Speakers - Citizen CPR Summit 2025

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Ed Racht, MD

Dr. Ed Racht has been involved in Emergency Medical Services and healthcare systems for more than 30 years. He currently serves as Chair of the Texas EMS, Trauma and Acute Care Foundation, an organization that provides advocacy, strategic planning and healthcare system credentialing in the State of Texas.

Dr. Racht has been Chief Medical Officer for Global Medical Response (GMR) since 2010. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for Piedmont Newman Hospital in metro Atlanta. Dr. Racht was the first full-time Medical Director for the Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services System, where he spent 13 years. The System was nationally recognized in the Institute of Medicine’s Report on the state of emergency care for its collaborative approach to challenging healthcare integration issues.

Dr. Racht received his undergraduate and medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta and completed his residency at the Medical College of Virginia.

Dr. Racht is the recipient of numerous awards including being named EMS Medical Director of the Year for the State of Texas, the American Heart Association’s Paul Ledbetter MD Physician Volunteer of the Year Award and was named a “Hero of Emergency Medicine” in 2008 by the American College of Emergency Physicians. In 2015, he was the first recipient of the Joseph P. Ornato Excellence in Clinical Leadership Award, and in 2011 received the Slovis Award for Educational Excellence by the U.S. Metropolitan Municipalities Medical Director Consortium. He is also the third Inductee in the Texas EMS, Trauma and Acute Care Foundation Hall of Fame.

Vinay Nadkarni, MD, MS

Vinay Nadkarni MD, MS is the Endowed Chair of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He directs the Center for Simulation, Advanced Education and Innovation at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and has served as the Chairman of the AHA Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

Laurie Morrison, MD

Laurie J. Morrison is Professor and Clinician Scientist in the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Her program of research is focused on the evaluation and implementation of time sensitive interventions in acute emergencies. She established Rescu, a collaborative prehospital research network. Together, the Rescu investigators conducted randomized controlled trials and outcome validation studies in resuscitation research (cardiac arrest and trauma) and contributed to the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium. She founded the Collaborative Specialization in Resuscitation Sciences enabling the training of over 80 graduate students. Rescu has evolved into a national resuscitation network for Canada (CanROC )

She has published over 380 papers, held over $26M in peer reviewed grants as a principal investigator and has an h index of 77 (web of science). She contributed to the development of the 2005 and 2010 and 2015 North American Guidelines. She provides scientific oversight of the Continuous Evidence Evaluation strategy for the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. She is founding member and current chair of the Network of Canadian Emergency Medicine Researchers. This network provides peer review and mentorship of emerging researchers and support for multicenter trials.

Dr Morrison has received the Canadian Medical Association May Cohen award for excellence in mentorship; was granted honorary membership by the European Resuscitation Council for life time achievement in resuscitation sciences in 2017; gave the AHA Dickinson W. Richards Memorial Lecture in 2018 and was named a Giant in Resuscitation by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation in 2021. She gave the honorary Negovsky lecture for the European Resuscitation Council and she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Resuscitation Sciences from the American Heart Association. In 2025 she received the King Charles’ III Coronation medal as a Heart and Stroke nominee and the Hans Dahll award from the North American Citizens CPR Foundation.

Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD, received her M.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine and completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She received a Master of Science in Health and Health Services Research from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a PhD in Health Services Research in 2014 from the Colorado School of Public Health. She continues to work clinically in the Emergency Department in metro Denver and maintains appointments in the Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. Sasson is Healthcare Executive, Global Health for Emergency Cardiovascular Care at the American Heart Association. She is committed to working to increase health access, and to use a community-based participatory research approach to identify and implement solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of community members. Dr. Sasson also serves as the Special Advisor to the Veterans Health Administration Medical Advisory Panel, and leads the VA’s ED Opioid Safety Initiative with grant funding to implement Substance Use training resources in the 100+ EDs/Urgent Cares in the U.S. She has authored 100+ publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Mark Whelchel, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, EMT-P

Mark Whelchel, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, EMT-P is the Director of Healthcare and Prehospital Education at the American Red Cross. He graduated from St. Louis University with a Master of Science degree in Nursing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis where he was the recipient of the Jonas Foundation Veterans’ Healthcare Scholarship. Dr. Whelchel’s nursing career spans over 25 years and includes extensive experience as a clinician and educator in critical care, trauma, flight nursing and bone marrow and heart transplantation. In his current leadership position, Dr. Whelchel plays an integral role as the liaison to the esteemed American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council.

Thomas E. Sather, Ed.D, MS, MSS, CAsP

Thomas E. Sather, Ed.D, MS, MSS, CAsP, is a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, where he serves as the Education Sub-Council Chair. A Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps, Dr. Sather brings extensive expertise in academic and operational support. He is an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) and is affiliated with the Navy Medicine Training Support Center. With a strong background in education, physiology and military medicine, Dr. Sather contributes to advancing evidence-based practices in emergency preparedness and healthcare training through his leadership and scholarly work.

Tore Laerdal

Tore Laerdal is Chairman of the Board of the Laerdal Foundation for Acute Medicine, which since 1980 has provided financial support to nearly 2,000 practically oriented research projects.

Mr. Laerdal is also Chairman of the Board of Laerdal Medical, a world leading company within training material and therapeutic equipment for acute medicine.

Mr. Laerdal serves as Chairman of the Board of three external research foundations in Norway. He holds a degree from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, and has received an Honorary Doctorate in Science from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.

Nici Singletary, MD, FACEP

Nici Singletary, MD, FACEP, a graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School, was the Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Assistant Director for the Residency in Emergency Medicine at EVMS and a member of the FEMA VA-2 Urban Search and Rescue Team. Dr. Singletary is past Chair of ILCOR First Aid Task Force, a member of ILCOR Scientific Advisory Committee and is the Co-Chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council.

Heatherlee Bailey, MD, FAAEM, FCCM

Heatherlee Bailey, MD, FAAEM, FCCM, graduated from Alfred University in NY. She completed medical school at Rutgers University of Medicine, her residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania where she joined the faculty. Dr. Bailey served as the department’s Director of Critical Care Education and Associate Residency Director. In 2010, she joined Duke University and Durham VA Medical Center. Dr. Bailey is the first Emergency Medicine trained President of SCCM and serves on the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council

Stephanie Streit, MD, FACS

Stephanie Streit, MD, FACS serves as an Acute Care Surgeon at George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Inc., responding to injuries and performing emergency surgeries. She spends a significant amount of time teaching residents and fellows in the care of critically ill and injured patients as well as in the care of common surgical illnesses. Dr. Streit received her degree from the University of Cincinnati and completed her surgical residency at MUSC and her surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Cincinnati.

Michael Carr, MD, FACEP, FAEMS

Michael J. Carr, MD, FACEP, FAEMS is Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Section at Emory University and is board certified in Emergency Medicine and in EMS & Disaster Medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Dr. Carr serves as Medical Director for DeKalb County Fire Rescue in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also is a member of the National Physicians Advisory Board for Air Methods Corporation and Medical Director for Air Methods / Air Life Georgia, overseeing six helicopter bases.

Elizabeth Hewett-Brumberg, MD, FAAP

Elizabeth Hewett-Brumberg, MD, FAAP is the Medical Director of Emergency Department Preparedness and a faculty physician in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and an active member of its Council on Children and Disasters. Dr. Hewett-Brumberg also serves as Vice Chair of the First Aid Sub-Council within the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, where she helps shape national guidelines on emergency care. Her work focuses on pediatric emergency preparedness, disaster response, and improving outcomes for children in crisis situations.

Matt Levy, DO, MSc, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP

Matt Levy, DO, MSc, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP is an emergency medicine and EMS physician with a full-time faculty appointment at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He serves as the EMS Medical Director for the American Red Cross and is a member of its Scientific Advisory Council. Dr. Levy is a passionate educator and advocate for outcomes-driven prehospital care, with leadership roles in operational and disaster medicine at local, state, and federal levels. He is also affiliated with the Stop the Bleed Coalition and contributes to advancing emergency preparedness, public health policy, and evidence-based practices in emergency medical services.

Tom Rea, MD, MPH

Thomas Rea MD MPH is Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, medical director for King County EMS, and faculty for the Resuscitation Academy.  He has an interest in improving resuscitation by leveraging newer technologies and data techniques.  He investigates the use of bio-signals – real-time measures acquired by the defibrillator – to help determine the patient’s specific physiology and in turn better align treatment and improve outcomes. 

Michael Sayre, MD

Michael Sayre, MD is Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington and Medical Director for the Seattle Fire Department. A national leader in resuscitation science and EMS systems, he has shaped CPR guidelines through decades of service with the American Heart Association and ILCOR. His current research focuses on AI-enhanced cardiac arrest response. Dr. Sayre also mentors future EMS leaders as founding director of UW’s EMS Medicine Fellowship

Jacob Sunshine, MD

Jake Sunshine is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington and a Research Scientist at Google, where he leads the Loss of Pulse team. His research focuses on exploration and development of passive sensing techniques for the detection of cardiopulmonary emergencies. 

To receive your Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit CE certificate, please complete a survey for each qualifying CE session in the CASSummit mobile app. Open the app and tap the CE Surveys, Conference Evaluation button on the home screen.

Once your submissions are complete, .PDF certificates will be emailed to you from info@citizencpr.org.

CE surveys will remain open in the CASSummit mobile app until Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Questions? Please reach out to info@citizencpr.org.

Meet Our Speakers

Ed Racht, MD

Vinay Nadkarni, MD, MS

Michael Kurz, MD, MS, FACEP, FAEMS, FAHA

Alexis Topjian, MD, MSCE, FAHA

Ian Drennan, ACP, PhD

Laurie Morrison, MD

Mary McBride, MD, MEd

Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

Tia Raymond, MD, PBLS

Mark Whelchel, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, EMT-P

Thomas E. Sather, Ed.D, MS, MSS, CAsP

Javier J. Lasa, MD, FAAP

Tore Laerdal

Nici Singletary, MD, FACEP

Heatherlee Bailey, MD, FAAEM, FCCM

Stephanie Streit, MD, FACS

Michael Carr, MD, FACEP, FAEMS

Elizabeth Hewett-Brumberg, MD, FAAP

Matt Levy, DO, MSc, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP

David B. Hiltz

Robert B. Dunne, MD, FACEP

Susan B. Davis, DNP, MSN, RN, EMT-P

Brandon Oto, PA-C, FCCM

Tom Rea, MD, MPH

Michael Sayre, MD

Jacob Sunshine, MD

Hilary Gates

Bob Davis

Emily Butters