Meet Our
EMS Experts
David Cary Training & Data Management Coordinator SC Department of Health EMS & Trauma
David began his career in the United States Army as a 68W (Healthcare Specialist). Following his military service, he pursued paramedic training in Kentucky, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Technology. He continued his education at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. During this time, he worked full-time as a paramedic and spent a year working as a physician scribe. David later relocated to Georgia, where he continued his work as a paramedic with Gold Cross. After two years, he transitioned to McDuffie Fire and EMS, where he earned his Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Instructor I certifications, as well as his Hazardous Materials Technician credential. He subsequently moved into education, joining Aiken Technical College as an EMS Instructor and Clinical Coordinator, while also serving as the American Heart Association Training Site Coordinator. During this period, he earned a Master’s degree in Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University.
David later joined the State of South Carolina as the Training and Data Management Coordinator. In addition to his professional roles, he has also served as a board member for one of the largest veterans charities in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA).
Patrick serves as the Deputy Chief of Clinical Services for Fairfield County EMS and the Training Manager for Carolina First EMS, where he leads clinical education initiatives, continuing education compliance, and quality improvement programs for field providers. He also serves as an EMT Instructor with Midlands Technical College, contributing to the education and preparation of future EMS professionals. Dineen earned his Bachelor’s degree in EMS Administration from Columbia Southern University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and holds an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Technology from Midlands Technical College. With more than fifteen years of experience across emergency medical services, fire service, and public safety communications, he has built a career centered on strengthening EMS education, supporting professional development, and developing systems that prepare providers for high-acuity, time-sensitive patient care.
Much of Patrick’s career focuses on developing and maintaining continuing education programs that help EMS providers reach their maximum potential while meeting state and national standards. His experience includes curriculum development, instructor coordination, program evaluation, and quality improvement processes designed to translate national clinical guidelines into practical field application. As an early supporter of NeoHERO Foundation initiatives within his agency, he has actively worked to integrate neonatal resuscitation training into EMS education to better prepare providers for high-risk, low-frequency events. Through his service on the Education Committee, his goal is to help ensure this education remains relevant, accessible, and widely adopted across EMS agencies so that providers in the field are better prepared to care for the most vulnerable patients.
Patrick Dineen Deputy Chief, Fairfield County EMS
Dr. David French, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, is a board-certified emergency medicine and EMS physician who serves as the medical director for multiple prehospital agencies in the Charleston region. He is also the Associate Residency Director for the Trident Emergency Medicine Residency and an emergency physician within the HCA system. Dr. French previously held an academic appointment as Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where he was involved in physician and EMS education, curriculum development, and mentorship. His leadership extends across numerous EMS agencies, fire departments, and paramedic training programs, where he provides medical oversight and advances prehospital clinical practice.
Dr. French completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by an Emergency Medicine residency and EMS fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center. His career spans extensive clinical, academic, and administrative leadership roles across North Carolina, Texas, and South Carolina, including service as a system medical director, flight physician, and emergency department leader. He is actively engaged in research focused on prehospital care, telemedicine, resuscitation, and EMS education, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and national presentations. A fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, and National Association of EMS Physicians, Dr. French remains a recognized leader in advancing innovation and excellence in emergency and prehospital medicine.
David French, MD, FACEP, FAEMS Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Charleston, SC
Amaury was born and raised in Puerto Rico and relocated to South Florida in 2018. With over 32 years of experience as a field paramedic, his passion for emergency medicine was sparked early through time spent in the emergency department alongside his father, an emergency physician. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Medical Services Management from Springfield College and has held numerous leadership and educational roles throughout his career. His experience includes serving as the EMS for Children Coordinator for Puerto Rico, President of the Puerto Rico Paramedic Examining Board, State EMS Director, Senior Paramedic Instructor at the University of Miami, Ground Transport Director for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, and CAMTS Program and Communications Center Manager for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital LifeFlight.
Amaury currently serves as adjunct faculty with Methodist University and Western Governors University. Academically, he holds a Master of Science in Critical Care from the University of Edinburgh (2023) and a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg (2024).He remains actively engaged in national professional organizations, is an American Heart Association (AHA) and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) instructor, and maintains certifications as a Flight and Critical Care Paramedic, Pediatric and Neonatal Transport Specialist, and Medical Transport Executive.
Amaury Hernandez CAMTS Program & Communications Center Manager Nicklaus Children’s Hospital LifeFlight, Miami, FL
Lisa is a highly experienced Doctor of Nursing Practice, serving as a pediatric trauma and emergency care professional with a career spanning nearly three decades in nursing, EMS, and clinical education. She currently serves as Pediatric Trauma Coordinator at Henry Ford St. John Hospital in Detroit, where she leads initiatives to improve pediatric trauma outcomes and system readiness. In addition, she is an Adjunct Faculty member at St. Clair County Community College, reflecting her long-standing commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare providers. Dr. Hill’s career reflects a unique integration of prehospital and hospital-based care, having progressed from paramedic and EMS instructor to leadership roles in clinical care management and academic program direction. Her background includes critical care nursing in both neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. She previously served as a Paramedic Program Director and Clinical Care Manager, where she played a key role in shaping EMS education and advancing clinical standards.
Her dual licensure as a registered nurse and paramedic, along with numerous instructor certifications in trauma and resuscitation programs, underscores her depth of expertise across the continuum of emergency care. A recognized leader in pediatric trauma, Dr. Hill is actively engaged in research, publication, and professional service at the state and national levels. She has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and national educational resources, with a focus on pediatric readiness, trauma care, and child abuse recognition. Her work has been presented at major conferences, including the Emergency Nurses Association and Pediatric Trauma Society. She is also an active member of multiple professional organizations and committees, including the Michigan Trauma Coalition and EMS for Children initiatives, and serves as a trauma site reviewer for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Through her clinical leadership, scholarship, and advocacy, Dr. Hill continues to advance pediatric emergency and trauma care systems.
Lisa Hill Henry Ford St. Johns Hospital, Pediatric Trauma Coordinator, Detroit, MI
Thomas serves as Training Chief for Berkeley County EMS in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, a role he has held since May 2021. In this capacity, he oversees the Continuing Education Program (CEP) as Instructor and Director and serves as the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) Coordinator and Program Director. Under his leadership, the agency achieved designation as a South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) approved EMT Training Site, where he also serves as the SC DPH EMT Training Site Program Director. Thomas plays an integral role in countywide emergency preparedness as the Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8 representative for the Berkeley County Emergency Operations Center. He has supported activations for Hurricane Ian, Tropical Storms Idalia and Debby, the 2024 Presidential Election, and the 2025 winter weather event, ensuring coordinated medical and public health response operations.
An experienced EMS leader, Thomas specializes in training and education program administration, project management, and organizational development. He has designed and led comprehensive continuing education initiatives, coordinated credentialing programs, and built structured workforce development pathways, including the creation and implementation of a Paramedic Preparatory Course to position prospective students for success in paramedic school. A skilled communicator and confident extemporaneous speaker, Thomas effectively engages audiences ranging from frontline providers to executive leadership and community stakeholders. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, humanistic management, and the cultivation of a strong organizational culture grounded in accountability, professionalism, and service. Through strategic planning and team-centered leadership, he remains committed to strengthening both individual performance and system-wide excellence within emergency medical services.
Thomas Krakeel Chief Training Officer, Berkeley County EMS
Julie is currently a Battalion Chief for Charleston Fire Department serving as the Medical Coordinator since November 2022. Julie has over twenty-five years of experience in Fire and EMS and has been a Paramedic since 2001. She currently serves as the Secretary of the SC DHEC Training Committee in her capacity as an EMT Instructor, is a voting Board Member on the SC EMS Association representing non-transporting EMS Agencies, is the SC EMS Training Officer’s Group coordinator, and participates in numerous local and statewide EMS committees.
Julie is a certified instructor in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), emergency pediatric care (EPC), tactical emergency casualty care (TECC), advanced medical life support (AMLS), prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS), and initial emergency medical responder (EMR) and emergency medical technician (EMT) programs. She has previously served as a National Registry of EMTs Advanced Examination Representative overseeing the validity and reliability of various regional EMT, AEMT, and NRP NREMT Certification Psychomotor Examinations. Julie earned her Associate Degree in Fire Science from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Disaster and Emergency Management from Columbia College. When Julie is not at work, she spends her time with her husband, Patrick, and four children.
Julie McCabe Battalion Chief, Charleston Fire Department
Benjamin McCollum EMS Director, Midlands Technical College
Benji McCollum is the Director of EMS Programs at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, South Carolina. A nationally registered paramedic and registered nurse, he brings more than 20 years of frontline experience in emergency care to his leadership in higher education. At Midlands Tech, Benji has guided the EMS programs to consistently surpass state and national certification pass rates, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence and workforce readiness. His focus is on building strong educational pathways that meet community needs, expand access to healthcare careers, and prepare graduates to serve in high-demand fields.
Beyond the college, Benji contributes his expertise through service on multiple local and state EMS committees, helping shape policy and strengthen emergency care systems. He holds degrees from the University of South Carolina and Clemson University and is currently pursuing a master’s in nursing education at USC. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medical Services. Benji is passionate about the role community colleges play in workforce development and is dedicated to advancing programs that connect education, healthcare, and community impact.
Doug Mizic UPMC Neonatal & Pediatric Transport
Doug is a neonatal nurse practitioner student, as well as a neonatal and pediatric transport clinician dedicated to improving access to timely, high-quality care for critically ill newborns. Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he serves a Level III NICU referral center and leads high-acuity neonatal and pediatric transports across Central Pennsylvania. Through this work, he has seen firsthand how delays in access, gaps in regional resources, and system limitations can impact outcomes during the most vulnerable moments of a newborn’s life. With clinical experience spanning Level II through Level IV NICU environments, Doug brings expertise in neonatal stabilization, resuscitation, and inter-facility transport. He is also an active pre-hospital RN educator, teaching EMS providers in obstetric, pediatric, and neonatal emergencies and serving as a Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) instructor. His work focuses on strengthening frontline readiness and ensuring that providers across care settings are prepared to deliver life-saving interventions when seconds matter.
Doug is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Nursing as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner through the University of Connecticut. His professional interests center on advancing neonatal transport medicine, addressing disparities in access to specialized neonatal care, and building systems that better support infants and families during critical transitions. Through NeoHERO, Doug aims to advocate for stronger regional networks, improved education, and innovative solutions that ensure every newborn has the best possible start.