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Faculty

William Gilmore

MD
Medical Director
St. Louis Fire Department

W. Scott Gilmore, MD, FACEP, FAEMS is currently an emergency medicine physician at Mercy South Hospital, a busy suburban emergency department, in St. Louis, Missouri and Medical Director of the St. Louis Fire Department, Affton Fire Protection District and Lemay Fire Protection District. He is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. He has been involved in emergency medical services for over 27 years. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Dr. Gilmore is a respected speaker, having given numerous presentations at the local, regional, and national level on various topics in emergency medicine and emergency medical services.

2026 Sessions

Death: Making the Transition Easier for Patients and Families

Yes, I understand

Death notification is one of the most challenging and emotionally charged responsibilities faced by EMS clinicians. Current literature highlights that most providers receive little to no formal training in this critical skill, often learning through observation or trial and error. This gap can lead to increased stress, burnout, and negative experiences for both providers and families. With the rise in on-scene terminations of resuscitation and out-of-hospital deaths, EMS professionals are increasingly tasked with delivering life-altering news in unpredictable environments.

This session will explore best practices for compassionate, clear, and structured communication during death notifications, drawing on established frameworks such as the GRIEV_ING mnemonic and recent prehospital-specific guidelines. Attendees will learn practical techniques to prepare for and conduct these conversations, manage emotional responses, and provide immediate support to grieving families. Emphasis will be placed on empathy, honesty, and cultural sensitivity, as well as strategies for provider resilience and mental health.

By integrating evidence-based approaches and scenario-based learning, this presentation aims to equip EMS professionals with the confidence and competence to navigate one of the most difficult aspects of their role—turning a moment of profound loss into one of dignity and compassion.

Co-Presenter (2 Presenters)

Wednesday, September 30 2:30–3:30 PM
Room W330 A-C
Faculty

William Gilmore

MD
Medical Director
St. Louis Fire Department

W. Scott Gilmore, MD, FACEP, FAEMS is currently an emergency medicine physician at Mercy South Hospital, a busy suburban emergency department, in St. Louis, Missouri and Medical Director of the St. Louis Fire Department, Affton Fire Protection District and Lemay Fire Protection District. He is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. He has been involved in emergency medical services for over 27 years. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Dr. Gilmore is a respected speaker, having given numerous presentations at the local, regional, and national level on various topics in emergency medicine and emergency medical services.

Faculty

Mark Levine

Asst Medical Director
St Louis Fire Department

Mark D. Levine, MD, FAEMS is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine Course Director at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He started his career as an Emergency Medical Technician—Basic. He graduated from New York University School of Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine residency at the MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic program in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as a Flight Physician for Metro Life Flight. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. He was the former Medical Director of the St. Louis Fire Department, and now serves as the Assistant Medical Director. He has lectured locally, nationally, and internationally on Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Medicine, has edited a textbook on Emergency Medicine, and is a reviewer for EMS World Magazine.
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