Rural EMS Improvements Working Group

Interim Director of Graduate Studies & Professor of Rhetoric, Scientific and Technical Communication in the Department of English, Linguistics, and Writing Studies

David Beard serves as Professor of Rhetoric on the Duluth Campus.  From 2022-2025, he has worked with Kim Dauner (Health Care Management), Julie Slowiak (Industrial and Organizational Psychology), and Kathryn Van Wert (English; Medical Humanities) on interventions in burnout in rural, critical access hospitals.  The crisis in EMS creates stressors which contribute to burnout in other professions, reverberating across all levels of the healthcare system.  He volunteers with Wilderness Health, a consortium of nine hospitals in Northeast Minnesota, connecting Wilderness and their partner hospitals to university resources.  His current research method is listening, oral history, focus groups and other forms of storytelling, a path of inquiry that supports co-editorship of Survive & Thrive: A Journal for Medical Humanities and Narrative as Medicine.  He is a Fellow with the Institute on the Environment, and writes on diverse topics (on professional wrestling, on Doctor Who, and on other topics; to learn more, visit my Google Scholar page).

Clinical Research Coordinator
Department of Pediatrics, Critical Care
University of Minnesota Medical School

I am a clinical research coordinator in the department of pediatric critical care at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. I aspire to attend medical school and practice specialty surgical care in rural communities. I have past experience working in rural EMS. During my undergraduate education, I served as an EMT for my campus situated in a rural community. I have experience working in the emergency department of a hospital in rural Minnesota, as well as a level one trauma center in St. Paul. I have done research work through Stanford University that entailed doing research on rural healthcare. I currently run a public health podcast where I strive to bring advocacy and awareness to underserved communities in healthcare. I am super passionate about rural health, and I am driven to find ways to reduce and eliminate the disparities in healthcare that rural communities face.

Essentia Health
Duluth, MN

Dr. Katie Benziger is a cardiologist and currently serves as the Medical Director of Heart and Vascular research for Essentia Health (EH) and is adjunct associate professor at University of Minnesota Medical School. She maintains a clinical practice in Duluth, MN, and Spooner, WI, that focuses on lipids and cardiometabolic disease treatment and is a practicing non-invasive cardiologist (echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests, etc.). She completed her MPH in Global Health in 2017 and is a clinical trialist at EH. Her research focuses on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and better understanding health disparities in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases in rural areas. She was  voted “Top Doctor” by her peers in Minnesota for cardiology. She mentors students through the cardiology clerkship at the University of Minnesota Medical School and through the EH summer research internship. She is actively involved in the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology both locally and nationally to help promote education and awareness of cardiovascular disease. She does research with the CARES out of hospital cardiac arrest registry for MN and WI and works with the STEMI program leaders at Essentia. Her goal is to become an independent clinical scientist embedded in a large rural healthcare system and to develop and implement creative interventions to improve cardiovascular disease prevention in rural areas. In her free time, she volunteers as an assistant soccer coach for Gitchi Gummi soccer club, den leader for cub scouts, and enjoys running (with Kim Dauner), biking, swimming, skiing, camping and all things outdoors. And David I also completed the Wilderness Health advanced wilderness life support course in medical school a few years ago but fortunately haven’t had to use those skills much working in Duluth but definitely recognize the urgent need for more EMS providers in the region.

Associate Professor
University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Duluth 
Emergency Medicine Pharmacist, Aspirus St. Luke's

I am Heather Blue, a clinical pharmacist and associate professor at the College of Pharmacy in Duluth. I developed emergency medicine pharmacy services at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital here in Duluth and continue to practice there as lead ED pharmacist. I am involved in policy and protocol development, education, and practice in the ED including responding and assisting with pharmacotherapy during resuscitations, traumas alerts, STEMIs, strokes, and other critical patient scenarios. I grew up in a rural area and have an intense respect for volunteer and EMS workers, especially those in rural areas with less resources. As demonstrated by my faculty appointment, I enjoy teaching including in the clinical setting through interdisciplinary education. I would love to allow my clinical knowledge and experience to assist EMS crews and ED staff of MN in both education as well any potential research/dissemination to educate beyond our area. I live outside of Duluth with my husband, and two daughters (11&14yo),and fox red lab, Ginger. 

Emergency Medicine Resident, Regions Hospital 

I am Jesse Brooks. I am currently a second year emergency medicine resident at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. I recently started the associate medical director for EMS pathway through my residency, and I will be working with White Bear Lake EMS over the next two years in this role. I went to medical school at the University of Minnesota, and completed my first two years on the Duluth campus. During these first two years of medical school I was fortunate to be able to work with Dr. Nalin on a research project looking at handoffs between EMS and emergency department providers in the state of MN. Prior to medical school I obtained my EMT-B and worked as an emergency department tech at Abbott Hospital. After residency I am hoping to work in a rural community in MN.

My name is Barrett Bukowiec and I am a current 4th year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School. My passion for EMS, especially in the rural setting, started at a very young age watching my parents first-respond for our local volunteer ambulance service. This early exposure allowed me to develop a strong interest in learning how the human body works while also allowing me to care for my community. My interest in medicine was only strengthened through my volunteer EMT work in northern Minnesota and northeastern North Dakota during my undergrad years. After receiving my Bachelor's in Nursing from the University of North Dakota, I returned to work as a registered nurse at a critical access hospital in northern Minnesota while also continuing to volunteer for my hometown ambulance service. A few years later, I began working as a part-time flight nurse who often transported patients from rural areas of Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. All these experiences told me that medical school was the route I needed to take so I could continue to build my knowledge and understanding of how the human body works. Medical school has certainly achieved this goal while also enlightening me about the numerous obstacles faced in medicine, with one of those being EMS. This new knowledge along with my continued work as a part-time flight nurse during medical school has allowed me to make more sense of obstacles I remember facing as a nurse and EMT before school while also inspiring me to learn more about what I can do to help tackle these issues. I look forward to learning more about what can be done to improve the field of EMS in Minnesota. 

Assistant Director | M Simulation 
Office of Academic Clinical Affairs

E.B. Floersch serves as the Assistant Director of M Simulation at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities). His responsibilities include collaborating closely with other key leaders to uphold the simulation center's mission and oversee daily operations. A significant aspect of his role involves managing and expanding the in-situ simulation component of M Simulation as well as leading outreach initiatives. His contributions to simulation include developing curriculum adaptations, promoting medical device research, and creating innovative task trainers.

With a background rooted in pre-hospital emergency care and growing up in rural Minnesota, E.B. has a strong understanding of rural communities’ unique medical needs. Early in his career he volunteered on a rural rescue squad in northwestern Minnesota responding to multiple emergency calls and attending advanced training. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic and Lead Instructor, where he spent nearly nine years within a Brigade Combat Team. Academically he holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Minnesota where his focus is geared toward improving global emergency response and preparedness. He is now pursuing his PhD in Human Factors where he plans to use his career -and lived experience- to further improve global emergency response and preparedness.

Associate Professor and Program Director | Public Health Administration & Policy MPH Program
University of Minnesota School of Public Health

I am the Program Director for Public Health Administration and Policy (PHAP) in the School of Public Health. Like many of you, I wear several hats, but broadly speaking, my research applies methods of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to bridge gaps in care delivery strategies. I have used this approach in northern New England (NH, VT, and NY) to examine the impact and mitigation strategies to understand the opioid crisis. Other areas of focus have concerned housing insecurity and mental health contribute to poorer outcomes in rural communities. I find this work incredibly fulfilling and look forward to learning from all of you.

For the purposes of this group, I am currently leading an effort (technical assistance) in collaboration with community members from Region 9 and The Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership. As a team we are looking to provide guidance and recommendations to address critical staffing issues associated with: 1) recruitment (marketing) and retention (training + retirement); 2) billing recoupment; 3) grant development and fund-raising; and 4) strategies for improving quality of life for EMS employees.

(Hometown: Oregon, IL, Population: 3,579)

I am the Director of Research Development at the Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care. Our Center's vision is to develop and evaluate innovative, effective acute trauma care from point of injury through early post-injury in austere, low-resource, rural, and emergency care settings. I provide grant writing and editing support for Center members and support junior faculty development. I also manage some of our Center's projects, such as a grant program with University of Minnesota, Uniformed Services University, Medical Alley, and Fairview Health Services. As someone that grew up in the rural Midwest, our Center's work related to rural trauma care is near and dear to my heart.

My name is Jeff Ho and I am a senior faculty member in Emergency Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare. I started my EMS interest in CA with the fire service and came to MN for residency training in 1992.  I have served most of my career in metro EMS. I am boarded in emergency medicine and EMS medicine and received a Bush Foundation fellowship in 2003 to work in areas where medicine intersects with public safety. I currently lead a program as a medical director in rural Meeker County, MN with their sheriff's office that puts cross trained community service officer paramedics in their volunteer staff pool for better EMS coverage and that has now morphed into them having a full time community paramedic position that serves their community and their regional tactical team. I am a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of MN Twin Cities medical school and I am also the medical director of a rural EMS service in Watkins, MN.

C2DREAM ID Core Program Associate | Research Professional 3

I grew up in rural central Minnesota, and have been an EMT since 2019 with a background in ER nursing. I now work in health equity research with a focus on access to care in rural communities.

(Hometown: Warren, MN) 

Executive Director, Minnesota Rural Health Association

I am Mark Jones and I am very excited and honored to join the conversation on rural EMS. I began my EMS career in the early 90’s as an EMT and then went on to Paramedic school in 1994. I have worked in rural and urban communities as a ground and flight paramedic. I spent twenty years at a Critical Access Hospital working in operations, finance and EMS. I retired from the clinical world in 2022 after 29 years as an EMT and Paramedic.

I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Rural Health Association, a role I have filled since 2018. I also work with ambulance services on sustainability planning. Over my 30-year career I have had the opportunity to serve in many roles that have supported rural EMS. I served on the Greater Northwest EMS Board of Directors for nine years, six of which I was the Board Chair. I also served on the Minnesota Ambulance Association Board of Directors for ten years, including two years as the Board President.

I was born and raised in Warren, moved away for a few years and have been back in my beloved hometown since 2000. I am on the School Board and have been involved with many community groups and activities.

Clinical Research Coordinator, Anesthesiology 

I am a Research Coordinator with the Department of Anesthesiology. As a former EMT, I am interested in EMS and rural health.

Associate Professor 
Division of Health Policy and Management 
University of Minnesota School of Public Health

I'm an associate professor in HPM and have been working on projects related to interfacility transfers and am planning on expanding this work to prehospital medicine.

(Hometown: Ganado, AZ/Navajo Reservation, pop: 883) 

I am the Executive Director for the University of Minnesota Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care. Formed in 2021, the Center’s mission is to develop and evaluate innovative, effective acute trauma care from point of injury through early post-injury in austere, low resource, rural, and emergency care settings and to create a multidisciplinary, translational research center that brings together trauma and emergency care research across the state of Minnesota into a single entity and develops faculty and trainee research careers. Our current projects include:    Secondary analysis of large national, regional and state datasets: Sedation and Analgesia in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and Risk of Shock; EMS Level of Training is Associated with Mortality in Trauma Patients; Optimal Prehospital Airway Management in Patients with Major Trauma; EMS Interventions Associated with Length of Stay and Mortality; Mapping a Rural Trauma System to Identify Disparities in Access to Pre-Hospital Care in Traumatic Brain Injury;  Qualitative Analysis of Urban and Rural EMS Provider Experiences. The Center is currently working with the Level 1 and 2 trauma centers to create a statewide database that links prehospital care, hospital care and patient outcomes to be used for further collaborative research. Additionally, the Center is collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Health for further outcomes research and developing technology-based support for EMS providers. 

Director | Center for Transportation Studies

Assistant Professor
Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health
University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus

I am a family medicine physician that spent 28 years in Grand Marais, with 18 of those years working in the ER in a shared call model. I have briefly served over those years in the roles of Ambulance Director and as an advisor for a first responder group. I am currently on faculty at the Duluth campus of the medical school and support the rural mission along with teaching clinical skills. I am also on faculty with RPAP and have a chance to visit a variety of healthcare models across the north East and north central tier of Minnesota. I have family that work for Ridgeview Ambulance Service and have appreciated that model of care as well. I also have done some study of maternity deserts in Minnesota and am fully aware of the burden that has been placed on our emergency response partners. I am interested in understanding more about EMS across the state, at all levels, and how we can support emergency services in Minnesota.

University of Minnesota, St. Cloud

Hospitalist at CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital. Interested in collaborating with EMS in order to build, grow, and streamline the round-trip endoscopy service that we have been developing.

University of Minnesota | School of Nursing

My name is Stephanie Thielbar and I am currently a student at UMN- Twin Cities. I am in the Master of Nursing Program (MN) within an end date in the fall. Prior to joining the MN program, I worked in EMS for approximately 7 years following the completion of my bachelors degree in Biology at Augustana University- Sioux Falls, SD. 

I started off as an EMT- B in an ALS system with a company serving Sioux Falls, SD and the surrounding rural areas. I completed my paramedic education while working full time in Sioux Falls. Then, I moved back to Minnesota and worked for North Memorial Health Ambulance as a Critical Care Paramedic until starting this program in 2023. North Memorial Ambulance PSA covers the rural areas of Hennepin County (ie. Loretto, Corcoran) back east into North Minneapolis. I was a full time paramedic during the COVID 19 response, and George Floyd and Daunte Wright civil unrest response. These experiences have motivated me to provide holistic and compassionate care to those in need throughout Minnesota. 

I am excited to participate in these meetings and offer the perspective of a paramedic with rural and metro EMS experience.

Division Chair, Heart and Vascular
Essentia Health

I'm Nicole Worden, MD. I 'm a cardiologist and Division Chair of the Essentia Health Heart and Vascular Center. I am the STEMI program medical director.  We have the largest STEMI catchment area in the state of Minnesota and our interventional cardiologists interface directly with EMS personal in the acute heart attack setting.  Each year I work with my colleagues in the STEMI program to develop and produce a STEMI conference that aims to educate RNs, EMS, and physicians about the care of STEMI patients.  I did my undergraduate degree in Justice and Peace studies and Biology at Creighton University and did ALL of my medical training at the University of Iowa.  I like to bike and I am the manager of my daughter's softball team.  Happy to work with you all.