Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Emergency Medical Care program welcomes new adjunct faculty members Dr. Raphael Barishansky, Bryan Ericson and Matthew Streger. Each brings a wealth of expertise in the courses that they’ll be teaching 

Barishansky, DrPH, is a seasoned EMS and public health leader with over 25 years of experience in emergency medical services, preparedness and health policy. In the public sector, he has served as Executive Director of New York’s Hudson Valley EMS Council, Chief of Public Health Emergency Response for Maryland’s Prince George’s County, Director of the Connecticut Office of EMS, and Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for Health Preparedness. As a consultant, he has led global preparedness projects for organizations like the World Health Organization and the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and spent 14 years as Site Review Team Leader for the Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Dr. Barishansky will teach EMC 400- Emergency Care Systems Management. Ericson, M.Ed., RN, NRP, NCEE, is a paramedic, registered nurse and nationally recognized EMS educator with over 36 years of experience. He began his healthcare career in 1987 as a combat medical specialist in the U.S. Army and has since trained thousands of healthcare professionals across the country as a master educator. Ericson is the director of EMS Education Programs at Tarrant County College in Texas. He served as president of the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) from 2019 to 2023 and directed the 2021 revision of the National EMS Education Standards, helping shape the future of EMS education nationwide. Mr. Ericson will teach EMC 440- EMS Instruction. 

Streger is a paramedic and attorney with nearly 40 years of emergency medical services (EMS) experience, currently serving as partner at Keavney & Streger in New Jersey and principal at the consulting and education firm, EMSaegis, LLC. He has practiced law since 2006, and held leadership roles in EMS systems across four states, including serving as deputy commissioner of EMS in Cleveland and executive director at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He has earned multiple honors for his service to EMS and health law, and developed the EMS legal content for FOAMFrat. Mr. Streger will teach EMC 430- Legal and Ethical Aspects of EMS.

The combined expertise of Barishansky, Ericson and Streger in EMS education, public health leadership, law, and ethics and frontline care brings unparalleled depth to the classroom and strengthens EKU’s commitment to preparing the next generation of emergency medical professionals. EKU’s Emergency Medical Care program is the longest-accredited in Kentucky and the second longest-accredited in the United States, providing outstanding education in prehospital emergency care. 

By Christina Rannells