Optional Pre-Title Webinar Description
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen care delivery across rural America.
With $50 billion in federal funding dedicated to improving access, modernizing technology, expanding the workforce, and advancing innovative care models, states are under growing pressure to turn RHTP plans into measurable, sustainable outcomes that will reduce healthcare costs in the future.
This panel discussion, led by Mickey Schulte, Executive Director of the Savvik Buying Group, brings together industry leaders to explore how RHTP funding can be strategically applied across EMS, hospitals, and community-based care. Drawing on Savvik’s longstanding mission to support EMS agencies through cost-effective procurement and industry reinvestment, the conversation will focus on real-world implementation.
Panelists, include Joe Ferrell, Director, National Initiatives at ImageTrend; Jen Femino, Senior Director, Services at Maribel Health; Justin Duncan, Chief Executive Officer at Washington County (MO) Ambulance District; and Shawn Baird, Vice President State Affairs and Strategic Advocacy at the American Ambulance Association.
They will share insights on how technology is enabling rural communities to overcome workforce shortages, access barriers, and data fragmentation. Attendees will walk away with a clearer understanding of RHTP priorities, how EMS and community paramedicine fit into state strategies, and how technology investments—particularly in interoperability, analytics, and community health—can drive long-term value for rural systems.
Join Us
Moderator Mickey Shulte
Executive Director | Savvik Buying Group
A 25-year veteran of cooperative purchasing in various business verticals, Mickey has led Savvik Buying Group since 2014 During this time he has helped grow the nationwide membership from 3,500 member agencies to over 17,000. He is a strong believer in aggregating volume to help agencies of all sizes save time and money.
Panelist Joe Ferrell
Director of National Initiatives| ImageTrend
In his role as Director of National Initiatives, Joe collaborates with national, state, and local partners to design and implement programs that advance data intelligence, analytics, and EMS system performance across the country. He brings more than 30 years of experience in EMS to his role.
Prior to joining ImageTrend, Joe was Director of Clinical Integration for biospatial. He was a Paramedic and an EMS instructor in Iowa and Minnesota and spent 14 years at the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of EMS where he served as the state Regulation Manager and the Interim Bureau Chief. Joe has a BS in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University and an MS in Adult Education from Capella University.
With over 30 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Joe brings a deep understanding of clinical and operational practices to his role, ensuring users of the ImageTrend platform achieve their goals and fully leverage its capabilities.
Panelist Jen Femino, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC
Senior Director, Services | Maribel Health
Jen has over 20 years of healthcare experience working with Federally-Qualified Health Centers, Mobile Integrated Health, Hospital at Home, Urgent Care at home, and Pediatric Advanced Care at Home. As a Family Nurse Practitioner and skilled Operations Leader, she has extensive experience leading clinical operations as well as managing the growth and scale of direct patient care programs. Jen is passionate about providing innovative, high-quality care to underserved and medically complex individuals.
Jen is a Senior Director on the Services team at Maribel Health, supporting clients in the design and implementation of innovative virtual and home-based care models. Prior to joining Maribel, Jen served as the Head of Operations for instED, LLC, a company providing on-demand, urgent care in the home via a Mobile Integrated Health model. Prior to her work at instED, Jen spent almost 15 years serving as a Primary Care Provider and Clinical Leader within Federally Qualified Health Centers in Massachusetts and Washington, DC. Throughout her healthcare career, Jen has had the opportunity to lead and support various technology initiatives, including Electronic Health Record implementations and technology platform builds.
Panelist Justin Duncan MSc., BS, NRP, EMT-CP, CCEMT-P, FP-C
Chief Executive Officer | Washington County Ambulance District
President | Missouri EMS Association
President | Sho-Me MIH Network
Chief Clinical Officer & Co-Founder | Paralign Health
Justin Duncan is a visionary leader in emergency medical services (EMS), mobile healthcare transformation, and health policy innovation. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Washington County Ambulance District (WCAD), a regional mobile healthcare system serving over 1,500 square miles of rural Missouri; Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Paralign Health, a clinically integrated network advancing Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) and Community Paramedicine (CP) through data-driven care models and collaborative partnerships; President of the Missouri EMS Association (MEMSA); and President of the SHO-ME MIH Network, a statewide collaborative advancing MIH innovation, shared education, and sustainability in Missouri’s rural and frontier communities.
With more than two decades of clinical experience and over 15 years in executive leadership, Chief Duncan brings deep expertise in EMS transformation, clinical quality, workforce development, and health policy advocacy. His work at both the state and national levels focuses on strengthening EMS integration within the broader healthcare continuum and advancing sustainable models for rural and mobile healthcare delivery.
Panelist Shawn Baird
Vice President State Affairs and Strategic Advocacy | American Ambulance Association
Shawn Baird is the Vice President for State Affairs and Strategic Advocacy at the American Ambulance Association. He has extensive EMS experience as a licensed paramedic, owner of a rural 911 and IFT ambulance service, and most recently CEO of a multi state emergency ambulance service in the pacific northwest. He served on the federal National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) as well as the federal Advisory Committee on Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing (GAPBAC).
Related Resources
Tomorrow Won’t Look Like Today. Prepare for What’s Next.
See the bigger picture and confidently face the challenges ahead with our industry-leading solutions.