EMS Airway Contributors

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Memphis, TN

Scott E Kansky, BS, FP-C, MICP, is the accreditation coordinator for Atlantic Mobile Health. He brings 30 years of experience as a paramedic and 15 years as a flight paramedic.

Stephen Wood, MS, ACNP-BS, is a nurse practitioner and works in emergency medicine at Steward Health System in Massachusetts. He’s a fellow at the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics and a contributor for the Petrie-Flom Center blog Bill of Health.

Steve Vernak, EMT-P, is a paramedic working in a private ambulance in Cleveland, Ohio. He expresses his experiences in life and EMS through paintings and music.

Steven C. LeCroy, MA, CRT, EMT-P, is a retired captain/paramedic from St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue, an adjunct instructor at St. Petersburg College and a 40-year respiratory therapist. He has also been an expert witness in over 100 EMS cases across the U.S.

Terry Riddle, BSN, BHS, FP-C, works for Parker County Hospital District EMS as a critical care paramedic and supervisor. He, along with a supportive team, engage in airway and critical care training, while also partnering with University of North Texas Health Science Center on prehospital medical research.

Thomas Engel is an EM/EMS physician. He is an Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin and an assistant medical director for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency a Management. He serves in the Army National Guard as a physician in the 54th SFAB. 

Thomas Krakeel, NRP, BS, is a paramedic crew chief and acting station supervisor for Dorchester County (SC) EMS.

Tristan Coomer is an experienced healthcare professional with a diverse skill set. He holds certifications as an advanced care paramedic, advanced care community paramedic, firefighter, educator and has the opportunity of sharing his experience and knowledge globally.

Troy Valente (pronounced "va-len-tee") was born and raised in California and has lived in Northern Colorado since 2001 with his wife (a NICU nurse) and two kids. Troy started his EMS career in 2002. becoming a paramedic in 2006. Prior to that, he attended Pepperdine University and The University of Northern Colorado, where he received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a sports medicine minor.

Feel free to reach out directly to Troy via email: [email protected].