Last Updated: December 17, 2024
(Richmond, Va.) – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is pleased to announce that Maria Beermann-Foat, PhD, NRP, will be the new director of the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). VDH conducted a nationwide search to fill this key leadership role yielding nearly 150 applicants over two application cycles. Interview panels included representatives from key stakeholder groups, including the Governor’s State EMS Advisory Board, Virginia’s Regional EMS Councils, the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, and VDH leadership.
“Emergency Medical Services plays a key role in the health of Virginians, and I am excited that Dr. Beermann-Foat will be joining us at such an important time while we work with stakeholders to improve Virginia’s statewide EMS system,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D. “Over the last year VDH has taken proactive steps to address the issues faced within the Office of EMS, and part of that process has included the recruitment of a new director. We are happy that Dr. Beermann-Foat has accepted this new role and will lead Virginia’s path forward to a well-supported EMS system.”
“The past year has been challenging for Virginia’s EMS system, including the staff in the Office of EMS, a team that has been incredibly resilient and steadfast in continuing the good work that they have always done. We are now at a turning point, where we will shift our focus forward to building an EMS system that is even more comprehensive of the needs of today’s providers. Dr. Beermann-Foat brings the background and the skill set to unite EMS stakeholders around that common goal,” said R. Christopher Lindsay, Chief Operating Officer of VDH. “As an EMS provider myself, I am excited to see where her leadership takes the EMS system in Virginia.”
Dr. Beermann-Foat joins Virginia’s Office of EMS with an extensive background in EMS and fire leadership, as well organizational management and significant educational experience. Dr. Beermann-Foat will formally begin her role at OEMS on January 25, 2025.
“I am honored to have been selected as the Director of Virginia’s Office of EMS at such a pivotal time. My priority is to unite our dedicated team and stakeholders by fostering open communication and collaboration,” said Dr. Maria Beermann-Foat. “The past two years have been a time of critical discovery and a great deal of work has already begun to address these challenges; but, they’ve also highlighted the resilience and commitment of our EMS community. I am dedicated to building trust, strengthening partnerships, and delivering innovative solutions that reflect the needs of those we serve. Together, we will advance our shared mission to provide exceptional emergency medical services and enhance public health outcomes across the State of Virginia.”
Chief Vance Cooper, President of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and Tracey McLaurin, Executive Director of the Lord Fairfax EMS Council and Chair of the Regional EMS Council Executive Directors group, participated in the first round of interviews alongside VDH senior leaders.
“I appreciate VDH inviting Virginia’s fire service to participate in the hiring process for a new OEMS Director. Each phase brought further understanding of each candidate’s ability and willingness to inspire, share, and model a better way forward. The Virginia Fire Chiefs Association is looking forward to building a strong relationship with OEMS’ new director Dr. Maria Beermann-Foat and her team,” said Chief Vance Cooper, President, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association.
“I’m very excited about the experiences and ideas that Dr. Beermann-Foat brings to this position to help our EMS system in the Commonwealth move forward into a new era, one that is forward thinking and ready for tomorrow’s challenges,” said Tracey McLaurin, Executive Director, Lord Fairfax EMS Council and Chair of the Regional EMS Council Executive Directors group.
During the second round of interviews with finalists, Kevin Dillard, Chairman of the Governor’s State EMS Advisory Board, represented various EMS stakeholder groups across Virginia.
“I am excited to begin working with Dr. Beermann-Foat as we work to move Virginia’s EMS system towards becoming the best EMS system in the country. Her strong background in EMS and Fire leadership coupled with her national reputation for excellence will set Virginia EMS on a clear path to greatness. I speak for the EMS Advisory Board when I say that Dr. Beermann-Foat’s leadership will prove very pivotal as we continue to reimagine what EMS in Virginia looks like for years to come,” said Kevin Dillard, Chairman, Governor’s State EMS Advisory Board.
Maria Beermann-Foat, Ph.D., NRP, has over 25 years of prehospital emergency care experience in privately-owned, hospital-based, county government-based and fire-based emergency services. Dr. Beermann-Foat most recently served as the EMS Training Coordinator for the Eugene Springfield Fire Department (Oregon) during the department’s transition from a dual-role to a single-role EMS system. In this position, Dr. Beermann-Foat served as a primary change agent in the development of the newly formed EMS Division where she successfully structured an EMS-specific academy model and modified the existing EMS training program to achieve the strategic vision of becoming a regional training center. Prior to joining Eugene Springfield Fire in January 2022, Dr. Beermann-Foat served Johnson County (Kansas) MED-ACT- Emergency Medical Services, where she last held the position of Battalion Chief of Operations. Since first joining MED-ACT in 1999 as a paramedic, she moved up the ranks in the roles of community education officer/PIO, captain/field training officer, battalion chief of training, and division chief of quality management.
At the national level, Dr. Beermann-Foat has served to further the EMS profession and resolve issues pertaining to EMS retention and recruitment, workforce engagement, and EMS research through volunteer roles in many professional and industry associations. She recently served as Director, At-Large for the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Board of Directors as well as editorial advisory board member for several nationally known EMS publications including EMS1.com and the International Journal of Paramedicine. Through her position as a course developer and instructor for the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland – a leading emergency services instructional campus operated by FEMA – her efforts have contributed toward preparing fire department and EMS department administrators in the areas of quality management and application of research methods for organizational improvement.
Dr. Beermann-Foat holds a Ph.D. in Organization Management from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from MidAmerica Nazarene University, and a City and County Management Graduate Certificate from the University of Kansas.
Read more about Dr. Beermann-Foat’s extensive background and experience in EMS at the local, state and national level. For more information about the Virginia Office of EMS, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/.