Elizabeth Travis (VA)

Director of Community Relations & Partnerships

Elizabeth has dedicated herself to advancing and supporting the EMS profession since she started volunteering as an EMT in 2016. Over the course of her career, she has held volunteer leadership positions as well as paid positions as a paramedic. Currently, Elizabeth is completing a doctorate in global health with the hopes of using her knowledge to support and advance the EMS profession. Because of her experience and friendships in the service, she has personally felt the pain of loss and the struggles of unmet mental health needs in EMS. She is dedicated to removing the stigma of speaking about mental health among providers and supporting programs that bring a voice to mental well-being for providers.

Amy Wright (UT/CO)

Director of Peer Support

Amy Wright's career in emergency medical services has been marked by her dedication to patient care and education. As she advances her expertise by pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix, her experience serves as the backbone of her commitment to mental health. Amy has forged a robust path as a Flight Paramedic, ensuring critical care in the most demanding situations, and as an EMS Education Specialist in Utah, shaping the future of EMS training to the highest standards.Her roles have ranged from caring for patients in some of the most rugged back country areas of the Intermountain West to developing EMS training programs that meet stringent regulatory requirements. With numerous certifications, combined with a deep proficiency in educational technology platforms, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her current focus on mental health. Her goal is to integrate her comprehensive background in EMS with her passion for counseling, to support and elevate the well-being of those on the front lines.

Eddie Rice (OK)

Director of State Ambassador Program

Dan Bergman (CO)

CHAPLAIN

Brett Zingarelli (VA)

ASST. DIR.  PEER SUPPORT /

STATE AMBASSADOR

I started in EMS in 1996 as an EMT in high school. Went in the Army in 1998 as a medic. I've worked for the City of Wilmington, DE through various contracted agencies since 2002. I also have worked various side jobs as a Paramedic and a chef. I've been involved in CISM for about 20 years. I completed all of the ICISF CISM classes and got my board certification in CISM in 2022. My full time job is mental health (Peer support), community outreach, and education supervisor for my agency.

Colleen Githens (MD)

LEAD STATE AMBASSADOR

Chris Zepeda (TX)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Joshua Carlile (ND)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Hey there, I'm Josh Carlile, your friendly Paramedic stationed in the frozen tundra of Minot, North Dakota. I crash-landed here in 2019 after a lifetime of dodging snowballs in Denver, Colorado. About a decade ago, I was on a quest for a new life path and stumbled upon EMS – the unexpected adventure I never knew I needed. In my adventure, education has become my compass, always pointing me toward the pursuit of knowledge. I've evolved into a staunch advocate, tirelessly working to enhance my skills and support the growth of my friends in our field. Recently, I've unearthed a profound calling for mental health advocacy, recognizing a stark lack of awareness and resources for frontline responders in my community. I'm resolute in my commitment to bridging this gap and fostering a healthier environment for all.

Nick Carson (VT)

PEER SUPPORT / STATE AMBASSADOR

Jerin Warkentin (KY)

PEER SUPPORT / STATE AMBASSADOR

Jerin Warkentin is a full-time Firefighter / Paramedic at Mayfield Fire Department and Mayfield - Graves County EMS. Jerin also works part-time as a Paramedic in his hometown of Murray, KY. His interest in EMS was validated while volunteering at Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center, a Level I trauma center, and enrolled in an EMT class, kickstarting his EMS career. He continues to advance his career, and now a Fire Instructor I, he enjoys sharing his aptitude for learning and quest for knowledge.

Kenzie Christensen (ID)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Samuel Ortiz (TX)

PEER SUPPORT / STATE AMBASSADOR

T.J. Prieur (MD)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Katy Hamilton (NV)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Katy Hamilton has been a nurse for 9 years and is currently on the flight line as a flight nurse. The last 5 years of flying, she has worked on both rotor and fixed wing assets in rural Nevada with completing over 400 flights in her career. The desire to fly started when she got her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) while in nursing school, and this spurred the love for the fast-paced, autonomous, and intense environment of providing critical care to patients. She still has her EMT, as that was one of her biggest achievements when she was just getting into the field, running calls in rural towns within Minnesota and having to call the rotor herself for certain patients. Katy also takes time to mentor colleagues and precepts new flight providers, demonstrating a dedication to professional development and emotional intelligence.

Christopher Cox (NH)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Christopher Cox is a well-traveled New Hampshire native, with lasting commitment to his current and previous roles as a Firefighter Paramedic. He currently serves roles with the Goffstown, NH Fire Department, East Windsor, CT EMS, and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Christopher also serves abroad as a federal contractor. His professional journey reflects a dedication to the emergency services and his patients, from humbling paramedic work in the US Virgin Islands, to summers spent as a Wildland Fire Paramedic in the Pacific Northwest. With over 10 years cumulative experience, Christopher brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to his work. Christopher continues to push boundaries and refuses to settle for the status quo. Ardent about the health and wellness of his first responder family, Christopher's devotion stems from his own mental health journey and draws inspiration from his mother's pioneering role, and challenges she faced, as one of Connecticut's first female firefighter/paramedics in the early 90s.

David Speciale (MN)

STATE AMBASSADOR

My name is David Speciale. I am a paramedic, a chaplain, a husband, and a father to 3 kids. I hold a bachelor's degree in Crisis Psychology and a master's degree in Crisis and Trauma Psychology, and I am currently a Ph.D. student in a clinical psychology program to become a licensed psychologist. I have a passion for first responders' mental health, and my goal is to help as many first responders as I can with their mental health.

Christopher Jarrell (DE)

STATE AMBASSADOR

My name is Chris and I have been in the EMS industry for the last 16 years. My wife and I spend time with our children (14 and 10) at Disney World or the Outer Banks in North Carolina as much as possible. I also pursue “wind therapy” while supporting local/national fundraisers by riding my motorcycle. Starting off as a volunteer at the local firehouse as a fireman in 2006, to obtaining my EMT certification art the beginning of 2008, my pathway in healthcare has grown. I have moved from a part-time FF/EMT at my community firehouse to a full-time EMT provider in the city of Wilmington, DE. During my time in Wilmington, I have become versed in training/instruction, leadership, and peer support through CISM and debriefings. I am constantly attempting to better myself academically and spiritually as I am a certified pastor of the Church of the Open Road and am a current paramedic student at Good Fellowship Training Institute (cohort 23-24.) I have had my own struggles and continue to practice empathy and sympathy to the best of my ability. I am excited to be a member of Mind the Frontline as a valuable resource to build the platform and for those that need to reach out.

Stephen Spigelman (TX)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Hey y'all! I'm Steve/Stephen/Shortstack/asshole/whatever. I've been in EMS since I was a teenager, which was definitely a contributing factor to my mental health issues. I'm a paramedic working for a few ground 911 services in Texas, I provide austere care and tech rescue services on wildland fires across the country, I'm a medic in an Army Airborne infantry unit and am involved in the TacMed world as well. Huge proponent of mental health, conventional and unconventional alike. I enjoy natural hot springs, camping, offroading and climbing. I'm honored to be part of the MTFL team and to have the opportunity to help fellow public safety and military professionals in their mental health journeys.

Austin Grey (UT)

STATE AMBASSADOR

Austin Gray has been a paramedic for over 12 years. He started in the healthcare field in high school as a CNA working in the hospital, he got his EMT and volunteered with Sandy City Fire Department in the medical corp. Austin has been working in the critical care field since obtaining his paramedic license. Austin has an MBA and is currently working on a Doctorate Degree in Public Administration. Austin loves to help others and wants to support those in need.