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A Commonwealth United by Purpose<\/span><\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As Virginia recognizes Women\u2019s History Month, the Commonwealth\u2019s public health and emergency medical services system finds itself in a historic moment of leadership and alignment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From the Executive Mansion to the State EMS Advisory Board, women are shaping the direction of Virginia\u2019s emergency and public health infrastructure at every level.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The election of Governor Abigail Spanberger as the first woman to serve as Governor of Virginia marked a defining milestone in the Commonwealth\u2019s history. Her administration reflects a renewed commitment to service-driven policy, representation, and community-centered leadership.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Within the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), this new chapter continues under the leadership of State Health Commissioner <\/span>B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD, w<\/span>hose medical and legal background reinforces a whole-of-system approach to public health and emergency preparedness. That framework aligns public health, healthcare systems, emergency medical services, and community partners into a coordinated structure designed to strengthen system resilience, advance health equity, and enhance the Commonwealth\u2019s ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from public health and medical emergencies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Within the Office of Emergency Medical Services\u00a0(OEMS), Dr. Maria Beermann-Foat recently completed her first year as Director. Her career spans service as an EMT, paramedic,\u00a0training\u00a0chief, operations\u00a0battalion\u00a0chief, and quality management\u00a0division chief. Her leadership reflects operational depth, clinical\u00a0expertise, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Supporting this work is Deputy Commissioner Stephanie Dunkel, who oversees Population Health and Preparedness and ensures strategic alignment across VDH\u2019s emergency response and public health systems.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Within the State EMS Advisory Board, Dr. Paula Ferrada now serves as Chair, with Beth Matish serving as Vice Chair. Their appointments\u00a0represent\u00a0a significant moment in Virginia EMS history, reinforcing the depth of\u00a0expertise\u00a0and leadership guiding the statewide system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Leadership alignment coincides with one of the most significant governance realignments in Virginia EMS history.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As of January 1, 2026, contracts for the Commonwealth\u2019s seven designated EMS regions went into effect, completing the transition from eleven regional councils\u00a0to a streamlined seven-region structure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This reform was rooted in extensive stakeholder engagement and system-level assessment. The\u00a0objective\u00a0was deliberate: strengthen coordination, improve administrative alignment, ensure\u00a0equitable\u00a0regional representation, and enhance long-term sustainability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The transition includes a defined ramp-up period, allowing regions to\u00a0establish\u00a0operational presence across their full geographic areas,\u00a0finalize\u00a0contract deliverables, and\u00a0maintain\u00a0continuity of services. OEMS coordinators continue working alongside both new and transitioning councils to ensure a structured and supported implementation.\u00a0\u00a0This measured approach reinforces operational continuity while strengthening equity in representation and consistent service delivery across the Commonwealth.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Under Director Beermann-Foat\u2019s leadership, Year One focused on a comprehensive assessment of Virginia\u2019s EMS environment,\u00a0identifying\u00a0structural and operational opportunities for improvement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Year Two shifts toward deeper engagement within statewide systems, with emphasis on partnership across the newly structured regions. Collaborative initiative development and strengthened coordination across the EMS continuum are central priorities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n VDH recognizes that system improvement is not achieved solely through policy updates. It requires sustained engagement with those delivering care on the ground, including clinicians, educators, administrators, volunteers, and regional leaders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The mission\u00a0remains\u00a0clear:\u00a0To reduce death and disability from sudden illness or injury by planning and developing a comprehensive, coordinated statewide EMS system that delivers high-quality emergency medical care.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What has evolved is how leadership, governance, and regional execution align to meet that mission.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Virginia\u2019s progress in EMS is not simply structural. It is cultural.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Commonwealth is building a system rooted in collaboration, transparency, and accountability. Leadership across VDH and the EMS community reflects both experience and representation, reinforcing a unified direction for the future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we recognize Women\u2019s History Month, we also recognize the broader workforce whose dedication sustains Virginia\u2019s EMS system every day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With new executive leadership, a strengthened public health framework, and historic representation across EMS governance, Virginia enters this chapter with confidence and clarity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A Commonwealth united by purpose is not merely adapting to change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is leading it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A Commonwealth United by Purpose By: Mohamed G. Abbamin, MPA Senior Policy Analyst Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services \u00a0 Women Leading with Purpose\u00a0\u00a0 As Virginia recognizes Women\u2019s History Month, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":32702,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-featured"],"modified_by":"marianhunter","yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/span>By: Mohamed G. Abbamin, MPA
\nSenior Policy Analyst
\nVirginia Office of Emergency Medical Services<\/p>\nWomen Leading with Purpose\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Structural Reform in Action<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
A System Grounded in Engagement<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Purpose in Motion<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n