Raffaella Coler, MEd, RN, EMT-P

Raffaella or "Ralf" Coler is the Director of the Department of EMS Education.   Ralf has over twenty-five years experience in the Emergency Department and in EMS.   She is a Regional Faculty Member for ACLS, BLS and PALS and is the Chairperson of the American Heart Association's Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee.  Ralf is also currently the President of the North Central EMS Council and she is the Chairperson of the State of Connecticut Education and Training Committee for EMS.

Sara Knuth, MD, MSW
Medical Director Ground EMS

Sara Knuth is our department medical director for educational and for medical control purposes.  Sara is an Attending Physician in the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department. 

Michael Zanker, MD
Associate Medical Director Ground EMS
mzanker@harthosp.org

Michael Zanker is the associate medical director for medical control for special services.  Mike is an Attending Physician in the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and has completed training as a Firefighter.  He is also the EMS Medical Director for Bio-Terrorism Planning for the State of Connecticut and the EMS Medical Director for the Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services, as well as the Unit Commander for the Connecticut Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT).

Richard Kamin, MD

Rich Kamin is a staff member in our department who is frequently a guest lecturer in a variety of programs. Dr. Kamin frequently serves as Medical Director for our Paramedic Programs.  He is an Attending in the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and completed the EMS Fellowship here at Hartford Hospital as well. He is also the Director of EMS at the John Dempsey Hospital and Medical Director of the LifeStar Helicopter Program.

Michael Zacchera, AS, NREMT-P                    
EMS Educator
mzacche@harthosp.org

Michael Zacchera has been with the department for five years and has held multiple positions within the department.  Mike has 19 years of experience in EMS. He presently Coordinates our American Heart Association Community Training Center and acts as our EMS liason. Mike is also the American Heart Association PALS National Faculty Member for Connecticut and serves as a member of the ECC Committee for the American Heart Association.

Anthony Paquette, MPH, EMT-P
EMS Educator
apaquet@harthosp.org

Anthony ("Tony") Paquette has been a staff member with EMS Education for many years. Tony is also a paramedic with Middlesex Hospital's Paramedic Program.  Tony is responsible for the Coordination of all Paramedic Training Programs. He was a key player in the development and teaching the Mark 1 Train-the-Trainer Program.

Marsha Sherman
Administrative Associate
msherma@harthosp.org

Marsha Sherman has been the administrative associate for the Department of EMS Education for the last 15 years.  Marsha is the backbone of our department and generally the first person that visitors have contact with.

Lynn Piacentini, RN, EMT-P

Lynn Piacentini is a part time staff member whose primary role is to be the Clinical Coordinator for the Paramedic Programs and the EMT-Intermediate Program.  Lynn's previous work experience includes having been a flight nurse for Life Star, an EMS Coordinator for Rockville General Hospital and Pediatric Transport Coordinator for Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

David Bailey, BS, EMT-P

Dave Bailey is the Coordinator of the Split Paramedic Program.  Dave is also a paramedic with Suffield EMS. Dave has also been the lead instructor our EMT programs.  He recently competed training as an EMS-Instructor.

Greg Berryman, EMT-P

Greg Berryman is the Coordinator the Paramedic Program.  Greg has lengthy experience in EMS and also works as a paramedic with Middlesex Hospital's Department of Emergency Services. 

Jim Jennings is the coordinator of our EMT Training Programs.  Jim is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Town of Manchester Fire Department and brings with him years of experience.

Lisa McCarroll, NREMT-P

Lisa McCarroll is one of our per-diem staff members.  Lisa instructs in the Paramedic Training Programs.  Lisa is also a full-time paramedic with Middlesex Hospital's Paramedic Program.

David Samuels, JD, NREMT-P
EMS Educator
dsamuel@harthosp.org

David "Dave" Samuels has been with the department for the past 6 years.  Dave has over 15 years of experience in EMS,  including certification as a paramedic and as an EMS Instructor.  He currently is a member of the ECC Committee of the American Heart Association as well as a lecturer in our Paramedic Training Programs.  Dave has previously been the EMS Coordinator and the Lead Instructor for the EMT-I classes. Dave is also currently an attorney with Robinson & Cole, LLC.

Rebecca Nicotera recently joined our department and like Marsha provides a great deal of behind the scenes work for our department.

Keith Byrne, EMT-P

Keith Byrne is a per-diem staff member who is a frequent instructor in our paramedic programs.  Keith is a paramedic and a West Hartford Firefighter.

Nick Cormier is a per-diem staff member who is one of our lead instructor for  MRT and MRT to EMT-Bridge programs.  Nick is an EMT-I and the President of the Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Association, as well as an EMS Instructor.

Scott Kerry is a frequent instructor for Basic Life Support programs, which includes CPR, AED and First Aid.  Scott is an EMT and a Firefighter at the Westover AFB in Massachusetts.

Rodrigo (Rod) Furtado is responsible for the EMT-Intermediate program.  Rod is also a Paramedic with the Hartford Division of AMR and he brings 14 years of EMS experience to the department.

Matthew Braunshweiger

Matthew Braunshweiger is responsible for the operations of the American Heart Association's BLS Training Center at Hartford Hospital.  Matthew is firefighter and paramedic with the East Hartford Fire Department.

Christopher Stone, NREMT-P, EMSI

Christopher Stone is the Coordinator of EMT Basic Programs.  Chris is a paramedic and firefighter for the South Fire District in Middletown.  He holds instructor certifications in many programs and is an EMSI.