Tag: Board of Directors

2022 AAA Board of Directors Election Results

The winners of the 2022 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. The term for each position will begin on January 1, 2023. For regions 1 and 3, two directors were chosen due to vacant positions. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.

President-Elect

Jamie Pafford-Gresham
Pafford EMS
Hope, AR

 


Treasurer

Julie Rose
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Ashtabula, OH

 

 


Secretary

Wayne Jurecki
Bell Ambulance Service, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI

 

 


Region 1 Director – 3 Year Term

Dennis Cataldo
Cataldo Ambulance Service
Somerville, MA

 

 

 

Region 1 Director – 1 Year Term

Mike Addario
Global Medical Response
Baldwinsville, NY

 

 


Region 2 Director – 3 Year Term

Chuck Kearns
Mercy Ambulance Service, Inc
Savannah, GA

 

 


Region 3 Director – 3 Year Term

Tom Tornstrom
Gundersen Health System-Tri-State Ambulance
La Crosse, WI

 

 

Region 3 Director – 1 Year Term

Kyle Wolber
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Winfield, IL

 

 


Region 4 Director – 3 Year Term

Allyson Pharr
Acadian Ambulance
Lafayette, LA

 

 


Region 5 Director – 3 Year Term

J.D. Fuiten
Metro West Ambulance
Hillsboro, OR

 

 

 

 


Ethics Committee

Hanan Cohen
Empress EMS
Region 1

 

 

 

Ron Quaranto
Acadian Ambulance
Region 4

2022 AAA Board of Director Nominations Open

Nominations Now Open for AAA Board, More!
View this email in your browser

Nominations Due 6/17 for
Board Candidates, Ethics Committee, and Honorary Members

Board Nominations

Nominations are open for AAA members in good standing who wish to serve the association in one of the following positions:

  • President-Elect
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Region I Director
    (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT & PR)
  • Region II Director
    (AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, PA, SC, VA, WV)
  • Region III Director 
    (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, TN, WI)
  • Region IV Director
    (AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, OK, ND, NE, SD, TX)
  • Region V Director
    (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY)

The nomination form must be completed by June 17th to be included in the election.

Individuals who wish to be considered for an elected position as President-Elect, Treasurer-at-Large, or Secretary must meet the following criteria:

1. Be an employee of and the designated representative of an Active member of the AAA, in good standing;

2. Be ready to devote time and effort to matters which concern the Board of Directors and to actively participate in all Board activities;

3. Be prepared to assist other AAA members with concerns and problems which relate to the ambulance industry and the workings of the AAA; and,

4. Understand that these positions provide no compensation for time or reimbursement for expenses. All travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging and food are the responsibility of the individual and/or the sponsoring organization.

5. Be willing to comply with all governance policies of the association including, Conflict of Interest, Standards of Conduct, and Board Confidentiality, Public Comment and Lobbying Agreement (PDF).

6. Have served on the AAA Board within the past five (5) years prior to his or her declaration as a candidate for election as a President-Elect, Treasurer-at-Large, or Secretary.

Individuals who wish to be considered for an elected position as Regional Director must:

1. Be the designated representative of an Active member of the AAA, in good standing;

2. Be ready to devote time and effort to matters which concern the Board of Directors and to actively participate in all Board activities;

3. Be prepared to assist other AAA members with concerns and problems which relate to the ambulance industry and the workings of the AAA; and,

4. Understand that these positions provide no compensation for time or reimbursement for expenses. All travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging and food are the responsibility of the individual and/or the sponsoring organization.

5. Be willing to comply with all governance policies of the association including, Conflict of Interest, Standards of Conduct, and Board Confidentiality, Public Comment and Lobbying Agreement (PDF).

There are no restrictions against an individual running for more than one position in the same election cycle, though no person shall hold more than one position simultaneously.All those who wish to stand for election and believe they are qualified are requested to complete a Nomination Form. Please note that we do not have two separate forms this year- just one form including the nominee info & candidate questionnaire! The form must be completed by June 17, 2022 to be included in the candidate ratification. 

Candidates’ statements and pictures, as well as the position(s) for which they are running for will be listed on the AAA website.

2022 Election Timeline

6/17 | Nominations Close
6/24  | Approval of Candidates by AAA Nominating Committee
6/28  | Approval of Candidates by AAA Board of Directors
8/1 | Voting Opens
Election will be paperless. Ballots will be delivered to AAA Active Member primary contacts via email.
9/1 | Voting Closes 11:59pm
9/18 | Election results announced at the Annual Membership Meeting at the AAA Annual Conference in Nashville, TN.

Get Involved!
(Nominations Due 6/17)

About Honorary Membership
AAA accepts written nominations for worthy individuals who have significantly contributed to the accomplishments of the AAA and should therefore be recognized through the granting of Honorary Membership. Honorary Member Form►

About the Ethics Committee
It is the mission of the Ethics Committee to define and distribute guidelines that promote self-imposed high ethical standards for providers of ambulance services. The committee is responsible for hearing complaints and making appropriate recommendations regarding violations of the AAA Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Ethics Committee Form►


Complete Board Candidate Form

Complete Honorary Member Form

Complete Ethics Committee Form

Please contact Meghan Winesett at mwinesett@ambulance.org or
(703) 203-9885 with any questions. 

2021 AAA Board of Directors Election Results

The winners of the 2021 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. The term for each position will begin on January 1, 2022. In compliance with our updated association bylaws, the candidate who received the most votes in each region will serve a one-time three year term and the candidate with the second most votes will serve a two-year term. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.

Region I

Director (3 year term)

Jim O’Connor
Vice President
Empress EMS
White Plains, NY


 

Director (2 year term)

Ron Quaranto
Executive Vice President of Operations
Cataldo Ambulance
Somerville, MA

 

Region II

 

Director (3 year term)

Terence Ramotar
Director of Government Affairs- Southeast Region
Global Medical Response
Tampa, FL

 


 

Director (2 year term)

Mike Thomas
Director of Safety & Government Relations
Jan-Care Ambulance
Beckley, WV

 

Region III

Director (3 year term)

Chris Anderson
Director of Operations
Bell Ambulance, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI

 

 


 

Director (2 year term)

Tom Schmiedeknecht
Director of Operations / President
Professional Med Team
Muskegon, MI

Region IV

 

Director (3 year term)

Angie McLain-Johnson
Chief Compliance and Revenue Officer
Pafford EMS
Edmond, OK

 

 


 

Director (2 year term)

Tom Fennell
Regulatory Officer
Mayo Clinic Ambulance
Rochester, MN

 

Region V

Director (3 year term)

Paul Main
President / General Manager
American Ambulance of Visalia
Visalia, CA

 


Director (2 year term)

Chris Archuleta
CEO
Superior Ambulance Service, Inc
Albuquerque, NM

 

Ethics Committee

Allyson Pharr
Acadian Ambulance

Scott Mickelsen
Bell Ambulance, Inc.

Due 9/13 | AAA Board Candidates, Ethics Committee, & Honorary Members

Nominations Due 9/13 for
Board Candidates, Ethics Committee, and Honorary Members

Board Nominations

In accordance with the Bylaws of the American Ambulance Association, it is time to call for members in good standing that wish to serve the association in one of the following positions:

  • Region I Director
    (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI & VT)
  • Region II Director
    (AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, PA, SC, VA, WV)
  • Region III Director 
    (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, TN, WI)
  • Region IV Director
    (AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, OK, ND, NE, SD, TX)
  • Region V Director
    (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY)
  • Ethics Committee Member 
    (Open to all regions)

Due to recent bylaws changes, this year’s election will result in ten new Region Directors, two in each region. The candidate with the most votes in each region will serve a one-time, three-year term and the candidate with the second most votes in each region will serve a one-time, two-year term.

AAA Regional Director Qualifications

Individuals who wish to be considered for an elected position as Regional Director must:

  • Be the designated representative of an Active Member of the AAA, in good standing;
  • Be ready to devote time and effort to matters which concern the Board of Directors and to actively participate in all Board activities;
  • Be prepared to assist other AAA members with concerns and problems which relate to the ambulance industry and the workings of the AAA; and,
  • Understand that these positions provide no compensation for time or reimbursement for expenses. All travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging, and food are the responsibility of the individual and/or the sponsoring organization.
  • Be willing to comply with all governance policies of the association including, Conflict of Interest, Standards of Conduct, and Board Confidentiality, Public Comment and Lobbying Agreement (PDF).

Regional Director Nomination Process

Step 1: Nomination Form
Step 2: Candidate Questionnaire

Both forms must be completed by the September 13 deadline!

All those who wish to stand for election and believe they are qualified are requested to complete a Nomination Form as well as answer the Candidate Questionnaire, which describes both their qualifications and reasons for wanting to participate in the leadership of the AAA.

(Please note that the Nomination Form may be completed by any designated contact for an AAA Active member for him or herself, or on behalf of another designated contact at a fellow AAA active member service. The Candidate Questionnaire must be completed by the nominee.)

Candidates’ statements and pictures, as well as the position(s) for which they are running, will be listed on the AAA website.

2021 Election Timeline

8/19 | Nominations Open
9/13 | Nominations Close
9/21  | Approval of Candidates by AAA Board of Directors
10/6 | Voting Opens. Election will be paperless. Ballots will be delivered to AAA Active Member primary contacts via email.
10/21 | Voting Closes 11:59pm
11/1 | Election results announced at the AAA membership meeting at the Annual Conference.

About Honorary Membership

AAA accepts written nominations for worthy individuals who have significantly contributed to the accomplishments of the AAA and should therefore be recognized through the granting of Honorary Membership.
Nominate►

About the Ethics Committee

It is the mission of the Ethics Committee to define and distribute guidelines that promote self-imposed high ethical standards for providers of ambulance services. The committee is responsible for hearing complaints and making appropriate recommendations regarding violations of the AAA Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Apply to join►

Nominate a Board Candidate

Nominate an Honorary Member

Join the Ethics Committee

Please contact hello@ambulance.org with any questions. 

EMS1 | EMS advocacy and adaptability with Shawn Baird

EMS1 Interview of AAA President Shawn Baird by AAA Communications Chair Rob Lawrence

As we enter, hopefully, a happier new year, several of our national associations that have been at the forefront of collaborative advocacy efforts and the voices of the EMS profession have undergone planned changes in their leadership.

To welcome in 2021, I sat down, via Zoom, with Shawn Baird, incoming president of the American Ambulance Association and asked him about 2020 and his thoughts on the future of our industry. Shawn is the vice president for rural services with MetroWest Ambulance Family of Companies in Oregon. Shawn spent the last two years serving the AAA as president elect and has been at the center of AAA activity and advocacy.

Continue Reading

Oregon | President Baird Joins OHA COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee

From the Oregon Department of Human Services on December 31

OHA completes recruitment for COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee

27-member group to create sequencing for COVID-19 immunizations

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority has completed recruitment for its Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC) that will determine the sequence in which new COVID-19 vaccines are distributed around the state.

The 27-member committee will advise OHA on vaccine sequencing for phases 1b, 1c and 2 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan, with the goal of prioritizing communities most affected by COVID-19. The COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee will be grounded in OHA’s definition of health equity, which—as cited in this excerpt—is a health system where “all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.”

To advance health equity, and counter unjust COVID-19 inequities, the COVID-19 VAC will:

  • Advise OHA on the ethical principles that should guide decisions on sequencing of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Review data on COVID-19 and immunization inequities.
  • Advise OHA on which workers, high-risk groups or critical populations should be sequenced at what time, taking into consideration where they are located across the state.

The committee roster is as follows:

Aileen Duldulao

Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition

Cherity Bloom-Miller

Siletz Community Health Clinic

Christine Sanders

Rockwood Community Development Corp.

Daysi Bedolla Sotelo

Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste

DeLeesa Meashintubby

Volunteers in Medicine

Debra Whitefoot

Nch’i Wana Housing

Derick Du Vivier

Oregon Health & Science University

Dolores Martinez

Euvalcree

George Conway

Deschutes County Health Services

Kalani Raphael

Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition

Kelly Gonzales

Portland State University

Kristin Milligan

Community Volunteer Network

Laurie Skokan

Providence Health & Services

Leslie Sutton

Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities

Maleka Taylor

The Miracles Club

Maria Loredo

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

Marin Arreola

Interface Network

Muriel DeLaVergne-Brown

Crook County Health Department

Musse Olol

Somali American Council of Oregon

Nannette Carter-Jafri

SEIU Local 503 Indigenous People’s Caucus

Ruth Gulyas

LeadingAge Oregon

Safina Koreishi

Columbia Pacific CCO

Sandra McDonough

Oregon Business & Industry

Shawn Baird

Metro West Ambulance Service

Sue Steward

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Tsering Sherpa

The Rosewood Initiative

Zhenya Abbruzzese

Adventist Health

“The COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee brings tremendous lived and professional experience to guide OHA’s decisions about vaccine sequencing in a way that upholds OHA’s goal to eliminate health inequities by 2030,” said Cara Biddlecom, OHA deputy public health director.

“Members of this committee represent communities that have been unjustly impacted by COVID-19, including tribal communities and communities of color, and OHA is committed to involving community members in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.”

The committee’s first public meeting is Thursday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon. The meeting can be accessed via conference line at 669-254-5252; meeting ID: 160 583 9896.

For more information about the committee, visit the Vaccine Advisory Committee information page. Comments or questions can be emailed to covid.vaccineadvisory@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the US response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

COVID-19 EMS Association Thank You Video

#EMS association leaders say THANK YOU to #paramedics, #EMTs, #dispatchers, and other #MobileHealthcare professionals. Thank you for serving on the very front lines of our nation’s #COVID19 response!

Thank you to Matt Zavadsky for creating this video!

2020 AAA Board of Directors Election Results

The winners of the 2020 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. The term for each position will begin on January 1, 2021. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.

Executive Committee

President-Elect

Randy Strozyk
Senior Vice President- Executive Operations
Global Medical Response
Tukwila, WA

 


Treasurer

Julie Rose
Chief Executive Officer
Community Care Ambulance
Ashtabula, OH

 

 


Secretary

Jamie Pafford-Gresham
President and CEO
Pafford Medical Services
Hope, AR

 

 

Region I

Director (2022)

Mike Addario
Vice President of Operations- Northeast
Global Medical Response
Syracuse, NY


 

Alternate Director

Jim O’Connor
Vice President
Empress EMS
White Plains, NY

 

Region II

 

Director (2022)

Chuck Kearns
Chief Executive Officer
Mercy Ambulance Service
Savannah, GA

 


Alternate Director

Terence Ramotar
Director of Government Affairs
Global Medical Response
Tampa, FL

 

Region III

Director (2022)

 

Kim Godden
Vice President- Legal, Government Relations, and Compliance
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Elmhurst, IL

 

 


 

Alternate Director

*Vacant due to term limit*

 

Region IV

Director (2022)

Asbel Montes (2 years)
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc.
Lafayette, LA

 

Tom Fennell (1 year)
Compliance Officer
Mayo Clinic Ambulance
Rochester, MN

 

 


 

Alternate Director

David Tetrault
Administrator/Chief Executive Officer
St. Francois County Ambulance District
Farmington, MO

 

Region V

Director (2022)


JD Fuiten
Owner & President
Metro West Ambulance Service, Inc.
Hillsboro, OR

 


Alternate Director


Paul Pedersen
Managing Partner
Arizona Ambulance Transport
Sierra Vista, AZ

 

 

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Ethics Committee

Allyn Girard (2022)
Golden Cross Ambulance
Region 1

Moises Segovia (2022)
Life Star EMS
Region 4

 

In Memory of Larry Anderson

With heavy hearts, the American Ambulance Association shares the passing of former board member Larry Anderson. Please see the announcement below from Ron Slagell of Emergent Health Partners.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and former colleagues.

Larry retired in 2006 as the CEO of LifeCare Ambulance, a company he helped found in 1983 when the community’s EMS system was in crisis.  Larry had a lengthy career before his involvement in EMS as a hospital administrator, and was also involved in the creation of Huron Valley Ambulance.
LifeCare served on the Board and Committees of many non-profit organizations including MAAS and the American Ambulance Association, where he championed that ambulance accidents should be referred to as crashes, because most are preventable.
He was committed to his community, was known as an advocate for collaboration, and was passionate about patient care and safety. His contributions to EMS and public health will be long standing well beyond the time he was with us.

EMS Week Message from President Reinert

On May 18, 2020, American Ambulance Association President Aarron Reinert shared a special message with EMS providers from across the nation.

Today, American Ambulance Association President Aarron Reinert shared a special message with #EMS providers from across…

Posted by American Ambulance Association on Monday, May 18, 2020

Happy EMS Week, and thank you for providing your communities with 24/7 on-demand mobile healthcare!

Like & Share on Facebook | Retweet

COVID-19 Message from President Aarron Reinert

Aarron Reinert
President
American Ambulance Association

Dear Fellow AAA Members,

I write to you today during what we all recognize as an extraordinary time for EMS. As we collectively serve on the very front lines of the COVID-19 epidemic, we know that the most challenging times are still ahead. However, I am heartened by the collective resolve of the members of the American Ambulance Association to provide 24/7 on-demand mobile healthcare, no matter the circumstances.

As President of the Association, I am sharing below a brief summary of the AAA’s activities to support its members in the face of this devastating disease.

COVID-19 Content & Approach

  • Coronavirus Working Group—AAA Region III Director Tom Tornstrom, Executive Director of Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance, has been appointed to lead the AAA Coronavirus Working Group. The team includes AAA’s lobbyists, leadership, staff, and members from across the nation. We meet frequently and collaborate constantly to track challenges and find solutions to EMS issues relating to COVID-19 response. Sample topics include:
    • First responder safety and wellness
    • Reimbursement for alternative destinations, treatment in place, and mobile testing
    • Paperwork reduction / waivers
    • Advocating for policies in federal legislation that support mobile healthcare and redacting those that can negatively impact the industry

Members will receive updates via our Digest e-newsletter as we continue to make progress on these and other issues.

  • Representation in Stakeholder Groups—From CMS to Congress to local mayors, AAA has representatives and members working with legislators, regulators, and officials at every level of government to advocate for EMS. Simultaneously, AAA leaders are working to showcase mobile healthcare’s unique strengths and capabilities for addressing the viral threat.
  • Member Newsletter—The frequency of our member Digest e-newsletter has been increased from weekly to near-daily to ensure that we are curating and communicating the most relevant and important information.
  • COVID-19 Archive—All AAA posts related to the virus can be found on our website. A COVID-19 resource link has been added to the top navigation of the AAA website for easy access by providers.

Association Events & Operations

  • Stars of Life—Out of an abundance of caution, the Stars of Life event in Washington has been canceled. All blocked rooms will be canceled and refunded by the hotel, and all attendee registration fees will be refunded by diflucan. Staff is working on the development of meaningful ways to celebrate 2020 Stars outside of the context of an in-person event.
  • Ambulance Cost Education (Cost Collection)—A plan is in place to move ACE Gold cost collection education from face-to-face to an interactive online learning environment. Subscribers can expect additional updates in early April.
  • Headquarters—Association staff is all working remotely whenever possible. Staff is adhering to strict health, hygiene, and social distancing. All order fulfillment, mail processing, and other functions have been moved offsite.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to staff at info@ambulance.org or 202-802-9020 if we can be of any assistance. Thank you again for your service to your communities during this very difficult time.

Aarron Reinert
President, American Ambulance Association

2019 AAA Board of Directors Election Results

The winners of the 2019 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.

Region I

Director (2021)

Jim Finger
Chief Executive Officer/ Administrator
Regional Ambulance Service
Rutland, VT


 

Alternate Director

Reginald Allen
Chief Executive Officer
CHS Mobile Integrated Health Care
Rochester, NY

 

Region II

Director (2021)

Josef Penner
Executive Director
Mecklenburg EMS Agency – Medic
Charlotte, NC

 


Alternate Director

Terence Ramotar
Regional Director
American Medical Response
Tampa, FL

 

Region III

Director (2021)

Wayne Jurecki
Vice President / Chief Operating Officer
Bell Ambulance Service, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI

 


 

Alternate Director

Tom Tornstrom
Executive Director
Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance
La Crosse, WI

 

Region IV

Director (2021)

Jamie Pafford-Gresham
Chief Executive Officer
Pafford Medical Services, Inc.
Hope, AR

 


 

Alternate Director

David Tetrault
Administrator/Chief Executive Officer
St. Francois County Ambulance District
Farmington, MO

 

Region V

Director (2021)

Chris Archuleta
Chief Executive Officer
Superior Ambulance Service, Inc.
Albuquerque, NM


Alternate Director

JD Fuiten
Owner & President
Metro West Ambulance Service, Inc.
Hillsboro, OR

 

2019 AAA Election—Floor Nominations

To All AAA Members,

In accordance with the AAA Bylaws, floor nominations for the Board, Ethics and Honorary Membership positions for the 2019 election will be accepted by the AAA board prior to their approval of the slate of candidates. If you are interested in a position or nominating another member, but have not filled out your nomination form or candidate’s questionnaire, please contact a AAA Board member so they can place your name on the slate prior to the closing of nominations. All floor nominations must be received by 5:00pm Eastern on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. If you have any questions, please contact Maria Bianchi, AAA Executive Director (mbianchi@ambulance.org).

Please follow this link to contact a AAA board member.

Nominations Open – AAA Board of Directors!

Call For Nominations Now Open!

Submit a Nomination

Submit Candidate Questionnaire

In accordance with the Bylaws of the American Ambulance Association, it is time to call for members in good standing that wish to serve on the Board of Directors. The AAA is now seeking candidates for the following positions:
  • Region I Director (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI & VT)
  • Region II Director (AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, PA, SC, VA, WV)
  • Region III Director (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, TN WI)
  • Region IV Director (AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, OK, ND, NE, SD, TX)
  • Region V Director (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

Individuals who wish to be considered for an elected position as Regional Director must:

1. Be the designated representative of an Active member of the AAA, in good standing;

2. Be ready to devote time and effort to matters which concern the Board of Directors and to actively participate in all Board activities;

3. Be prepared to assist other AAA members with concerns and problems which relate to the ambulance industry and the workings of the AAA; and,

4. Understand that these positions provide no compensation for time or reimbursement for expenses. All travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging and food are the responsibility of the individual and/or the sponsoring organization.

5. Be willing to comply with all governance policies of the association including, Conflict of Interest, Standards of Conduct, and Board Confidentiality, Public Comment and Lobbying Agreement (PDF).

6. Have served on at least one (1) Association committee within the past five (5) years prior to his or her declaration as a candidate for election as a Director.

There are no restrictions against an individual running for more than one position in the same election cycle, though no person shall hold more than one position simultaneously.

All those who wish to stand for election and believe they are qualified are requested to complete a Nomination Form as well as answer the Candidate Questionnaire which describes both their qualifications and reasons for wanting to participate in the leadership of the AAA.

(Please note that the may Nomination Form be completed by any designated contact employed by a AAA active member for him or herself, or on behalf of another designated contact employed at a fellow AAA active member service. The Candidate Questionnaire must be completed by the nominee.)

Candidates’ statements and pictures, as well as the position(s) for which they are running for will be listed on the AAA website once their candidacy has been certified by the Nominating Committee.

2019 Election Timeline

  • 8/5 | Nominations Open
  • 9/9 | Nominations Close
  • Week of September 16th Approval of Candidates by AAA Board of Directors
  • 9/30 | Voting Opens
    Election will be paperless and held online. Ballots will be delivered to AAA Active Member primary contacts via email.
  • 10/25 | Voting Closes 11:59pm
  • 11/5 | Election results announced at the 2019 AAA Annual Conference & Tradeshow.

Both forms must be submitted to by Monday, September 9, 2019

Step 1: Nomination Form    Step 2: Candidate Questionnaire

Questions? Please contact acamas@ambulance.org for assistance.

In Memory of Fred Della Valle

The AAA Board is deeply saddened to share the passing of Fred Della Valle, former AAA Regional Director and longtime AMR leader. Our thoughts are with his wife, JoAnn, family, friends, and colleagues.

This page will be updated with his obituary as soon as it becomes available.

Arrangements

Tuesday, February 5, 2019
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wake
Iovanne Funeral Home
11 Wooster Place
New Haven, CT 06511
203-865-8961
www.iovanne.com

Wednesday, February 6, 2019
10:00 am
Mass of the Christian Burial
Saint Therese Church
555 Middletown Ave
North Haven, CT 06473
203-239-1671

Obituary

Read his obituary here.

Fred In His Own Words

In 2016, Fred shared with AAA a little bit about his life and professional journey.

President’s Perspective January 2019

Dear Fellow AAA Members,

Happy New Year from the American Ambulance Association! We enter this new year ready to rise together as an industry to face the mobile healthcare’s challenges and opportunities.

Advocacy Update

The AAA worked hard in the 115th Congress to achieve many legislative and regulatory wins for the industry. Thanks to the AAA Board, volunteer leaders, staff and consultants, and members alike, we were able to accomplish many of our goals to improve payment policies and overall regulations that will benefit AAA members and the industry as a whole. Last year, the AAA ensured the inclusion and passage of a 5-year extension of the ambulance Medicare add-on payments through December 31, 2022 as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. The AAA also successfully pushed our preferred method for data cost collection using a survey which is the most likely to provide useful data for future payment reform as well as be the least burdensome on ambulance service providers.

In coordination with particular AAA members, the AAA worked with Senator Collins to include report language to accompany the FY2019 Senate VA Appropriations bill which directs the VA to use the prudent layperson standard for determining emergency ambulance services coverage. The AAA also supported the efforts of the IAFC and NAEMT in passage of language from the SIREN Act (S. 2830, H.R. 5429) that reauthorizes the Rural EMS Grant program. These grants will now provide funds up to $200,000 for training, equipment, and personnel retention in rural areas. The grants also require a 10% contribution by the grant recipient. While the AAA had advocated that language be revised to ensure small rural for-profit providers would still be able to apply for grants, we are pleased to see this program reauthorized. We appreciate the leadership role of the IAFC and NAEMT in pushing the issue.

Looking Ahead

With the 116th Congress now in session, the AAA has ambitious plans to build on our successes this year. Following passage of the extension of the Medicare ambulance add-on payments, the AAA has successfully worked with CMS and the RAND corporation in the development of the cost collection system in order to ensure that the result is feasible for our industry. The AAA has established itself and our members as a main stakeholder throughout the cost collection development process and look forward to remaining involved this year.

The AAA is eager to introduce a larger piece of legislation that will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the industry. This legislation will address issues such as inadequate reimbursement, the need for innovative payment models, the lack of equitable polices, and more.

The AAA is also looking at re-introducing legislation again this Congress that did not pass last year. This would include legislation to restructure the offset included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 to pay for the 5-year extension of Medicare add-on payments and the Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services Act (VREASA). Please look for an additional in-depth update on our legislative priorities in the coming weeks.

As you can see, the AAA has a busy legislative year ahead. With many important legislative priorities, we will continue to lean on our members for their support and encourage you all to continue to build relationships with your Members of Congress.

Ambulance Cost Education (ACE)

New federal cost data collection requirements for ambulance services go into effect January 1, 2020. To help ambulance services prepare, our expert faculty has developed comprehensive Ambulance Cost Education (ACE) webinars, regional workshops, and online resources. With AAA ACE, your service will have all the tools needed to comply with federally mandated cost collection. Don’t wait! An ACE subscription is the turn-key solution to prepare for ambulance cost collection. Learn more about our affordable packages today.

Stars of Life

Each year, the American Ambulance Association showcases the value of ambulance services across the country through the Stars of Life program. I look forward to seeing many of you this June in Washington D.C., as we shine a light on the importance of ambulance services to our healthcare network. Stars and their guests, accompanied by executive hosts, are celebrated in a series of events in our nation’s capital. Nominate the Stars of your service today, and let’s help AAA celebrate the best in EMS! (Early Bird registration rates close March 31).

Renew Your Support of AAA

Has your organization renewed its AAA membership? Your continued support is critically important as AAA fights for fair ambulance reimbursement. Membership also include benefits such as free use of the Savvik Buying Group, complimentary CISM services, and access to industry experts on Medicare, operations, and HR.

If you have already renewed, please accept our most sincere thanks. If you have not yet submitted payment for this year’s membership, I encourage you to renew online or reach out to staff at info@ambulance.org for assistance.

AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show

After many years in Las Vegas, we are excited to take the 2019 AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show to bustling Nashville, Tennessee. AAA Annual is the can’t-miss educational opportunity for ambulance leaders interested in bringing excellence in reimbursement, operations, and human resources to their services! I hope that you will join me and hundreds of our colleagues for networking, learning, and fun November 4-6Early bird registration is open now!

Thank You, Members!

I am thankful to our members who dedicate their time and talent to AAA’s board, committees, and task forces. It is your commitment and passion that allows AAA to move mobile healthcare forward.

Aarron Reinert
President
American Ambulance Association

Obituary for Steve Williamson

It is with deep sadness we share the passing of beloved family man, friend, colleague, and former AAA President Steve Williamson.

H. Stephen Williamson

Obituary

H. Stephen Williamson, 68, of Hope, Arkansas, formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away suddenly on November 3, 2018 at his home.

Preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Williamson, father, Hershel Williamson, and first wife, Pat Williamson, Steve is survived by his best friend and wife Rebecca Williamson (Smith); his two adored daughters Jennifer Thomas (Jason) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Ashley Schneeberg (Matt) of Jenks, Oklahoma; his brother, Mark Williamson (Theresa) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and his five step children, Blake Burruss (Rachel), Krista Sands, Holly Chapman (Joel), Sarah Lyn Smith and Jay Darrin Smith. He was an exceptional grandfather to his beautiful grandchildren and step grandchildren, Asa and Will Thomas, Kate and Ava Schneeberg, Barrett Burruss, Addysion Sands, Brycelyn Wiedel, and Gabe Chapman. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews, a niece, and his aunt, Blanche Wilson.

H. Stephen Williamson was the president and chief executive officer of Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) since the Authority began operations in 1978, and served for over 39 years. Under Williamson’s guidance, EMSA grew into Oklahoma’s largest EMS provider and one of the country’s most effective ambulance systems, achieving the standing of top 1% of ambulance services nationwide with accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Due to his visionary leadership and passion for service, EMSA provided outstanding patient care, saving countless lives throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and the surrounding counties. Prior to his tenure at EMSA, he served as administrator of Enid Memorial Hospital. He was a graduate of the University of Tulsa, earning a B.S. in Finance, as well as a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to his death, Steve was the Chief Financial Officer at Pafford EMS, the largest ambulance service provider in Arkansas.

Steve was a revered national leader in EMS. He held numerous national and state leadership positions including President of the American Ambulance Association, President of the Coalition of Advanced Emergency Medical Systems, Governor’s Appointee to the Oklahoma Emergency Response Systems Advisory Council, and President of the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class XX.

Family will receive those wishing to pay their respects at a lunch and visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at Fletcher Hall (attached to the church). Services will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. at Parish of Christ the King Catholic Church, 1520 South Rockford Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120. Internment at Calvary Cemetery 9101 South Harvard Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s honor may be made to Bishop Kelly High School, 3905 South Hudson Avenue Tulsa, OK 74135 and the Code Green Campaign, P.O. Box 15365, Spokane Valley, Washington, 99215. Code Green advocates for mental health-, PTSD-, and suicide-awareness for EMS.

Steve touched countless hearts over the course of his extraordinary life. He will be forever loved and missed by all his family, friends, and colleagues.

President’s Perspective October 2018

Dear Fellow AAA Members,

Aarron Reinert
President
American Ambulance Association

Since I assumed the office of president last month at our Annual Conference, I have been deeply moved by the selfless actions of ambulance services across the nation as they responded to natural disasters. As always, EMS answered the call to help with humanity, efficiency, and professionalism. My thoughts are with those impacted by the recent storms as well as the thousands of EMTs and Paramedics currently helping with Hurricane Michael recovery.

Annual Conference & Trade Show

Thanks to each of you who attended, exhibited at, or sponsored this year’s impressive Annual Conference & Trade Show. We appreciate your support and participation—it could not have been such a success without you. Once again, congratulations to our AMBY and AAA award winners! I would also like to welcome our new board members and thank those who continue to serve. At the conference, I took a few minutes to share my thoughts about the future of our association. If you missed it, you can catch up via video or essay on the AAA site.

We can’t wait to see you in Nashville next November 4-6, 2019! Please check back at www.annual.ambulance.org early next year for more attendee information.

Opioids

The AAA continues to press policy initiatives with Congress and the Administration that are important to our members. The AAA is pleased to report that language we supported on grant funding for opioid protection training for first responders has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is now headed to the President’s desk. The Senate passed the Opioid Crisis Response Act with a bipartisan vote of 98-1 in the last necessary needed action before being signed into law by the President. The impact of this legislation on the ambulance industry includes providing resources and training so that first responders and other key community sectors, including emergency medical services agencies, can appropriately protect themselves from exposure to drugs such as fentanyl, carfentanil and other dangerous licit and illicit drugs. The legislation also allows the Department of Labor to award grants to states that have been heavily impacted by the opioid crisis to assist local workforce boards and local partnerships in closing the gaps in the workforce for mental health care and substance use disorder. Silagra ED pill http://valleyofthesunpharmacy.com/silagra/

Dialysis

The AAA is also working on legislation that would restructure the additional cuts dialysis transport reimbursement that went into effect on October 1, 2018. Congress included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 an offset to go along with the extension of the add-ons that will cut reimbursement for BLS nonemergency transports to and from dialysis centers by an additional 13%. This will be on top of the existing 10% reduction. The NEATSA Act (H.R.6269) by Congressman LaHood (R-IL) and Congresswoman Sewell (D-AL) would restructure the offset so that a majority of the additional reduction would be focused on those ambulance service agencies in which 50% or more of their volume are repetitive BLS nonemergency transports. In the Senate, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) had previously agreed to drop a companion Bill. Thanks to the help of the AAA’s members in Alabama, Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) just agreed to co-sponsor this legislation with Senator Cassidy. The AAA will announce the Senate Bill number as soon as it is introduced.

Veterans Affairs

The AAA has also been working on improving the timely reimbursement of emergency ambulance services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Currently, the VA is the only major payer that does not follow the prudent layperson standard. This happens despite this standard being included in their own regulations regarding reimbursement for emergency care for veterans.

To help address this problem, Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-06) introduced H.R. 1445 the Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services Act (VREASA). VREASA would clarify the prudent layperson standard and should hopefully correct the issue of improperly denied claims or delays in reimbursement.

The AAA continues to work closely with Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) to get a similar Bill introduced in the Senate during the next Congress. The AAA and representatives from Maine also met with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and her staff who helped include some critical language related to this issue in the Senate’s FY2019 MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill (S. 3024). The language can be found in the Senate’s Committee Report on that Bill. This is a crucial step in the right direction to ensure that our veterans receive the highest quality care and that ambulance service providers are adequately reimbursed in a timely manner.

The AAA’s data analyst estimates that since ambulance services are already covered services that there should be no score (cost) for this Bill. Additionally, if the Congressional Budget Office were to account for those claims that the VA is improperly denying, the estimated cost would be $270 million over ten years.

Cost Data Collection

The continues to work closely with Congress and the CMS on the creation and implementation of the new cost collection system for ambulance services. The AAA spent the last four years thinking about how CMS should collect data from ambulance service suppliers and providers, and how we can assist in helping services prepare and respond to the cost data survey. We’re developing material and resources to help ambulance service suppliers and providers prepare for being selected to provide their cost data. Though many of the finer specifics of the framework and data elements are still to be confirmed by CMS, the AAA has an in-depth and insider understanding of the anticipated process and elements.

For information on the AAA resources, please access the ambulance cost data collection webpage at www.ambulancereports.org. The AAA will announce new developments in the cost collection system via email. Although the possibility of your organization being selected to provide data is still a couple of years away, it’s important that you start preparing now.

At the AAA’s Annual Conference & Tradeshow last month in Las Vegas, CMS, through its contractor the RAND Corporation, convened a focus group where they selected several AAA members to talk directly with the contractor. The discussion centered around characteristics of ambulance services that matter for determining costs. The group also talked about how data is currently captured at the state and local levels, as well as how data is tracked within ambulance services. There was also a lot of discussion about the importance of standardizing data elements and not relying upon different state or local definitions, which could confound the data and make it impossible to compare costs across states. CMS is now reaching out to others in the industry for input. If you receive an email or a phone call from RAND Corporation, please respond. If you have questions about, or would like assistance with this project, please contact Tristan North at tnorth@ambulance.org.

SIREN Act

Lastly, the AAA is the working to ensure that the SIREN Act (S. 2830H.R. 5429) which would reauthorize the Rural EMS Grant program and makes all provider types eligible to apply for these grants.

Membership Renewal Time

Membership is the fuel that powers our advocacy engine and enables us to offer the innovative benefits your service has come to rely on. If you have already renewed, please accept our most sincere thanks for your continued support. If you have not yet submitted payment for this year’s membership, I encourage you to renew online or reach out to staff at info@ambulance.org for assistance. AAA needs your support through membership to continue our industry-advancing work.

Thank you for entrusting me to serve as the president of your association. It is my pleasure to lead such a talented cadre of dedicated healthcare professionals. I wish you a happy Halloween and a wonderful holiday season.

Aarron Reinert
President
American Ambulance Association

 

 

 

 

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