Founder

Hilary is an educator, connector, paramedic and advocate for humans. Hilary is passionate about taking care of the hearts and minds of EMS clinicians and all of those they touch. Hilary’s interest in high-performing systems of care for cardiac arrest is rooted in multiple experiences as both a lay bystander, provider and bereaver.   Combining clinical acumen with a prolific writing career and professional teaching background helps Hilary bring a unique perspective to improving our industry. 

Hilary did not enter EMS through the traditional pathway. She began her career as a high school English and journalism teacher. After hearing students tell stories about volunteering in EMS, Hilary agreed to do ride-a-long, which was a life-changing experience.  The rest is history. 

Hilary is currently the director of educational strategy for Prodigy EMS.  Her EMS career began as a volunteer with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Montgomery County (MD), and then as a paramedic, EMT instructor and field training officer with the City of Alexandria (VA) Fire Department. She also implemented AFD’s MIH/CP program.  Hilary then served as senior editorial and program director for EMS World, helping to make EMS World Expo the most well-attended EMS conference in the world.  Hilary has also served as an adjunct instructor for both American University’s School of Education and the University of Pittsburgh’s Emergency Medicine program. Hilary is active with the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride as one of the “Muddy Angels.”  She serves on multiple boards and consults for a variety of initiatives including Heartsight, whose aim is to reduce uncertainty and improve understanding for anyone affected by cardiac arrest.

Hilary actively seeks out opportunities where innovation in EMS can improve the patient and clinician experience, and she works tirelessly to find solutions when the road to success seems blocked.

In her spare time, Hilary enjoys riding her bike, skiing as fast as her age will allow, and traveling to foreign lands.  She dreams of becoming a surfing instructor and/or seaplane pilot. 

Founder

Bob has dedicated his career to understanding and improving emergency response systems, leveraging his unique experiences as both a paramedic and an award-winning national journalist. His journey, marked by a commitment to saving lives and uncovering truths, has positioned him as a respected voice in emergency medical services (EMS) and a passionate advocate for societal change.

Bob's career began on the front lines of emergency care as a paramedic, where he gained firsthand experience in life-saving techniques and witnessed the critical importance of efficient emergency response systems. This foundation in EMS would later inform his groundbreaking work as a journalist.

As a reporter for USA TODAY, Bob specialized in covering aviation safety and emergency medical services. His investigative reporting on air ambulance crashes and disparities in cardiac arrest survival rates across major U.S. cities earned him significant recognition in the field. Bob's unique ability to combine his practical EMS experience with rigorous journalistic investigation allowed him to shed light on critical issues affecting public safety and healthcare.

Bob's work has consistently straddled the line between hope and fear. From responding to emergencies as a young paramedic to reporting on national crises like Hurricane Katrina and the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, he has witnessed both the harsh realities of human suffering and the inspirational resilience of communities in crisis.

These experiences have shaped Bob's perspective, leading him to advocate for a more compassionate, unified approach to addressing societal challenges. He now focuses on three key areas: Promoting personal growth, encouraging community engagement, and improving emergency medical services.

Bob believes these pathways are crucial in creating a more just and caring world. He combines compelling storytelling with actionable insights from his experience in EMS and journalism to inspire individuals and organizations to contribute to positive change in their communities and beyond.

As a wellbeing and leadership coach, Bob understands that real change often begins with individual actions and community-level initiatives. He believes that improved emergency services and community engagement can lead to broader societal improvements.

Founder

Tom has dedicated his career to emergency cardiac care and improving sudden cardiac arrest survival. With over 25 years in fire and emergency medical services, Tom has gained extensive experience in implementing effective systems of care and fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement.

During his tenure with Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, Tom served in various roles including firefighter, paramedic, engine company lieutenant, truck company captain, and battalion chief of EMS. He helped lead the department's efforts in achieving excellent outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest; as Tom likes to say, "with the receipts."

Tom's work encompasses all aspects of the chain-of-survival, including cardiac arrest registry management, rapid dispatch, telecommunicator CPR, bystander CPR, public access defibrillation, law enforcement CPR/AED, smartphone technologies, high performance CPR, post-resuscitation care, post-event review, and survivor and bystander support.

As an educator, blogger, and YouTuber, Tom has contributed significantly to EMS education. His commitment to this field is both professional and personal; Tom and his wife Kelly, a triple-boarded doctor of nursing practice, have experienced the impact of cardiac arrest firsthand as co-survivors of their daughter's non-fatal drowning.

Tom's participation in "Six Minutes to Live" reflects his ongoing commitment to improving cardiac arrest outcomes. His combination of operational experience and understanding of systemic improvements offers a valuable perspective to this examination of emergency cardiac care in America.