Overview
From daily ambulance responses, to paramedic course curriculum; from telephone pre-arrival instructions, to fleet & equipment maintenance; from Community Paramedic home visits, to marathon start/finish line coverage, the Hennepin EMS Command Staff are responsible for maintaining and growing all aspects of our enterprise.
Chief of Hennepin EMS
With the assistance of her leadership team, Chief Wendy Lynch is responsible for all aspects of the EMS department, while directly overseeing the divisions of Operations and Education.
- Wendy LynchChief of Hennepin EMS
Wendy Lynch began her Twin Cities EMS career in 1989 and has been with Hennepin EMS since 2000, starting as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher and Emergency Medical Technician. Since then, Wendy has led the Hennepin EMS Communications Center as a Supervisor as well as Chief of Communications, Technology, and West MRCC. In early 2018, Wendy transitioned into her new role as Chief of EMS and continues to provide the leadership necessary to carry Hennepin EMS into the future. Wendy supported a collaborative effort on behalf of Hennepin EMS with the Minneapolis Fire Chief in 2016 to establish a career pathway into public safety with the successful Minneapolis EMT Academy and EMS Pathways Program. Wendy is a member of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and locally the Women’s Health Leadership Trust. Wendy holds a Master’s in Public and Non-Profit Administration from Metropolitan State University.
- Ross ChavezAssistant Chief of Hennepin EMS
Assistant Chief Ross Chávez received his Paramedic training in the City of Chicago, interning with the Chicago Fire Department while working as a Community Health Organizer for a local faith-based non-profit in the Mexican immigrant community. After two years of EMS work in Chicago, he returned to Minnesota in 2007 as a paramedic for Hennepin EMS. Since then, Ross has held the roles at Hennepin Healthcare of EMS Supervisor, Trauma Services Referral Source Liaison, and in 2018 accepted the position of Assistant Chief of EMS.
Ross holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Carleton College and has over 15 years of experience in the EMS industry. Ross resides in the Twin Cities with his family and enjoys incorporating new tools and tactics into his routine to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Assistant Chief
Assistant Chief Ross Chavez directly oversees the divisions of Communications, Special Operations, and Community Programs.
Deputy Chief
Our Deputy Chief team oversees specific divisions of the department.
- T. Ryan MayfieldDeputy Chief of Education
T. Ryan Mayfield has been working across the country in emergency services since 1996. In addition to working as a field provider, he has worked in Education, Operations, QA/QI, EMS research, and management. He holds a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University in Information Systems and an M.S. from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in EMS Administration and Emergency Management.
- Erin HedgeDeputy Chief of Staff
Serving Since 2002, paramedic, educator, Deputy Chief of Staff, committee member for FTO Task Force, Excellence Council, and Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.
Dedicated to creating a healthy work environment for staff, committed to training our recruits as competent members of the HEMS team, and devoted to ensuring our staff have access to resources.
- Mike LeVakeDeputy Chief of Special Operations
I have been with Hennepin EMS since 1995, having served as a dispatcher 2 years and a paramedic on the street for 21 years, before being promoted to a command role in 2016. Prior to my career in EMS, I served 4 years in the US Navy, and was honorably discharged in 1991. I am honored to lead the Hennepin EMS Special Operations Team. This group of professionals is a nationally recognized leader in emergency response, disaster preparedness training, and special event operations. We look forward to working with you to create the safest, most comfortable guest experience for your event.
- Wade JohnsonDeputy Chief of Communications
Born and raised on the West Side in St. Paul, I am very familiar with intercity life. I grew up in a Latin-American neighborhood. But growing up outside playing in the streets and dirt helped me to stay grounded…excuse the pun. I excelled at team sports and was fortunate enough to play college football at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. I now live in the North East Metro with my wife and our teenage twin girls.
I think the team sport concept has helped me adapt to 28 years in public safety. During my career here at Hennepin EMS, I have worked as dispatcher, paramedic, was elected Secretary of HCAPE which I served for almost 5 years and in 2011, I was promoted to Operations Supervisor, Deputy Chief of Operations and just recently, Deputy Chief of Communications. I want to think I have had a well-rounded career so far.
In my spare time you can find me in the outdoors. I am also the family’s historian in search of our heritage. I love reading and learning about history, particularly American History. I’m a busy father with teenage twins and playing chauffeur.
- Amber BrownDeputy Chief of Community Programs
I am Amber Brown, Deputy Chief of Community Programs. I started my paramedic career in EMS in 1998 and have been at Hennepin EMS since 2002. I worked as a paramedic on the ambulance until August 2013, when I joined the launch of our Community Paramedic program. I continued in the Paramedic/Community Paramedic role until 2015 when I was promoted to Deputy Chief. In my current role, I manage the Community Paramedic program and Community Outreach for Hennepin EMS. I am passionate about getting our patients the right service at the right time, to achieve the best possible outcome for the person’s overall health and to make an impact in all the communities we serve.
- Chad DotzlerDeputy Chief of Operations
I began my career in EMS in 1995, working as an EMT (Health EAST and North Memorial), while attending paramedic school. In 1997, I was hired as a full-time paramedic at North Memorial Medical Transportation and worked the street until 2001. While my time at North Memorial was rewarding and memorable, I was always intrigued by the “Hennepin aura” and the “Hennepin Way” of doing business. In 2001, I made the decision to experience the “Hennepin Way”, rather than view it from a distance, and worked as a paramedic on the street until 2008 before being promoted to Operations Supervisor. In 2010, I was also charged with managing all areas of fleet operations, which was the beginning of Hennepin’s change in strategy in regards to ambulance design. Since 2010, our ambulances have gone through transformational change with an emphasis on safety, not only for the patient, but also our staff. This remains a high priority for us and we seek to continue to reshape the future. 2018 was a time of organizational structure change for Hennepin EMS, which resulted in moving to the position of Deputy Chief of Operations (Manager), which encompasses managing the Operations division of Hennepin EMS, including Fleet Operations.
Battalion Chief
The battalion chief serves as the direct report from front-line staff and manages most daily functions of our various divisions.
- Jordan WardellBattalion Chief of Special Operations
I began my EMS career when I took the EMT program through Northeast Metro 916 as a senior in High School. After High School and obtaining my EMT certification I enrolled in and graduated from the Century College Paramedic Program. Shortly after graduating I began my career with Hennepin EMS in June of 2008 when I was hired as a Paramedic. I worked on the ambulance for the next 7 years before accepting a position as a Supervisor.
After taking on a supervisory role in April of 2015 I began working with Special Events and was assigned to US Bank Stadium. I assisted in developing the Emergency Medical Response (EMR) Team at US Bank Stadium and have been heavily involved with the operational planning of all special events occurring within our PSA including the Stadium Series, X-Games and Super Bowl LII to name a few.
- Lori SchmidtBattalion Chief of Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Kent KoellnBattalion Chief of Operations
I started in EMS in 1990 as an EMT on the local ambulance in the small town I grew up in. My parents had served on the fire department and ambulance for many years prior and were Advanced Frist Aid instructors, so it seemed natural to start serving at a young age. Eventually the call of the big city (Hutchinson MN) lured me away. I took An EMT-I course and was hired part time at the Hutchinson Ambulance Service. I became a Paramedic in 1997 and took a full time position.
I was hired here at Hennepin EMS in 2002. During my time at Hennepin EMS I have held the position of HCAPE Chief Paramedic Steward and served on several different committees. I have held my current position as a Battalion Chief of Operations since March of 2018.
- Kurtis BramerBattalion Chief of Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Charles Sloan IIIBattalion Chief of Special Ops/Comms
I started my career in EMS in 1996 with a local ambulance service doing wheelchair and BLS transports. I then transitioned to a Dispatcher role, and eventually dispatched for 911, critical care, and helicopter transports. In 2000, I started working with a local air ambulance provider as an EMT, eventually working my way up to Flight Paramedic. Today I am enrolled at Bethel University and continue to work on my Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development & Leadership. I started working for Hennepin EMS in 2015 and never looked back. I am proud to be associated with such an outstanding team of Leaders, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Dispatchers.
- Michael TrullingerBattalion Chief of Operations
Battalion Chief Mike Trullinger is a career paramedic and has served over 35 years in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field, the past 22 years with Hennepin EMS where he currently serves as a Battalion Chief of Operations and as the department’s Public Information Officer (PIO.) Mike is also a Retired Volunteer Fire Department Captain with 22 years of service.
- Kyle KoellnBattalion Chief of Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Susan BlakeBattalion Chief of Education
I started my nursing career at HCMC in 1980 as a new graduate with a BSN from the College of St. Benedict. I worked for five years on the Neuro/Neuro ICU floor.
In 1985, I transferred down to the Emergency Department and worked as a staff nurse for 1 ½ years. I took an assistant nurse manager position there in 1987, managing the night shift. I resigned that position in 1994, returning to ED staff nursing until 1999 when I accepted an EMS Education Specialist position in EMS Education. I continued to work intermittently in the ED until 2011 when I took the Chief of Training position, now known as the Battalion Chief of Education.
In 2006, I returned to school and in 2008 obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Human Services with an emphasis on Criminal Justice.
I’m a member of the Emergency Nurses Association and have CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) and CPEN (Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse) certifications.
I’m a member of the State Trauma Committee.
- Daniel KlawitterBattalion Chief of Communications
I have been at HCMC/Hennepin Healthcare almost 24 years. I have been an EMT for 20 plus years. I started in the security department and moved to EMS 14 years ago. I worked my first 11 years in EMS in a dispatcher role, the last 3 as a supervisor. I truly enjoy helping others, especially on their worst days. I try to view everyone I meet as a potential customer/VIP. I enjoy sports and the gym as well as spending time with family, friends, and my pets.
- Kimberly StueveBattalion Chief of Operations
I took a first responder course in 1995 and never looked back. I knew right away that I wanted to be a Paramedic. I first worked for Gold Cross Ambulance in St. Cloud MN for 4 plus years. I got hired at HCMC in 2001. During my time at HCMC, I have served on the Crash Committee, Peer Review/QA committee, and as an Field Training Officer. I have held my position of Battalion Chief since January 2019.