40 Under 40: Adam Heinz (REMSA – Reno, NV)

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession.
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Adam Heinz
Executive Director Integrated Health
REMSA
Reno, NV

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Nominated By: Alexia Jobson (REMSA – Reno, NV)

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Biography:

Adam Heinz is the Executive Director of Integrated Health for Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) in Reno, Nevada. With an intense focus on leading and engaging teams to provide compassionate, clinically excellent prehospital care, Adam brings 18 years of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) experience to the organization. Having progressed in roles from Paramedic to EMS Supervisor, Clinical Development Manager to Director of Clinical Communications, Adam is now responsible for advancing REMSA’s innovative mobile health care projects. Through collaboration with regional partners, regulators, and elected officials, Adam represents the organization on a local, state, and national level. In addition, Adam overs sees REMSA’s clinical division and its Center for Prehospital Education.

Adam is a proud alumnus of the University of Nevada Reno where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Currently, Adam is pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in healthcare leadership. In addition to being a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP), Adam is certified as a Nevada State EMS Instructor and as an Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher (AEMD).

Currently, Adam serves on the Clinical Practices and Standards, and Mobile Integrated Health Committees of the National Association of EMS Physicians and was recently invited to be on the board of directors for Well Care Medical and Behavioral Health Clinic in Reno, Nevada.

Having given presentations at the PeaceHealth Neuroscience Clinical Symposium and the American Heart Association’s Annual Regional Conference, Adam is considered a leading thinker and advocate for the prehospital and mobile health care industry.

Adam is a lifelong resident of northern Nevada. Adam and his wife Heather, an emergency department registered nurse, have two children, Ella (4) and Bentley (2). Adam, a self-proclaimed “Disneyphile” speaks conversational French, enjoys international travel, and has an interest in the history of medicine.

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Reason for Nomination:

Passionate, articulate, supportive, confident, organized, honest, loyal, and transformational leader are just some of the ways Adam Heinz is described by his colleagues and the leadership at REMSA. Adam has an unyielding commitment to advancing the EMS industry by innovating, leading, and pursuing excellence. Starting as a Paramedic with REMSA 12 years ago, Adam has progressed through leadership positions to his current role as Executive Director of Integrated Health. Along the way, Adam consistently meets or beats budget objectives for his non-profit, non-tax-subsidized employer, implements forward-looking projects such as Alternative Destination Transport and Alpha/Omega protocols, leads groundbreaking initiatives such as REMSA’s AED drone delivery project. Additionally, Adam engages with front-line providers through educational opportunities, hosting EMS skills competitions, and highlighting exceptional care in the field at the weekly medical leadership meeting.

Adam’s contributions range from volunteering to serve on REMSA’s Employee Wellness Action Committee to the more sizable task of successfully leading REMSA’s Clinical Communications Center through two re-accreditation cycles which resulted in the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) recognizing the center as a mentor for other dispatch agencies interested in seeking accreditation. What’s unique and universally appreciated about Adam is that he approaches all tasks no matter how big or small, with the same vigor and enthusiasm. Adam is trusted to represent REMSA on the Washoe County Health District/District Board of Health, the region’s EMS Oversight Committee, and the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Board. Adam is well respected among his peers in the community and actively builds relationships with community stakeholders and public safety officials.

“Many of the relationships we (REMSA) have with our healthcare partners, co-responding agencies, and community leaders today are a direct result of the framework that Adam has put in place.” – Jason Hatfield, NRP, Clinical Coordinator, hiREMSA

Adam simultaneously displays a seriousness that conveys the importance of EMS work and a playfulness that eases the often heavy tone of EMS work. Adam continues to work patch-to-patch with ground field providers and dispatchers during regular shifts, special events, and when the system needs additional support. Adam is a mentor to staff all throughout the organization and regularly shares complimentary emails highlighting a job well done.

“You can find Adam grabbing a headset to help out in the communications center as well as jumping on an ambulance to run calls which provides an opportunity to engage in the front-line staff experience.” – Sarah Vonarx, Applications Administrator/AEMD, REMSA

Over the last two and a half years, Adam has made a commitment to working closely with the public affairs department to raise awareness about EMS, safety, health, and wellness. Adam now serves as REMSA’s primary on-camera media spokesperson, at-the-ready to assist with interviews on topics that range from flu shots and heat exhaustion to reimbursement, system status management, and the misuse of 911. Adam is a tremendous asset to REMSA as it positions itself as a high-performance, high-value EMS system and the regional mobile health care expert.

Adam has received two official recognitions for outstanding service throughout his career. In 2012 Adam was honored with an Achievement Award in response to the Reno Air Races tragedy which killed 11 people and injured 69 more during a spectator special event. In 2013, Adam was given the Meritorious Award for successfully resuscitating a young fan that suffered cardiac arrest at a University of Nevada Reno sporting event.

Adam is particularly enthusiastic about enhancing the different professions across the EMS and mobile healthcare industry. Adam conceptualized and launched a standardized uniform, badge, and collar brass look for all leadership levels at REMSA. In addition, Adam advocates for accountability across all provider levels and encourages all employees to represent REMSA’s brand proudly and with integrity. Finally, Adam believes that prehospital care and the profession of Paramedicine should be standardized and recognized at the university level.

Adam’s energy, high ethical standards, and intellect inspire people around him to do their best.

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View all of the 2020 Mobile Healthcare 40 Under 40 Honorees