PHT Committee

• Joanne Piccininni, EdD, NRP, MICP, Chair

  Joanne Piccininni is the Paramedic Science Program Director and Assistant Professor at Bergen Community College and a practicing paramedic in northern New Jersey. Beginning in 1998 as a PHTLS instructor, Joanne has served as affiliate faculty for many NAEMT education programs and is currently the NAEMT Education Coordinator for New Jersey. Joanne participated on the author teams for several NAEMT courses, is a member of the NAEMT Education Committee and PHT Committee chair. Joanne has recently completed her Education Doctorate, EdD degree, at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

  
  

• Col. (Ret) Warren Dorlac, MD, FACS, PHTLS Medical Director

  Col. (Ret) Warren C. Dorlac, MD, FACS, USAF, is a trauma and acute care surgeon and Medical Director of the Trauma/Acute Care Surgery Service at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, part of the University of Colorado Health. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and serves on the EMS committee and the Trauma Systems committee. He has worked with the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Committee on military prehospital care since 2008.

  Warren has an interest in prehospital care, aeromedical transport and trauma care research. He served on active duty with the USAF for 26 years, retiring in Oct 2011. Military assignments and duties included: Trauma Medical Director at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany 2004-2007, Director of the advanced Critical Care Air Transport Team program, 2007-2011, Trauma Consultant to the USAF Surgeon General 2008-2011, and Central Command (CENTCOM) Joint Theater Trauma System Director in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

   

• Meg Morgan, MD, FACS, PHTLS Associate Medical Director

  Dr. Margaret Morgan is a Trauma, Acute Care and Critical Care Surgeon and the Associate Chief Medical Officer at UC Health Colorado Springs, Colorado. Following medical school, Dr. Morgan entered the active Naval service, completing a transitional year internship at the Naval Medical Center San Diego and then spending the next several years on active duty as a Flight Surgeon.

  While in the Navy, Dr. Morgan participated in humanitarian missions in the Western Pacific and deployed multiple times in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. She then completed her residency in General Surgery at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania prior to moving to New Orleans where she did her fellowship training in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at LSU. Dr. Morgan remains in the military as a reservist and is currently serving as the Wing Surgeon for the Maritime Support Wing in North Island, California.

  
  

• Andrew Pollak, MD, PHTLS Medical Editor

  Dr. Andrew Pollak is Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for the University of Maryland Medical System.  He is also The James Lawrence Kernan Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Andrew previously served as Chief of Orthopaedics at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where he has worked clinically since 1994.

  Andrew received BS and MD degrees from Northwestern University and completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland program and a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma at the University of California Davis Medical Center.

  Andrew has been involved in prehospital emergency care since 1981 in multiple capacities including volunteer firefighter/EMT, EMS flight physician and fire surgeon. He currently serves as Medical Director of the Baltimore County Fire Department, Special Deputy US Marshal and formerly as Editor of the AAOS EMS Orange Book Series.

  He has served previously as Chair of the Maryland Healthcare Commission and on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is a Past President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the Maryland Orthopaedic Association. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation.

   

• Faroukh Mehkri, MD, Assoc. Tactical Medical Director

  Dr. Mehkri began his career in public service at his alma mater Rice University as a collegiate EMT. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and EMS In-Charge Supervisor, contributing over 2,000 hours in his roles while completing his undergraduate education. After completing his undergraduate degree, Dr. Mehkri pursued a career in law enforcement as a sworn officer with the Dallas Police Department, assigned to the highest crime area, witnessing firsthand the importance of tactical emergency casualty care. He went on to pursue a residency in emergency medicine and traumatology at the University of Connecticut, Hartford Hospital, during which he supported a regional SWAT team as a medical operator and worked toward becoming an emergency physician. 

  Also during his residency, Dr. Mehkri served as a trainer and educator for the New England Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI) – working with training officers, civilians, military personnel, EMTs, medical students, and co-residents in high-fidelity simulation medicine. Upon returning to Texas after his residency, Dr. Mehkri completed an EMS fellowship at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Division of EMS and Prehospital Medicine and pursued a subspecialty in prehospital, disaster, and tactical medicine. He continued on at UT as an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS and Disaster Medicine.

  Today Dr. Mehkri focuses on caring for critically ill patients as an attending emergency physician at Parkland Hospital and William J. Clements University Hospital. He also serves as the Deputy Medical Director for the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department and the City of Dallas. He works with first responders to improve prehospital care through quality management, research, protocol development, direct education, and mentorship. He is double-board certified in emergency medicine and EMS and prehospital medicine. 

  Dr. Mehkri has authored several peer-reviewed scientific articles in society journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and the Journal of EMS (JEMS). He has authored several book chapters on EMS education, bioinformatics, disaster response, tactical medicine, and risk assessment. He is a member of multiple local, state, and national professional organizations, including the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), the Special Operations Medical Association (SOMA), the Texas Chapter of NAEMSP, Texas College of Emergency Physicians, Texas Medical Association, and the Dallas County Medical Society.

   

• Chris Cluff, NRP

  Chris is honored to have served decades in Fire/EMS, tactical, wilderness, and remote medicine, and looks forward to serving on the NAEMT Prehospital Trauma Committee to further the goal of successfully treating casualties for the best chances of survival.  Chris has spent decades as a Nationally Registered Paramedic, serving federal government/military, and as a firefighter/paramedic on three Chicago-area fire departments working EMS, engine, and truck company operations before retiring as a CPT on the fire side. Serving as an EMS officer, he continuously advocated for more progressive pre-hospital protocols in the two IL EMS regions he served (regions 1 and 8). He also spent six years as an adjunct instructor with Loyola University Medical Center’s renowned paramedic program.

  Throughout his career he developed extensive experience in domestic and international high-threat operations working for defense, intelligence, and private organizations. In this capacity he provides EMS, tactical, and team medicine, high-risk protection, crisis management, and an array of other services to U.S. organizations and our allies. Some of his deployments include multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Latin America, Haiti, the Balkans, Europe, and other Middle East nations.

  Chris moved from Chicago to San Diego and continues these services, as well as delivering instruction to all levels of medical providers and non-medical personnel, with a focus on military and first responders. He has developed trauma and medical delivery programs for numerous units in the military, hospital, law enforcement, and fire/rescue. He is a designated NREMT training officer for two sites, ensuring EMS training programs and agency personnel maintain the standard of excellence their communities require.

   

• Mark Litwinko, NREMT-A

  

  Capt. Mark Litwinko, Arson Investigator, LEO, and NREMT-A, is a 19-year veteran of the Fort Wayne (IN) Fire Department and serves as an Arson Investigator and commissioned Law Enforcement Officer. Before promoting to the Arson division, Litwinko was an engine company officer and medic in the fire operations division.  He has served on numerous specialty teams, including the Hazardous Materials and the Water Rescue Special Operations Teams. He actively serves as a Tactical Medic with Fort Wayne Police Departments Emergency Services Team. In 2013 Litwinko was tasked with the design, training, and implementation of the FWFD/FWPD Rescue Task Force program in response to High Threat/Active Assailant Incidents, making them the first agencies in the state of Indiana to have a unified response protocol for active threat incidents.  Litwinko has been an NREMT-A since 2003 and worked as a street medic for 11 years early in his career with the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority.

  In addition to his career public safety duties, Litwinko is a primary Hands-On-Training Instructor and classroom presenter at the International Fire Department Instructors (FDIC) / JEMS Conference. Litwinko is also an Instructor and Affiliate Faculty with the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT), where he assisted with the beta delivery of the TECC 2.0 program and was on the authoring team for the TECC-LEO and TECC Refresher curriculums. He was appointed to the NAEMT’s Pre-Hospital Trauma Committee for 2020, 2021, and 2023. Litwinko also taught regularly for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, providing Rescue Task Force and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care education throughout the state before starting his company, Axis Emergency Readiness Solutions. Axis is a small business specializing in providing training and education to civilians, businesses, educational institutions, and public safety organizations. Litwinko and his instructors provide training in all areas of emergency readiness, including Basic Trauma Management, Active Assailant Awareness, Unified Responses to Active-Threat Incidents, Situational Awareness, Workplace Violence Preparedness, De-escalation, and several other customized training programs. 

• Chris Lowder, Paramedic

  

  Chris has been dedicated to the service of others through EMS. With 23 years in EMS and 17 years as a paramedic, his journey has taken him from the streets to the skies, and into the classroom, shaping the next generation of medical professionals.

  His passion for emergency medicine began early, driven by a deep-seated desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives. He started his career in EMS with a determination to provide compassionate and competent care in some of the most critical moments of a patient's life. Throughout his career, he has witnessed both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit, reinforcing his commitment to this demanding yet fulfilling field.

  As a paramedic, he gained invaluable experience responding to a wide array of medical emergencies, from cardiac arrests to traumatic injuries. Each call brought unique challenges that required quick thinking, teamwork, and a steadfast dedication to patient care. His role expanded as a flight paramedic, including an opportunity allowing him to operate in high-stakes environments where every second mattered. Transporting critically ill and injured patients via air medical services pushed his skills to new levels and taught him the importance of precision, adaptability, and unwavering focus under pressure.

  In addition to hands-on experience in the field, Chris has served as an EMS Coordinator, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently. In this role, he worked closely with medical professionals, emergency responders, and community stakeholders to enhance patient care, implement protocols, and improve overall EMS effectiveness. Managing logistics, overseeing training, and facilitating continuous improvement initiatives have also been integral parts of his responsibilities.

  One of the most rewarding aspects of his career has been his role as an educator in a university medical program. Sharing his knowledge and experiences with aspiring physicians, paramedics and healthcare professionals has been both humbling and inspiring. Teaching has allowed Chris to give back to the profession and instill in students the same passion and dedication that have guided his journey. His focus on education extends beyond the classroom, actively mentoring and supporting future generations in the ever-evolving field of emergency medicine.

  Looking back, Chris is grateful for the lives he has had the privilege to impact, the colleagues who have become lifelong friends, and the lessons that have shaped him both professionally and personally. EMS is more than just a career—it is a calling, one that requires courage, commitment, and compassion. As Chris continues this journey, his mission remains clear: to serve, to teach, and to inspire the next wave of emergency medical professionals who will carry the torch forward.

   

• Achim Thamm, Paramedic

  Achim Thamm is an experienced paramedic, instructor, and healthcare assistant with over 25 years of experience in emergency medicine. His career began in 1996 after graduating from the Emergency Medical Services School in Velbert, Germany. Since then, he has worked in various emergency services and positions and has made a name for himself in the industry. He currently works as a paramedic and instructor at the Kantonsspital Uri.

  He is a member of several professional associations, including the German Paramedic Association and the Swiss Paramedic Association, where he is president of the Central Switzerland section. He is also an active member of NAEMT, where he serves on the REEC (Regional Emergency Education Committee). He has contributed his expertise to numerous professional articles and is the author of several textbooks in the field of emergency medicine.

  One of Achim's particular passions is sharing his knowledge in the field of preclinical emergency medicine. He is an active lecturer at various paramedic schools in Germany and Switzerland, where he trains and inspires future paramedics using modern teaching formats. Through his teaching activities, he contributes to the education and development of the next generation of paramedics.

  He also serves as an instructor and course coordinator for various NAEMT and AHA courses. With his extensive knowledge and commitment, Achim makes a significant contribution to the development of emergency medicine in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (D-A-CH region).

   

• Cynthia Turnmire, MPS, NRP

  Cynthia Turnmire is currently a full-time instructor for Walters State Community College in the Division of Public Safety.  She is the Advanced EMT Program Director and instructor in EMT, AEMT and Paramedic classes.  She obtained her PHTLS instructor in 2011. She has served as the PHTLS State Education Coordinator in Tennessee. Cynthia received her paramedic license in 1997.Cynthia completed her MPS, concentration in Public Safety, at Tennessee Tech University in 2022.  She has been employed as Paramedic, flight paramedic, Deputy Director and adjunct faculty-WSCC throughout her career.

   

• Jeff White, MS, CHSP, MTSP-C, FP-C

  Jeff has served twenty-seven years in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Fire Service. He currently holds the position of Director of Safety for HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Inc. His experience has spanned volunteer, career, rural, and urban. He now works to increase safety awareness in EMS by assisting agencies in building their own safety management systems. He has a Master of Science in Safety from Marshall University and is a Certified Healthcare Safety Professional.

  Jeff currently supports NAEMT as the West Virginia Education Coordinator. Aside from his full-time position at HealthNet, he still provides clinical care in the aeromedical and ground environment and serves as a volunteer firefighter. He is an instructor for WV Public Service Training, WVU Fire Service Extension, National Fire Academy, and Spec Rescue International.
  
  

• Frank Butler, MD, Military Medical Advisor

  

  Dr. Butler is a retired Navy Undersea Medical Officer and an ophthalmologist who served as a Navy SEAL platoon commander prior to attending medical school. He spent most of his career in Navy Medicine supporting the Special Operations community, and was the first Navy physician selected to serve as the Command Surgeon for the U.S. Special Operations Command. He chairs the Department of Defense’s Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) and helps to ensure optimal battlefield trauma care for our country’s wounded service men and women.

  Dr. Butler has worked with PHTLS and NAEMT since 1999, helping to maintain an ongoing dialogue between military and civilian sectors on prehospital trauma care issues. He also spent five years at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit and helped pioneer numerous advances in SEAL diving capabilities. As director of the SEAL Biomedical Research Program for 15 years, Frank's landmark projects included refractive surgery in the military, the Naval Special Warfare decompression computer, and TCCC. He serves as co-chair of the Decompression Sickness and Arterial Gas Embolism Treatment Committee for the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Frank was awarded the U.S. Special Operations Command Medal in 2012 and the New Orleans Grand Isle (NOGI) Award for Distinguished Service to the diving community in 2011.

  In 2020, Dr. Butler was honored by the American College of Surgeons with the Distinguished Lifetime Military Achievement Award for his work as the Founder of Tactical Combat Casualty Care, which has now been established as the US Military and NATO standard for battlefield trauma care.

  
  
  

• Phil Moy, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, NAEMSP Liaison

  Dr. Moy is a board-certified Emergency Medicine and EMS physician who enjoys educating through his podcasts; The Prehospital Emergency Care Podcast, The But Why EMS Podcast, and the Air Methods Prehospital Education Podcast (AMPED). He is also involved nationally as a physician member at large board member for the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP). Locally, he is the medical director for ARCH Air Methods, Lincoln County Ambulance District, and Mercy Hospital Lincoln Emergency Department.