The Center for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center serves as an expert resource for current EMS systems in their quest to improve outcomes for cardiac arrest, trauma and other emergencies.

By uniting the efforts of the pre-hospital EMS providers with the hospital-based team at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, the Ohio State Center for EMS has been charged with providing the community the best opportunity for survival and quality of life in emergency situations.

Education
Medical Direction
Online CEU's
Outreach
Research
Time Critical Diagnoses (TCD)

Education

Center for EMS has made education a significant priority, with the long term goal of improving patient outcomes through enhanced EMS training and expertise. To this end, the center provides ongoing training and education to medical directors, EMS personnel and the community at large.

For more information or to schedule a training session for your unit, please contact the Center for EMS at 614-293-0532 or by email at centerforems@osumc.edu.

Community

The Center for EMS supports community education through the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State by providing outreach and education that enable community members to facilitate improved health care. Courses and screenings offered include bystander CPR, and stroke and heart disease prevention
Learn more about how Ohio State can help you live a healthier life.
EMS Medical Directors

The Center for EMS offers specialized programs focusing on career and skills development, including an annual leadership conference and Ohio Fire and EMS Expo, bringing the most up-to-date research and lecturers to Columbus.

We are also the only medical center in central Ohio offering an EMS Fellowship that prepares future physicians for careers in EMS medical directorship.
EMS Providers

We have been providing EMS with specialty training and conferences for a number of years. Our close relationship with the signature programs at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center allows us to offer innovative training and conferences year-round. The experts who present these conferences not only are leaders in central Ohio, but are the national leaders spearheading research to improve patient outcomes for time-critical diseases like STEMI, stroke, trauma and burn.

We also provide online CEUs explaining the latest, most advanced training and technology for emergency situations.

Medical Direction

The Center provides comprehensive medical direction, quality improvement and systems design services for local EMS agencies and the communities they serve. This vital role helps to improve the quality of care patients receive in the pre-hospital setting.

The EMS physicians at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center are board certified emergency physicians with extensive training and EMS experience. Each has completed the requirements set forth by the State of Ohio for the position of medical director and has knowledge and training in the following areas:

Medical aspects of care consistent with the mission profile of both ground and air ambulance services
Aspects of ground service EMS units, including pertinent regulatory and safety issues, vehicle capabilities, and equipment requirements and performance
Operational aspects of communications equipment and dispatch procedures
Training in pre-hospital and inter-hospital transport issues and laws
Medical control and medical command issues, such as protocols, standing orders, triage and the capabilities of care providers
Quality improvement theories and applications

We currently provide medical direction to the following:

Clinton Township Fire Department
Columbus State Community College EMS Program
MedFlight
National Trail Raceway
Newark Fire Department
Worthington Fire Department
Upper Arlington Fire Department
Jerome Township Division of Fire
Whitehall Division of Fire
Delaware County EMS

Online CEU's

The Center for EMS is pleased to offer continuing education courses online for EMS professionals. Check back often for newly released courses.

Access online CEUs

Outreach

Cooking with Fire

We're proud to partner with the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Mobile Education Kitchen for our Cooking with Fire events. The mobile kitchen was purchased through the James Fund for Life’s Celebration for Life program, which supports cancer research at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Each month, we bring nutrition services chefs and nutrition experts to different stations to educate our EMS providers on healthy, cancer-preventive foods and show you quick, easy ways to prepare them.

Interested in having Cooking with Fire at your station? Contact us at CenterforEMS@osumc.edu.

Learn more about the Mobile Education Kitchen

Research

The center conducts clinical pre-hospital research, and facilitates interdepartmental research focusing on pre-hospital care, including sudden cardiac arrest and trauma. We also provide opportunities for EMS involvement in clinical laboratories, research and other services throughout Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

We are currently involved in a variety of research projects, including:

Airway Management

We are spearheading research on identifying the characteristics of paramedics who excel in comprehensive pre-hospital airway management. The research work is funded by a grant that has allowed for the enrollment and assessment of more than 400 paramedics. This research is conducted in The Center for EMS Mobile Simulation Laboratory, placing paramedics in real life, difficult-airway scenarios. With assistance from the Columbus Division of Fire, Worthington Fire Department, Hamilton Township Fire Department, Grandview Heights Fire Department, Genoa Township Fire Department, Westerville Fire Department, Mifflin Township Fire Department, Violet Township Fire Department, and Prairie Township Fire Department, we are able to better understand the educational requirements necessary to become an airway expert.
Ambulance Staffing Patterns
Evaluation of Pre-Hospital Screening for Stroke Intervention

Recently, three New England Journal of Medicine articles described the benefit of catheter interventions for stroke management that have led to significant neurological improvements for patients with large-vessel occlusive strokes. The Center for EMS, in conjunction with the Central Ohio Trauma System and the Columbus Division of Fire, is seeking to determine whether pre-hospital screening of stroke patients can lead to early identification of patients who may benefit from these catheter interventions.
Increasing Bystander CPR for Cardiac Arrest in High Risk Neighborhoods

Neurologically intact survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is tied to the performance of bystander CPR. However, there are high-risk neighborhoods throughout the United States where bystander CPR rates are low and mortality high. With the assistance of the American Heart Association and a grant from the United Way, we have launched a multicenter trial utilizing the HANDS program, which defines high-risk neighborhoods and teaches CPR through a train-the-trainer model. This novel teaching technique has allowed the community to spearhead the training of CPR within its neighborhoods.
Increasing the Performance of Bystander CPR

Neurologically intact survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is tied to the performance of bystander CPR, but it is unknown what factors motivate bystanders to perform CPR for a stranger or family member. The Center for EMS is conducting research on these factors and whether they are tied to gender, race, education or training (watching a video or taking a class).
Optimizing Pre-Hospital Ventilation

The Center for EMS is also evaluating the relationship between airway management and pre-hospital patient ventilation, with the long-term goal of optimizing patient outcomes through improved oxygenation and perfusion. This research also is conducted in The Center for EMS Mobile Simulation Laboratory, which places paramedics in real life, difficult-airway scenarios.
Pre-Hospital Therapeutic Hypothermia

Due to changing paradigms for the use of pre-hospital therapeutic hypothermia, the Center for EMS became concerned about the safety of this intervention in our community. In conjunction with Columbus Division of Fire, we have evaluated the outcomes and complications of patients who suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and received therapeutic hypothermia. The first study in this area was recently published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine.
Tele-EMS Medical Direction

Critical-care transports of acutely ill patients are highly challenging and may require time-sensitive treatments for the best patient outcome. The Center for EMS, with MedFlight of Ohio, is working on delivering specialized medical direction to the EMS bedside through the use of Tele-EMS, essentially allowing physician specialists to be in the back of ambulances with critical care teams through real-time video feeds. The physicians can even to listen to the heart and lungs while the ambulance is en route and can direct medical care for the patient.

Heartmobile Project

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is a pioneer in developing Emergency Medical Services. In 1969, Dr. James Warren, a Ohio State physician, initiated the Heartmobile project in cooperation with the Columbus Division of Fire. Warren demonstrated that patients could be successfully resuscitated from cardiac arrest in an out-of-hospital setting. He went on to demonstrate that firefighters could be trained in advanced resuscitation techniques.

The Center for EMS is dedicated to maintaining our tie to this important piece of Columbus and national history and is a major contributor to the Heartmobile project, focused on the restoration of this landmark.

Learn more about the Heartmobile project.

Time Critical Diagnoses (TCD)

Burn

The Ohio State Comprehensive Burn Center is the only adult burn center in central Ohio. Our team of specialists treats a variety of burns ranging from minor to severe for more than 700 patients each year. We provide inpatient and outpatient care for burn wounds, complex burn management and serious skin conditions. For more information or non-emergency treatment, call 614-293-BURN (2876).

Learn more

Cancer

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) houses the nation’s first fully-integrated cancer emergency department. This allows cancer patients with urgent, sometimes life-threatening, issues access to highly skilled teams of oncology and emergency medicine experts.

Learn more

Heart and Vascular

The Heart and Vascular Emergency Program optimizes treatment of emergent, time-critical and life-threatening cardiovascular conditions. One of the first of its kind in the nation, the level 1 program facilitates rapid response to aortic dissection, aortic rupture, limb ischemia, pulmonary embolism and STEMI. Utilizing a protocol for rapid activation of surgical teams and resources, the level 1 system focuses the entire staff in a coordinated response to these time-critical emergencies.

Learn more

Sepsis

Ohio State’s emergency team provides rapid assessment and treatment of sepsis and septic shock. Our sepsis alert system allows EMS to activate an alert from the field and expedite life-saving interventions, including administration of antibiotics. This early detection and rapid treatment is critical to saving patients’ lives.

STEMI

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) is available at Ohio State Ross Heart Hospital as well as at East Hospital. At either location, a “STEMI alert” from the field will result in immediate activation, around the clock, of the cardiac catheterization lab intervention team. A new program for our EMS providers allows them to obtain CEU credit on-site, in both of our cath labs, for observing a cardiac catheterization procedure.

Learn more

Stroke

At the Ohio State Comprehensive Stroke Center, our physicians, nurses and researchers are at the forefront of stroke care, developing and delivering the most advanced and innovative treatment techniques. A stroke alert is called by paramedics while the patient is in transport to our facilities in order to activate our in-house stroke team, available around-the-clock, to ensure that we are ready to evaluate the patient upon arrival.

Learn more

Telestroke

With more than 20 hospital partners, Ohio State’s Telestroke Collaborative program enhances quality and efficiency of stroke care, around the clock, to patients, allowing immediate access to board certified vascular neurologists who provide real-time consultation to hospitals across Ohio.

Trauma

Designated as a level 1 trauma center by the American College of Surgeons, Ohio State is widely recognized for its expertise in the care of trauma patients, with on-site physicians in more than 40 medical specialties. We offer specialized care services, including the only emergency department in central Ohio with hyperbaric medicine facilities specifically for emergency care. A one-call referral hotline, 614-366-8111, facilitates rapid activation of appropriate surgical teams and resources.

Learn more

Our Team

Michael Dick, MD

Medical Director, Ohio State Center for EMS; Medical Director, Emergency Department - East Hospital; Medical Director, Upper Arlington Fire Department

Dr. Dick started his career as a medic and is a long-standing leader in the regional EMS community, serving previously as medical director for the Upper Arlington Fire Department. Over the course of his career, Dr. Dick has served on multiple Central Ohio Trauma System (COTS) committees, including the Emergency Services Advisory Board, the stroke committee and the STEMI committee. Dr. Dick earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado prior to completing a master’s degree in anatomic pathology at The Ohio State University. He then earned his MD and completed both his emergency medicine residency and critical care fellowship at Ohio State.

Erin Farrell

Director of Nursing, Emergency Services; Director, Center for EMS

Stephanie Sturges

Nurse Manager, Emergency Services; Manager, Center for EMS

Armin Rahmanian, MHA

Administrative Director

Armin completed his undergraduate degree in neuroscience and biopsychology at Oberlin College, and an MHA at The Ohio State University. Armin currently serves as the chief operating officer for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital and the associate executive director for University Hospital. In these senior leadership roles, Armin is responsible for daily operations within both hospitals as well as serving in a leadership role for key strategic centers of excellence including the Heart & Vascular Center.

Connie McCarthy

Senior Outreach Coordinator

Connie received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Health and Consumer Sciences from The Ohio State University. She has served in multiple roles since joining the medical center in 2006, working clinically as a registered nurse in the Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Unit and most recently as the senior quality manager of Critical Care and Neurosciences. Connie’s tremendous experience in process and performance improvement will greatly enhance the efforts of Ohio State’s Center for EMS.

Travis Webb

Outreach Coordinator - Education and Communications

Prior to joining Ohio State, Travis served as communications specialist and transport coordinator for MedFlight of Ohio, and also served as an intermediate emergency medical technician. He is a graduate of Columbus State Community College and is currently studying biology as a pre-medicine major at The Ohio State University.

Karla Short

Education Outreach Coordinator

She began her journey in EMS as a student at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and an employee at St. Ann’s Hospital in 1995. As an EMT and paramedic, she has worked in and out of the hospital setting and with both private and public EMS services. She quickly discovered a passion for EMS education and has now amassed over 20 years of experience as an EMS education and program administrator. Karla holds an undergraduate degree in business administration, a Master of Education with a focus on instructional design for online learning, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management.

Our Faculty

Jeffrey Caterino, MD, MPH

Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine

Dr. Caterino, who joined Ohio State in 2004, is also professor of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine, associate dean for Research in the College of Medicine, vice chair of Research for the Department of Emergency Medicine and a member of the college’s Compensation Committee.

An accomplished clinician-scientist, Dr. Caterino has more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, serves as a national leader in research and is a strong supporter of women and people underrepresented in medicine (URM).

View my bio

Eric J. Adkins, MD

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Emergency Medicine

Dr. Adkins is the medical director of the Emergency Department at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center on main campus. He completed his medical degree at West Virginia University in 2002, followed by a five-year residency program for both emergency medicine and internal medicine at Christiana Care Health System in Delaware, where he served as chief resident in his final year of training. In 2010 he completed a three-year fellowship in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, having served as chief fellow.

Ashley Larrimore, MD

Co-Medical Director, MedFlight of Ohio: Medical Director, Newark Fire Department; Medical Director, Whitehall Division of Fire; Asst. Medical Director, Clinton Township Fire Department

Dr. Larrimore completed her emergency medicine residency at The University of Massachusetts Medical Center and her fellowship in emergency medical services at the University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Fire Department/UC Aircare and Mobile Care. Larrimore is particularly interested in air medical transport and paramedic education.

Ernest Mazzaferri Jr., MD, FACC, FSCAI

Medical Director, Ohio State Ross Heart Hospital

Dr. Mazzaferri is a high-volume interventional cardiologist who specializes in radial catheterization. An active participant in the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program at Ohio State, he implanted the first ventricular partitioning device (VPD) in the United States in March 2008. Mazzaferri also is chair for the Central Ohio Mission Lifeline STEMI Accelerator Program, served a term on the American Heart Association’s STEMI Science Advisory Task Force and for many years chaired the Mission Lifeline: Ohio Hospital Working group.

Ashish Panchal, MD, PhD

Medical Director, Delaware County EMS; Assistant Medical Director, Worthington Division of Fire and EMS

Dr. Panchal began his career as a researcher, completing a PhD at Case Western Reserve University. Following this, he went to The Ohio State University College of Medicine for medical school, then completed a residency in emergency medicine and was elected chief resident. A board certified emergency physician, Dr. Panchal practiced at the University of Arizona prior to joining Ohio State. His interests include undergraduate medical education, emergency ultrasonography and cardiovascular research on cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Craig Key, MD

Medical Director, Clinton Township Fire Department; Medical Director, National Trail Raceway; Medical Director; Ohio Fire Academy

Douglas Rund, MD

Professor Emeritus; Medical Director, City of Worthington Division of Fire and EMS; Medical Director, Columbus State Community College - Emergency Medical Services

Dr. Rund is the founder of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. A graduate of Yale University and Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Rund served as chief of Emergency Medicine from 1978-2011. He has served as president of the OSU Physicians and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the OSU Hospital System and Board of Directors of the OSU Health Plan. He is a fellow of the National Association of EMS Physicians and a member of the editorial board of Prehospital Emergency Care, the official journal of NAEMSP.

Center for EMS

Dedicated to providing the resources needed for EMS to deliver the best pre-hospital care

Education

Community

EMS Medical Directors

EMS Providers

Medical Direction

Online CEU's

Outreach

Outreach

Research

Airway Management

Ambulance Staffing Patterns

Evaluation of Pre-Hospital Screening for Stroke Intervention

Increasing Bystander CPR for Cardiac Arrest in High Risk Neighborhoods

Increasing the Performance of Bystander CPR

Optimizing Pre-Hospital Ventilation

Pre-Hospital Therapeutic Hypothermia

Tele-EMS Medical Direction

Heartmobile Project

Time Critical Diagnoses (TCD)

Burn

Cancer

Heart and Vascular

Sepsis

STEMI

Stroke

Telestroke

Trauma

Our Team

Michael Dick, MD

Medical Director, Ohio State Center for EMS; Medical Director, Emergency Department - East Hospital; Medical Director, Upper Arlington Fire Department

Erin Farrell

Director of Nursing, Emergency Services; Director, Center for EMS

Stephanie Sturges

Nurse Manager, Emergency Services; Manager, Center for EMS

Armin Rahmanian, MHA

Administrative Director

Connie McCarthy

Senior Outreach Coordinator

Travis Webb

Outreach Coordinator - Education and Communications

Karla Short

Education Outreach Coordinator

Our Faculty

Jeffrey Caterino, MD, MPH

Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine

Eric J. Adkins, MD

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Emergency Medicine

Ashley Larrimore, MD

Co-Medical Director, MedFlight of Ohio: Medical Director, Newark Fire Department; Medical Director, Whitehall Division of Fire; Asst. Medical Director, Clinton Township Fire Department

Ernest Mazzaferri Jr., MD, FACC, FSCAI

Medical Director, Ohio State Ross Heart Hospital

Ashish Panchal, MD, PhD

Medical Director, Delaware County EMS; Assistant Medical Director, Worthington Division of Fire and EMS

Craig Key, MD

Medical Director, Clinton Township Fire Department; Medical Director, National Trail Raceway; Medical Director; Ohio Fire Academy

Douglas Rund, MD

Professor Emeritus; Medical Director, City of Worthington Division of Fire and EMS; Medical Director, Columbus State Community College - Emergency Medical Services

James Ryan, MD

Medical Director, Memorial Tournament/Muirfield

Leo Boggs, MD

Medical Director, Jerome Township Division of Fire

EMS Resources

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