Raphael Barishansky

Today’s EMS agencies demand a rare blend of managerial acumen and visionary leadership. Those at the helm must not only keep their organizations running smoothly but also steer them toward innovation and resilience in an ever-changing landscape.

Modern EMS leaders are constantly balancing short-term operational priorities—such as staffing, budgeting, and performance management—with longer-term strategic goals like advancing community paramedicine, strengthening public health integration, and preparing for emerging threats. This dual responsibility can be challenging, especially as EMS continues to evolve at the intersection of healthcare, public safety, and emergency preparedness.

Drawing on more than 30 years of EMS experience, Ray Barishansky will explore the realities of walking the fine line between manager and leader. Through real-world examples and practical insights, he’ll offer guidance for those striving to build efficient operations while inspiring the people behind them.

In the high-stakes, high-stress world of EMS management and leadership, logic alone won’t carry you through the toughest calls or the hardest conversations — emotion is always part of the equation. Whether you’re managing conflict, motivating a weary team, or making critical decisions under pressure, your ability to recognize and manage emotions — both yours and others’— can make the difference between success and burnout.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the often-overlooked leadership superpower. Research shows that up to 90% of leadership effectiveness is linked to EQ — not IQ. For EMS leaders, understanding how emotion drives communication, influences decisions, and shapes team dynamics isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Join Ray as he draws on more than 30 years of EMS experience —f rom the back of the ambulance to the upper levels of state government — to share practical tools, candid insights, and real-world scenarios that bring EQ to life. This session will challenge you to reflect, reset, and reframe how you lead through emotion — not around it.