Please remember to forward this important information on to other EMS professionals in Missouri

On August 6^th the MEMSA board of directors held its annual election of officers for the next one-year term.  The board held the election near the Tan-Tar-A Resort as a precursor to the Combined Clinical Conference.

Newly elected officers include Nathan Williams (right) as president and Ken Koch as vice-president.  Andrew Umland was elected treasurer for a second term. Ruby Mehrer was elected secretary.

Williams resides in Columbia, Missouri, and began his EMS career in the early 1970’s as an EMS instructor.  He then joined the Columbia Fire Department where he was the medical coordinator for twenty five years – he is now retired from this position.  Williams is also a past MEMSA president, serving from 1994 – 96 and 1998 – 2000. 

In addition, Williams is a board member and past president with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).  He served as president for two years and has been a board member for more than ten years.  Williams also served as president of Advocates for EMS, which is a cooperative venture between the National Association of Emergency Physicians, the National Associations of State Officials, The National Association of EMS Educators and NAEMT.  He continues to hold a board position with Advocates for EMS.

“I am humbled to have been chosen for the position of president,” said Williams.  “I had not campaigned for the position but am willing to serve.”

Williams says his priorities include developing better cooperative working relationships with the Missouri Unit of EMS and the Department of Health and Senior Services.  “Essentially, anyone with a vested interest in Missouri EMS, anyone who has the opportunity to positively affect patient care and the outcome of that care is welcome to the table to work with us,” says Williams.

Williams says he believes that the strength of the varying state EMS associations and organizations have not met their potential to collectively solve many of the challenges facing Missouri EMS. 

“Missouri plays a vital role in determining the future of EMS related issues on the national level,” Williams says.  “We need to be able to convey Missouri’s challenges to the national legislative bodies and national organizations.  I’ll be working on removing our internal barriers in order to help reach new goals on a national level.”

Williams says he plans to begin working with the MEMSA Board to identify goals for the upcoming year at the next regularly scheduled meeting in September.

Currently, two board positions have been left vacant by recent resignations.  One position is open in the Northwest Region and one position in the Southeast region.

MEMSA members are asked to nominate persons within these regions.  Nominees must be members living in that region.  Once names have been submitted, the board will select from those individuals who have accepted a nomination and appoint the new board members.