their time, knowledge and
expertise to insure our profession as flight paramedics is represented with
respect within the industry.
This past year, I’ve been involved in the
establishment of a new Web Site design for the association that should be
operational by the end of August. This new web site will be more responsive to
the needs of our membership and will provide a functional database that will
make the day-to-day operations of the association more efficient. I’ve also been
very active in the development of the NFPA State Delegate program that will be
implemented at our meeting in Kansas City this November. This new program was
developed to facilitate communication between our members and the NFPA board. By
establishing a contact person within each state the association will be able to
be more responsive to the needs of our members on a local bases. After a tragic
accident in my program this past January, that took the lives of two of my
co-workers and critically injured one of our flight paramedics, I’ve been
dedicated to the establishment of a post incident procedure guide. A pre
conference workshop at the AMTC conference in Kansas City this November will be
the starting point for this project.
I believe the NFPA goals should be focused on
bring a high standard of professionalism through upgrading educational and
safety standards. I feel that our profession will benefit from these higher
standard and help us to be recognized and respected as a critical component of
the health care industry. I’m confident I can bring to the table a leadership
style that will be able to continue the hard work of the past officers of the
association and guide the association in its goals for the future. I’m looking
forward to working for you this coming year as your
President-Elect.
Board Member at Large
Joseph M. Bunch
Air Angels
Address 51557 S. Melvina
City Chicago
State
Illinois
Zip 60638
Home
Telephone (773) 582-5654
Work Telephone
(630) 876-7215
NFPA
Membership No. 1997
Email
[email protected]
Education
(Please check those levels you have completed.)
X___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master’s
___Doctorate X___CCEMTP X___FP-C
College
or University granting highest degree
Current
Program Air Angels
Position Flight Paramedic
Former
Program
If
elected to the designated office, I promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my
ability in the promotion of the mission of the association in the best interest
of paramedics.
Joseph M. Bunch
my name
indicates my acceptance
Describe
below, in 300 words or less, what qualifies you to hold office and why you are
interested in serving in an elected position.
CANDIDATE
STATEMENT: As a Paramedic I endeavor the never-ending responsibility to promote
a quality, high standard of care. As many can testify, there come critical
events that are unfamiliar and rare. Instead of avoiding the unknown I seek out
educational resources. As this is now my catalyst for professional growth. I
feel that this obligation set forth, within an intricate relation between team
and patient, during an emotional, physical time of need.
Rapid
advances in medical and technical knowledge make for an increased demand to
process large quantities of information, with continuous learning and updating
knowledge and clinical skills, which are time consuming, however essential.
As an
advocate for patient care, the knowledge, and technical skills that I
continuously learn and practice set a crucial quality, high standard in caring
for the critically ill. In addition to competence in the field, I as a Paramedic
strive to retain a humanistic approach in possessing certain qualities, such as
compassion, devotion and integrity, which I believe constitutes the essence of
professionalism.
Holding a
standard governed by many, I strive to reach the highest standard of excellence
in clinical practice and in the generation and dissemination of knowledge and
experience. Through my young and ever growing program, I remain profluent and energetic in the healing
process of the critically ill.
The
ability to retain an impacted role in the critical care environment depends
largely on the willingness to abide by a standard of excellence and behavior
that requires a commitment by each and every individual to the professional
standard that the National Flight Paramedics Association represents and sets.
Intentions set forth mirror what the National Flight Paramedics Association
constitutes, excellence and professionalism conducting quality teamwork with
patient avocation.
Through
constant evaluation of professional needs, complemented with the privilege to
mentor core knowledge and experience I have gained, the National Flight
Paramedics Association serves as
professional growth, depicting the dynamic role of the Paramedic in the
transport world.
Board Member at Large
Gloria Tavenner
Dow
EagleMed
Address: 2210 Fairway
City: Dodge City
State: KS Zip:
67801
Home Telephone : (620) 227-0974
Work Telephone: (316) 946-4855
NFPA Membership No.
Email: [email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have
completed.)
__X_Associate__X__Baccalaureate___Master’s
___Doctorate ___CCEMTP ___FP-C
College or University granting
highest degree: University of Alaska, Anchorage
Current Program: EagleMed
Position: Flight Paramedic
Former Program: Lifewatch
If elected to the designated office, I
promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the
mission of the association in the best interest of paramedics.
___Gloria Tavenner Dow__
my name indicates my
acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what
qualifies you to hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected
position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
As a flight paramedic, my fellow crew members and I strive each day to provide
the best care possible to each patient and his or her family members. I believe
that quality care begins long before the mission is accepted or the aircraft
launches. Quality care begins as each of you spend long hours to educate
yourselves and each other. It is inherent in every safety standard we practice.
Each time we interact with the public and other providers, you exemplify
superior medical care in your competence, professionalism, and kindness.
I am running for the Board of Directors
because I believe NFPA is an organization that can assist each of us in our
daily quest for excellence. As a long-term educator, I am constantly amazed by
the critical thinking skills of air medical crews. I believe the NFPA can go a
long way in promoting paramedic and critical care educational programs that
enhance natural critical thinking skills. Education can be a self-propagating
resource, but only if we support research, development, and knowledge
application. The Certified Flight Paramedic Exam recognizes extra efforts in
education, while at the same time promoting and recognizing professionalism and
national standards of excellence. I applaud NFPA and the current Board for their
diligence in developing the exam.
As a ground and air transport paramedic,
firefighter, and masters degree candidate, I have been privileged to work with
incredible teams of people from across the country. That same team work is as
essential for the promotion of our profession and our industry as it is for a
well-orchestrated scene flight. I believe that by supporting safety, education,
team work and professionalism on local and national levels we strengthen our
industry and ourselves. I would like to work to with you in your quest for
excellence.
Board Member at
Large
David Ellis
Air Evac LifeTeam
Address: 1675 Nighthawk Circle
City: Conway
State: Arkansas
Zip 72032
Home Telephone: 501-328-5723
Work Telephone: 501-269-3864
NFPA Membership No. 1473
Email: [email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have
completed.)
___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master’s
___Doctorate _X__CCEMTP _X_FP-C
College or University granting
highest degree:
Current Program: Air Evac LifeTeam--Little
Rock Region
Position: Paramedic Education
Coordinator
Former Program: Greenville Hospital System
Critical Care Transport
If elected to the designated office, I
promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the
mission of the association in the best interest of paramedics.
David
Ellis
My name indicates my
acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what
qualifies you to hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected
position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
The air medical industry is widely diverse,
with practices and standards varying somewhat throughout the nation. For this
reason I feel that I am a good candidate to the NFPA Board. I am currently
certified in over a dozen states, and have experience in ground critical care,
in fixed and rotor wing transport from South Carolina to western Kansas, and
from Illinois to Arkansas. Through this experience, I believe that I have gained
a good understanding of the regional differences affecting our industry. I am currently employed full time in
education in the air medical field, and actively teach everything from CPR to
CCEMT-P. I have a strong desire to
see the paramedic profession grow and develop further. I see a position on the NFPA Board as an
excellent opportunity to help effect change in our industry, and do my part to
better this profession we all love.
Board Member at Large
Cliff Larrabee
Medi-Flight of Northern
California
Address 849
Cloverland Way
City Oakdale
State Ca.
Zip 95361
Home Telephone
(209) 847-6705
Work Telephone (209)
572-7050
NFPA Membership No.
422
Email
[email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have completed.)
___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master’s ___Doctorate ___CCEMTP ___FP-C
College or University granting highest degree
Current Program
Medi-Flight of Northern California
Position Chief
Flight Paramedic
Former Program
None : N/A
If elected to the designated office, I promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the mission of the association in the best interest of paramedics
Cliff
Larrabee
my name indicates my acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what qualifies you to
hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
I am the Chief Flight Paramedic of Medi-Flight of Northern
California. I am running for an open seat on the Board of Directors of the NFPA.
I have been a full-time Flight Paramedic with Medi-Flight for the past 21 years
and 15 years as the Chief Flight Paramedic. I have the financial support of our
program in order to attend the NFPA Board meetings. I believe Board meeting
attendance is paramount to the success of our organization and I will be at the
meetings.
In my 20 plus years as a Flight Paramedic I have seen many
changes in our business and in particular the role of the Flight Paramedic. As
the role of the Flight Paramedic continues to evolve we, the NFPA, should be at
the forefront of this evolution. Our past Boards and membership have done an
excellent job at promoting our profession at a high level. I would like to
continue this trend. I believe that change is a fact of life and we cannot be
complacent and wait for change to happen…we have to have an active role in the
process of change in order to maintain a strong position.
In order to maintain our leadership in the transportation of
the sick and injured I believe we should explore, not ignore, the role of the
Critical Care Paramedic both on the ground and in the air. Do the flight and
ground personnel have common goals ? Should we be together ? Should we stay
apart ? What kind of membership
would we have if we became a Critical Care Paramedic organization instead of a Flight
Paramedic only organization ? I don’t know the answers, but I believe we should
take a good look at all the possibilities. I am VERY PROUD to be a Flight
Paramedic, and I will be one to the end, but why not explore the future and be
leaders not followers.
I am proud to be a member of this organization and if I am
elected to the Board of Directors I will do my best to serve the membership of
the NFPA to the best of my ability.
Board Member at Large
Scott R. Lewis
STAT MedEvac
Address 1906 Riggs Road
City
South Park
State
PA
Zip 15129
Home Telephone
724-348-0384
Work Telephone 724-772-1771
NFPA Membership No.
Email [email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have completed.)
___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master’s ___Doctorate ___CCEMTP ___FP-C
College or University granting highest degree
Current Program STATMedEvac
Position Flight Paramedic
Former Program
If elected to the designated office, I promise to serve the
NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the mission of the
association in the best interest of paramedics.
Scott R. Lewis
my name indicates my acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what qualifies you to
hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time, we all
were living in a perfect world with nothing to fear. What we all found out on
9/11 was that are world is not perfect, and yes there is something to fear.
If I am elected to the BOD of the NFPA, I will work to make
OUR association stronger than ever. I believe in
strength in numbers. One goal of our association should be to attract new
members and retain those who already belong. How do we accomplish this? Easy, we
gain respect in the medical community. Respect does not come easy. Our
association MUST continue to become leaders n the medical community. Education
and research are paramount for us to continue. If I am elected to the BOD, I
will promote education and research for all involved in paramedicine.
So when you vote for the BOD, know that if you cast your vote
for me, you will be voting for someone that cares about our profession.
Board Member at Large
J Michael Morrow
Angel Flight - Port Arthur,
TX
Address: 3599 Center Rd
City: Perry
State: Ohio
Zip: 44081
Home Telephone: 440.339.7696
Work Telephone: 216.987.2163
NFPA Membership No.: 1827
Email:
[email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have completed.)
___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master’s ___Doctorate _X_CCEMTP ___FP-C
College or University granting highest degree
Current Program: Angel
Flight - Port Arthur, TX
Position: Flight Paramedic
Former Program: University
AirCare Cleveland, Ohio
If elected to the
designated office, I promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my ability in the
promotion of the mission of the association in the best interest of
paramedics.
J Michael Morrow
my name indicates my acceptance
Describe below, in
300 words or less, what qualifies you to hold office and why you are interested
in serving in an elected position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
I believe that it is time to develop, and establish, an educational
standard for Flight Paramedics on a national level. I feel it is the
responsibility of the NFPA to lead this endeavor. I have coordinated, and
taught, several critical care courses across the country with admirable results.
I would work towards the development of such a course that would serve to meet
all of the educational needs of the Paramedics involved (ground and air). We
must remain the leaders of our own profession. The development of such a program
would establish only the highest standards that would serve to guide the
profession in the current developmental stages, as well as into the future.
Further, ongoing development of continuing educational programs would serve to
enhance learned material, and provide CCT professionals the most up-to-date
materials relevant to the profession.
Board Member at Large
Pamela Rolens
Air Evac Life Team
Address 419 Lincoln Drive
City
Fredericktown
State
MO
Zip 63645
Home Telephone 573-783-6720
Work Telephone
618-332-0197
NFPA Membership No.
Email
[email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have
completed.)
___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master’s
___Doctorate ___CCEMTP ___FP-C
College or University granting
highest degree
Current Program Air Evac Lifeteam
Position Regional Paramedic Manager
Former Program
If elected to the designated office, I
promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the
mission of the association in the best interest of paramedics.
Pamela S. Rolens,
NREMT-P
my name indicates my
acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what
qualifies you to hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected
position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
I have been a flight paramedic for 7 years. I
am currently a regional manager for a company that has 26 locations and is
rapidly expanding. Due to the flexibility of my schedule and the support of my
company, traveling and devoting time for meetings will not be a problem for me.
I am very involved in marketing and I’m also involved in our education
department. I have been involved in fundraisers in my community and have held
other offices in organizations within my community. Being a manager I keep up on
the politics associated with air medical transport and EMS in general for
several states. I am interested in the political side of EMS and want to be a
part of making the changes to improve our capability of providing the best
patient care possible. I believe that the experience and knowledge base that I
can bring with me will be an asset to the association. I appreciate your
consideration.
Board Member at Large
Scott C. Sherry
STAT MedEvac
Address
STAT MedEvac 6, One Hospital Drive
City Clarion
State
PA
Zip 16214
Home Telephone 814.797.1713
Work Telephone
814.226.1538
NFPA Membership No.
1942
Email
[email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have
completed.)
___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master’s
___Doctorate ___CCEMTP ___FP-C
College or University granting
highest degree
Current Program STAT MedEvac
Position Flight Paramedic
Former Program
If elected to the designated office, I
promise to serve the NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the
mission of the association in the best interest of paramedics.
Scott C. Sherry
my name indicates my
acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what
qualifies you to hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected
position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
I have been involved with EMS for nearly 15
years, the last 7 ½ as a flight paramedic.
In addition to flight experience with a very busy air medical program, I
have served with two regional EMS councils in PA, as well as with the
Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, the state advisory council to
the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health on EMS issues. I served for nearly four years as the
Director of a large suburban ambulance service in NW PA, receiving PA’s
Ambulance Service of the Year Award in 1999. I have written an article titled
“Providing Customer Service in EMS” for EMSVillage.com and will be presenting a
lecture on Customer Service in EMS at the Pennsylvania State EMS Conference in
Lancaster, PA this August. I have
served on the boards of directors of several organizations, including one of
Pennsylvania’s Regional EMS Councils.
I currently serve on the STAT MedEvac safety committee, as well as the
state advisory council’s EMT & Paramedic Advisory Committee. I would look forward to using my wide
range of experiences in serving on the NFPA board of directors.
Board Member at Large
Brian Wall
LifeFlight Eagle
Address 212 Wilshire #1
City Liberty
State MO Zip
64068
Home Telephone
(816)407-7430
Work Telephone (816)380-6601
NFPA Membership No. 1411
Email [email protected]
Education (Please check those levels you have completed.)
___Associate____Baccalaureate___Master's ___Doctorate _X__CCEMTP _X__FP-C
College or University granting highest degree
Current Program LifeFlight Eagle
Position Flight Paramedic
Former Program
Gallup MedFlight
If elected to the designated office, I promise to serve the
NFPA to the best of my ability in the promotion of the mission of the
association in the best interest of paramedics.
Brian
Wall
my name
indicates my acceptance
Describe below, in 300 words or less, what qualifies you to
hold office and why you are interested in serving in an elected position.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
When I first made the decision to become a flight paramedic I
made it my personal mission to learn every possible aspect of the position
including making myself available to most of my local peers as well
as interacting with National and International EMS
professionals. I have been fortunate to encounter individuals from several
flight programs across this great country, and other countries. I am always
eager to learn and share information. I believe that one of the key assets to
any person in a position of being a "representative" for our profession, or any
other, would be accessibility.
Second, I am highly detail oriented. As the Chairperson of the
QA/QI Committee, I am responsible for reporting all statistical data to the
Clinical Manager as well as the Program Director. This position requires extreme
numeric detail, as well as accuracy. As such I am a very organized person, able
to synthesize large amounts of data. This aids me in relaying a large amount of
information in a smooth coherent fashion, and presents it in such a way as to
not bore.
Finally, I had the honor of being nominated for the Tim Hynes
award this year. While I am uncertain as to who nominated me, it has been
brought to my attention that my overall good attitude coupled with a large
undertaking of responsibility in such a short period of time without a problem,
were key reasons for my nomination.
Thank you
for you for your time and I hope you will consider my qualifications and decide
that I am well suited to be an ambassador for the NFPA. I would feel honored to
serve in such a position. I am proud to be a member of this organization.