RENO, Nev. – Brenda Staffan, chief operating officer of REMSA (the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority), was recognized with the prestigious Leadership Award at the 12th annual Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum, a national conference for senior emergency medical services (EMS) professionals representing all models of delivery service. This award is given to those who show exemplary work in helping to advance EMS as a profession.
“Brenda has helped shape nationally recognized innovative solutions in EMS,” said Dean Dow, president, and CEO of REMSA. “The results of her work have truly benefited our region and nation, and have served as models for success across the United States. We congratulate Brenda for her dedication, vision and hard work.”
Pinnacle is a premier event for senior EMS executives and explores the most relevant topics in the changing world of EMS.
Staffan was recently promoted to her current role as the joint chief operating officer at REMSA. She spent the last four years leading REMSA’s community health programs, created as a result of a federal CMS Health Care Innovation Award project. Staffan’s focus on transparent outcome data and analysis led to REMSA’s success in securing statewide legislation for Community Paramedicine Medicaid reimbursement.
Staffan also worked with regional jurisdictions to ensure 9-1-1 callers are navigated to the most appropriate level of care. Her work experiences led to a partnership contract with Hometown Health – one of the largest commercial insurers in the region – to sustain community health interventions including transport to alternative destinations (e.g. urgent care, alcohol and drug detox and behavioral health services), Community Paramedicine home visits to help discharged patients stay healthy at home, and the Nurse Health Line allowing access to 24-hour nurse triage and assistance to help navigate patients through the appropriate levels of care, a program based on international protocols.
About REMSA
REMSA is a private, locally governed, non-profit emergency medical services provider serving northern Nevada since 1986. REMSA also comprises Care Flight Ground and Care Flight, a regional, non-profit, helicopter, airplane and ground critical care transport service, a Nevada-licensed, post-secondary educational institution, a state-of-the-art, fully accredited 9-1-1 dispatch communications center, a Tactical Emergency Medical Support team and community and special events EMS teams. REMSA provides integrated, quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies. For more information, visit remsahealth.com.
