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Faculty

Nichole Berge

PhD, NRP
EMS Director
North Fork Fire Department

Nichole S. Berge, PhD, NRP, is a firefighter/paramedic and EMS Director with North Fork Fire Department in Sundance, Utah, with more than 15 years of field and EMS education experience. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Leadership focused on EMS innovation and rural program development. Dr. Berge teaches as adjunct faculty for Ohio University and as an instructor for EMT Utah. She has presented at multiple national and international EMS conferences on evidence-based airway and ventilation practices, as well as leadership development in EMS education. Her work centers on improving prehospital care through enhanced education, protocol design, and real-world application. She is the recipient of the Utah Valley Hospital Excellence in EMS Award and leads clinical training and mental-health initiatives within her department.

2026 Sessions

The Right Breath at the Right Time: Choosing Manual vs. Mechanical Ventilation in EMS

Yes, I understand

This presentation examines how ventilation strategy influences outcomes in cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and opioid-related respiratory failure, three of the most high-risk EMS scenarios. Using the hierarchy of intervention effectiveness as a framework, we will explore the clinical, operational, and educational considerations driving the choice between manual and mechanical ventilation.

Participants will review current evidence on ventilation performance, common pitfalls, and system-level barriers that can impact patient outcomes. Through case-based discussion, we will compare the strengths and limitations of each method and provide practical recommendations for different environments, including rural, resource-limited, and high-volume systems. Attendees will leave with strategies to improve ventilation consistency, reduce preventable harm, and ensure their teams are delivering the right breath at the right time.

Co-Presenter (2 Presenters)

Other

Friday, October 02 1:00–2:00 PM
Room W330 A-C
Faculty

Nichole Berge

PhD, NRP
EMS Director
North Fork Fire Department

Nichole S. Berge, PhD, NRP, is a firefighter/paramedic and EMS Director with North Fork Fire Department in Sundance, Utah, with more than 15 years of field and EMS education experience. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Leadership focused on EMS innovation and rural program development. Dr. Berge teaches as adjunct faculty for Ohio University and as an instructor for EMT Utah. She has presented at multiple national and international EMS conferences on evidence-based airway and ventilation practices, as well as leadership development in EMS education. Her work centers on improving prehospital care through enhanced education, protocol design, and real-world application. She is the recipient of the Utah Valley Hospital Excellence in EMS Award and leads clinical training and mental-health initiatives within her department.

Faculty

HOLLY STEWART

RRT, FAEMS
President
MedMERIT Consulting, LLC

Holly Stewart RRT, FAEMS, is a respiratory therapist with more than 30 years of EMS and healthcare experience, specializing in both manual and mechanical ventilation. She has trained paramedics, medical directors, and prehospital clinicians nationwide to elevate ventilation performance and improve patient outcomes through data-driven approaches, including advanced capnography interpretation. A frequent educator at national EMS conferences, Stewart leads hands-on airway and ventilation workshops that translate complex physiology into practical skills for field providers. She also brings extensive medical device industry expertise, supporting EMS agencies in ventilation education, technology integration, and the successful implementation of evidence-based respiratory care practices. She holds a BSc in Business Administration, Capella University and Respiratory Therapy Diploma from SAIT.
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