Oregon Tech Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Professor and Department Chair Jamie Kennel, Ph.D., has been selected to participate in an EMS Modernization Workgroup to develop a legislative concept for EMS modernization in Oregon.
Overseen by State Representative Dacia Grayber (SW Portland/East Beaverton) the group is tasked with drafting a policy base to improve and modernize EMS for all Oregonians, including improving the equity of EMS treatments provided to Oregonians.
The group is being convened in partnership with Oregon Health Authority’s EMS Medical Director and the Oregon College of Emergency Physicians.
Kennel said, “Under Representative Grayber’s leadership and unique experience as a front-line EMS clinician, the experienced workgroup members have an opportunity to build one of the most effective and sustainable EMS systems in the country where all Oregonians receive the highest quality of care regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.”
Kennel’s team conducts research and speaks at national EMS conferences about how discrimination impacts the quality of patient care within EMS for underserved populations, including racial minorities, women, patients with obesity, and patients with lower socioeconomic status.
"Representative Grayber's inclusion of a broad diversity of workgroup members, as well as her direct inclusion of diversity and equity, shows a depth of understanding of the current challenges our EMS clinicians are facing. I’m excited to work with a team of fellow experts to address some of our industry’s long-standing issues,” Kennel said.
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