Paramedicine's evolution – Embracing the new era

Chair: Matthew Cook

Matt Cook is a dual Registered Paramedic and Registered Nurse with SA Ambulance. He has completed a Masters in Critical Care Paramedicine and is passionate about the evolution of community paramedicine, evidenced by his co-authorship of a paper in the field. He is the current chair of the ACPIC24 organising committee, a member of the ACP SA committee and the ACP community paramedic working group. Matt is particularly dedicated to enhancing healthcare delivery in rural and remote areas and his interests extend to endurance sports medicine, where he combines his personal passion with professional expertise to support athletes in ultra-endurance events.

Stephanie Nixon

Stephanie is a rural QLD paramedic with over ten years of experience. Stephanie is completing her final subject for her masters of paramedicine (Extended Care) and writes quarterly for the ACP response magazine. Stephanie has an interest in research and is currently involved in multiple research projects looking to improve patient outcomes/experiences.

Ben Meadley

Ben Meadley is a registered paramedic who commenced his career with Ambulance Victoria in 1998, followed by a period with New South Wales Ambulance from 1999-2003. Returning to Ambulance Victoria, Ben trained as an intensive care (MICA) paramedic in 2004, and an intensive care (MICA) flight paramedic in 2009. He joined the staff of Monash University in 2003, and he has held the positions of Teaching Associate, Lecturer and Unit Coordinator in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Ben completed his PhD at Monash Paramedicine, investigating the physiological and metabolic health of paramedics, as well as human performance in specialist teams, and is now an adjunct Associate Professor in the department. Ben has developed expertise in prehospital critical care, paramedic education, human performance, and paramedic health and wellbeing. His research interests include respiratory and cardiovascular physiology, point of care ultrasound, human performance optimisation, and selection to specialist teams in emergency services. Ben divides his time between clinical, teaching and research roles.

Ekaterina (Kat) Puzanova

Ekaterina (Kat) Puzanova is a qualified paramedic with experience in both jurisdictional services and the private sector. Her career has provided her with a deep understanding of the complex, unpredictable, and challenging environments that paramedics often face and the role they play within the healthcare system. Kat had completed her Honours degree in 2023 at Monash University and is currently pursuing a PhD focused on optimising paramedic practice. Her research aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of paramedic services, contributing to better outcomes for patients and the healthcare system as a whole.

Kat’s favourite paramedic conference is the ACPIC, which she has attended annually since starting her paramedic degree. In 2023, she presented an academic poster that won the People’s Choice Award for Best Poster and now sits proudly as a committee member for the ACPIC24 Organising Committee.

Dr Sandy MacQuarrie

Dr. Alex (Sandy) MacQuarrie, PhD, is a paramedic, educator, and researcher with over three decades of experience in emergency medical services.

Sandy is the Principal at Edge Human Performance Group, a new organization dedicated to enhancing performance through innovative health programs and research on paramedic well-being. The group offers comprehensive support services in education, emergency health services, and research, aiming to provide targeted solutions for high-performance individuals and teams.

Sandy's research has focused on paramedic health status and its impact on job performance. He also publishes in the area of healthcare simulation and provider performance. As a Fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine and the Academy of Extreme Environment Medicine, he continues to push the boundaries of paramedic research and education.

With a background as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic and former Deputy Chief of Technical Services for Ottawa Paramedic Services, Dr. MacQuarrie combines practical experience with academic rigor. His work explores the intricate relationship between paramedic well-being and professional efficacy, aiming to enhance both patient care and practitioner health.

Katrina Kapsis

Katrina is a student paramedic hoping to complete her Graduate Diploma of Paramedicine studies later this year. She has been working as a Registered Nurse for just over 20 years, the last 15 of which have been in the public health sector providing education, care coordination and support to frequent hospital presenters who have chronic health conditions and complex psychosocial issues to better manage their health and wellbeing needs in the community setting. She is excited to bring her nursing skills and experience as she embarks on her new career as a paramedic. Katrina is hoping to be offered a graduate paramedic position in a state-based ambulance service after graduation, but envisions that one day in the future, the Community Paramedic role might be one for her to consider.

Sam Burton

Andrew Odgers

Andrew is an Aotearoa New Zealand based paramedic working in Ōtautahi Christchurch. He works primarily for Hato Hone St John NZ, having performed a variety of clinical and non clinical roles before committing to a patient facing role. After a few years of precepting and developing paramedics, committed to a Critical Care career pathway and completed his PGDip in Critical Care in 2023. Following this, he began supporting AUT as an undergraduate lecturer. He acts as the Chair for the Aotearoa New Zealand Member Committee, and is the acting President for the NZ Society for Mountain Medicine.

Dr Nigel Barr

Dr. Nigel Barr is an accomplished academic and researcher with expertise in paramedicine, nursing, and education. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), along with multiple advanced qualifications. Currently an Associate Professor at UniSC, Dr. Barr has led various programs and contributed significantly to curriculum development in paramedicine education. He has served on the UniSC Academic Board and the Student Academic Appeals Committee, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence. Dr. Barr also holds leadership roles in professional organisations, including the Australasian Council of Paramedicine Deans, Australian Vascular Access Society, and Australasian College of Paramedicine. His research focuses on paramedicine, interprofessional education, and infection control practices. His dedication to improving healthcare education and practice has made him a recognized leader and innovator in the field of paramedicine.

Jacqueline Willis

Dr Graham Munro

Graham is a highly experienced educator, clinician, and manager, beginning his career as a paramedic clinician with the Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS) and Ontario Ministry of Health in Canada. For 30 years he worked as a primary, advanced, and critical care paramedic in the land and flight environments. In conjunction with his clinical roles, he was also a vocational educator at Humber College, the Michener Institute, and the Education Division of the TPS. In these roles he was responsible for the development and delivery of education programs at the primary, advanced, and critical care level. In addition, he assumed roles of a senior project planner, a professional standards supervisor, and an operational district supervisor responsible for over 60 paramedics. After a successful and meaningful clinical career, he entered tertiary education in Australia where he held various positions at four universities contributing to the development and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate paramedic degree programs, along with supervisory and management positions. In conjunction with his teaching, he acquired degrees in Paramedicine, Health Services Management, Disaster Planning, and a PhD, along with several research projects that resulted in multiple publications. He is presently a consultant in tertiary paramedic education, a co-supervisor of research students, and an associate editor and reviewer for several professional journals.