DONNIE WOODYARD JR.,MAML, NRP,WP-C, the author of EMS in the United States: Fragmented Past, Future of Opportunity has a career in Emergency Medical Services spanning three decades. His journey started in high school when he volunteered as an EMT in Pearisburg, Virginia. This initial experience sparked his interest in EMS, leading him to become a Paramedic at the age of 19 upon graduating from Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. Pursuing higher education, Donnie acquired another undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Liberty University. He is currently enrolled in the Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School, a certificate in AI in Healthcare at Harvard University, while concurrently working on his Doctorate degree in Public Administration.

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In 1999, Donnie achieved certification as a Critical Care Paramedic through a combined program by the University of Maryland Baltimore County and Loyola University. This achievement was attained during his pre-med studies at Cedarville University. He also holds an IBSC Board Certification as a Wilderness Paramedic. Over his lengthy career, Donnie has taken on multiple EMS leadership roles, serving as an EMS Chief in volunteer and salaried positions, an EMS instructor, and the Paramedic Program Director for a community college and a hospital-based Paramedic program.

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Previously, Donnie served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State EMS Officials and Colorado's Emergency Medical Practice Advisory Council. He also served in multiple national leadership roles, including the State EMS Director for Louisiana and Chief of the Emergency Medical & Trauma Services Branch for the State of Colorado. As the Chief Operating Officer for the National Registry of EMTs, Donnie initiated several technological advancements including the National EMS ID Number, the NREMT mobile app, and the National EMS Coordinated Database.

 

Donnie's contributions have been integral to implementing the EMS Compact as Colorado’s Commissioner. He was elected to serve as the Chair of the Executive Committee for the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice after serving as Vice Chair. In 2023, he was appointed as the full-time Executive Director for the EMS Compact.

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Donnie's influence extends beyond national boundaries. He is recognized for establishing the modern EMS System in Sri Lanka and advising on EMS and trauma system designs in several South Asian countries. He has authored, edited, or consulted on EMS textbooks published in Sinhala, Tamil, Khmer, and Bengali languages.

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Beyond his work in EMS, Donnie is a skilled Scuba Dive Master, with over 800 dives to his credit. He is also an airplane pilot and currently serves as a Squadron Commander with the United States Air Force Auxiliary – Civil Air Patrol. His commitment to public service is further exemplified by his humanitarian work, having participated in disaster, war, and medical response aid missions in many countries including Haiti, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh.