The Kentucky Office of Rural Health (KORH) proudly celebrated the graduation of the sixth cohort of the Kentucky EMS Leadership Academy last Wednesday in Corbin, Kentucky.
Fourteen emergency medical services (EMS) professionals from across the Commonwealth completed the six-month program, which equips participants with essential leadership, management, and operational skills to strengthen EMS agencies and improve patient care in both rural and urban communities.
Graduates convened for the program’s final session to present group capstone projects, each addressing key issues impacting EMS systems. These presentations reflect the participants’ commitment to innovation, collaboration, and advancing emergency care statewide.
“Graduation from the EMS Leadership Academy is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a deeper commitment to leadership,” said Scott Helle, Rural Project Manager and KORH EMS specialist. “These graduates leave with not only new skills, but a responsibility to mentor others, strengthen their agencies, and continue learning throughout their careers.”
As part of the ceremony, graduates received commemorative challenge coins recognizing their achievements and dedication to professional growth and service.
The 2026 Kentucky EMS Leadership Academy cohort includes:
- Johnny Carpenter, Frankfort Fire & EMS
- Dallas Chesser, Louisville Metro EMS
- Elizabeth Martell Fischer, Louisville Metro EMS
- Caleb Franklin, Murray-Calloway County EMS
- Jacob Hart, Greenup County Ambulance Authority
- Ashley Harvey, Adair County Ambulance Service
- Ray Hennequant, Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS
- David Herlensky, Georgetown-Scott County EMS
- James E. Mudd, Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS
- Matt Oliver, Air Evac 10 – Hopkinsville
- Michael S. Ratliff, Carroll County EMS
- Jarrod Sanders, Edmonson County Ambulance Service
- Jason Taylor III, Paris-Bourbon County EMS
- Karen Wells, Patriot EMS
Participants in the program receive a mix of in-person and virtual instruction covering topics such as leadership development, financial management, compliance, and workforce engagement. The Academy also provides mentorship opportunities with experienced EMS leaders and supports ongoing professional development.
Graduates will go on to attend the Kentucky EMS Conference and Expo later this year, where they will continue building connections and sharing knowledge with peers from across the state.
The Kentucky EMS Leadership Academy, administered by KORH, is part of a broader effort to strengthen the EMS workforce and ensure high-quality emergency care for all Kentuckians, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.
Interested in becoming part of the next EMS Leadership Academy cohort? Follow KORH on Facebook and LinkedIn and sign up for our newsletters to be the first to hear about application openings and program updates!