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Faculty

Drew Watters

MD, FACEP, FAWM DiMM
Professor of Emergency Medicine Practice
Indiana University School of Medicine

Dr. Drew Watters, MD FACEP FAWM DiMM, is a professor of emergency medicine with the Indiana University School of Medicine. He is medical director for the IC-EMS at Indiana University. He is medical director for multiple other EMS and fire agencies in the region, and works clinically at IU Health Bloomington. He has a fellowship in Wilderness medicine, with a diploma in mountain medicine. He's a member of FEMA Urban Search and Rescue, Indiana Task Force 1.

2026 Sessions

The Overlooked Pipeline: Bridging Education, Generations, and Systems with Collegiate EMS

Yes, I understand

Collegiate EMS programs are often student-run, under-resourced, and overlooked, but they serve as powerful training grounds for future EMS clinicians, leaders, and physicians. These agencies provide critical medical services, filling response gaps on campus and in surrounding communities. Their operational models vary widely, from BLS event standby to full-transport ALS services, tailored to local needs and institutional support. Many collaborate with local EMS, fire, and hospital systems, playing key roles in surge capacity and interagency coordination. Despite their value, most operate without structured mentorship or integration into the broader EMS ecosystem.

This presentation explores how EMS physicians can support these programs through scalable, low-effort mentorship and engagement to enhance leadership, foster professional identity, and build workforce pipelines that benefit local EMS systems. Collegiate EMS represents a high-impact, underutilized opportunity to mentor emerging talent and strengthen the future of prehospital medicine through education, collaboration, and employment pathways.

Panelist (3 or more Presenters)

Thursday, October 01 8:00–9:00 AM
Room W230 A
Faculty

Adhitya Balaji

MS-4, BS, NREMT
Medical Student
Indiana University School of Medicine

Adhitya Balaji, MS-4, BS, NREMT is a fourth-year medical student at the Indiana University School of Medicine from Greenwood, IN. He double majored at IU Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in both Molecular Life Sciences and Neuroscience, along with a Minor in Economics. Adhitya is actively involved in EMS through his role in quality assurance and education for IU Health LifeLine, while working clinically as an EMT on a 9-1-1 ambulance. He also serves as the Co-Director of Journal Operations for The Journal of Collegiate Emergency Medical Services and as Executive Director for IC-EMS at IU, the collegiate EMS agency at IU. His research interests focus on EMS, simulation, quality improvement, and medical education. He plans to pursue a career in emergency medicine with further interests in prehospital medicine.

Faculty

David Rodgers

EdD, NRP, FAHA, FSSH
Director, Interprofessional Simulation Center
Indiana University/IU Health

Dr. David L. Rodgers, EdD, NRP, FAHA, FSSH , is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare simulation and emergency cardiovascular care education. He currently serves as the Director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Bloomington, IN , and holds the rank of Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine. Dr. Rodgers earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction from Marshall University and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP). His major accomplishments include his service as Chair of the American Heart Association's National Emergency Cardiovascular Care Education Subcommittee , being a two-time recipient of the Trustees Teaching Award from Indiana University , and being a member of the Editorial Board for the journal Simulation in Healthcare.

Faculty

Drew Watters

MD, FACEP, FAWM DiMM
Professor of Emergency Medicine Practice
Indiana University School of Medicine

Dr. Drew Watters, MD FACEP FAWM DiMM, is a professor of emergency medicine with the Indiana University School of Medicine. He is medical director for the IC-EMS at Indiana University. He is medical director for multiple other EMS and fire agencies in the region, and works clinically at IU Health Bloomington. He has a fellowship in Wilderness medicine, with a diploma in mountain medicine. He's a member of FEMA Urban Search and Rescue, Indiana Task Force 1.
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