RENO, Nev. – REMSA, the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority, announced the promotion of JW Hodge to Chief Operating Officer of Healthcare Services and Brenda Staffan to Chief Operating Officer of Integrated Services this week.
“We consistently strive to strengthen our organization through leaders committed to providing innovative care to our patients, supporting our workforce and addressing our region’s healthcare needs,” said Dean Dow, President, and CEO, REMSA. “Brenda and JW have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to excellence at REMSA.”
As COO of healthcare services, Hodge will focus on primary operations of the organization working with ground ambulance services, communications, community health and public affairs. Hodge will also develop and oversee a team of operational and clinical leaders tasked with enhancing and developing systems of care across all clinical service lines dedicated to daily operations of the organization ensuring fully integrated patient care and an engaged workforce.
Before being named the chief operating officer, Hodge was the director of public affairs. During his time in that position, he oversaw REMSA’s comprehensive public affairs and communications strategy including outreach to local, state and federal officials; analyzing EMS-related legislative and regulatory proposals; and directing and leading staff and contractors in implementing the organization’s public outreach, internal communication efforts, and marketing initiatives. JW joined REMSA in 2005 as an advanced emergency medical technician and served as an education manager shortly thereafter.
As COO of integrated services, Staffan will lead the division, which includes Care Flight air medical services, data analytics, and business development. Staffan will develop and oversee a team focused on the integration of emergency medical services into the full spectrum of healthcare services across the region ensuring high performance and high value for patients and communities throughout northern Nevada.
Staffan was serving as the director of new ventures before being promoted to chief operating officer. She currently is an instructor/faculty for the national Ambulance Service Manager program and the Pinnacle EMS Leadership conference, both hosted by the national firm Fitch & Associates, and is a co-author of the American Ambulance Association’s EMS Structured for the Quality guide. She was recognized as a top ten innovator by the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) in 2017, was named one of the top 14 most influential women in EMS by the website EMS1 in 2016, and was profiled in the JEMS’ Women EMS Leaders issue in 2008. Prior to joining REMSA in 2012, she served as the executive director of the California Ambulance Association.
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.