Back to Faculty
Faculty

Matthew Levy

DO, MSc, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP
Chief Medical Officer / EMS Medical Director
Howard County Fire / Johns Hopkins

Dr. Matthew Levy is an EMS physician, educator, and civic leader with three decades of experience. He holds full-time appointments at Johns Hopkins University in Emergency Medicine and Surgery, serving as Deputy Director of Operational Medicine. Dr. Levy is Medical Director of EMS Education for the American Red Cross and Chief Medical Officer for Howard County Fire and Rescue Services. He also serves as Central Maryland's Regional EMS Medical Director for the Maryland State EMS Agency, MIEMSS. A Fellow of both the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Academy of Emergency Medical Services, and actively participates in local, state, federal, and international organizations focused on prehospital, operational, and disaster medicine.

2026 Sessions

The Art of the Consult: Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say, Get What Patients Need

Radio consultations are a cornerstone of prehospital care, yet many EMS clinicians report anxiety and uncertainty when communicating with medical control. Despite being essential for complex decision-making, medication orders, and protocol deviations, radio consults often suffer from unclear communication, incomplete information transfer, and missed clinical details. This communication breakdown can delay critical interventions, compromise patient safety, and erode confidence between field providers and receiving physicians. The challenge isn't just technical—it's about building structured, confident communication skills that ensure patients receive optimal care when protocols alone aren't sufficient.

Effective radio consultation requires more than medical knowledge; it demands clear articulation of clinical findings, concise presentation of relevant information, and confident advocacy for patient needs. This session addresses common barriers to successful radio communication, including fear of judgment, unclear presentation structure, and uncertainty about when consultation is appropriate. Participants will learn proven strategies for organizing clinical information, presenting cases confidently, and ensuring their communication translates into actionable medical direction. Through interactive scenarios and practical tools, this session transforms radio consultation from a source of stress into a powerful clinical resource that enhances patient care and professional confidence.

Co-Speaker

Friday, May 29 10:40–11:10 AM
Room Waller Ballroom B
Faculty

Matthew Levy

DO, MSc, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP
Chief Medical Officer / EMS Medical Director
Howard County Fire / Johns Hopkins

Dr. Matthew Levy is an EMS physician, educator, and civic leader with three decades of experience. He holds full-time appointments at Johns Hopkins University in Emergency Medicine and Surgery, serving as Deputy Director of Operational Medicine. Dr. Levy is Medical Director of EMS Education for the American Red Cross and Chief Medical Officer for Howard County Fire and Rescue Services. He also serves as Central Maryland's Regional EMS Medical Director for the Maryland State EMS Agency, MIEMSS. A Fellow of both the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Academy of Emergency Medical Services, and actively participates in local, state, federal, and international organizations focused on prehospital, operational, and disaster medicine.

Faculty

Keith Vetreno

MS, MPH, EMT
Firefighter EMT, Com L, Com T
Johns Hopkins / Howard County Fire / Rescue

Keith Vetreno brings nearly four decades of EMS experience, spanning frontline EMT and Paramedic roles, to the Communications Officer, Chief Officer, Government Official, and Corporate Executive roles in public safety communications. This unique progression provides unparalleled insight into the challenges of EMS radio consultation.

With graduate degrees in public health and computer science, Keith bridges healthcare delivery and communication technology, understanding how system design impacts clinical outcomes. His extensive field experience gives him firsthand knowledge of communication barriers and anxieties clinicians face during radio consultations, while his roles provide a strategic perspective.

He specializes in improving patient care through pragmatic, evidence-based enhancements to communication systems. Internationally recognized in public safety leadership, communications, and disaster response, he develops implementable solutions that improve patient outcomes and enhance provider medical control interactions.
Back to top