KEMSA Educators society BALLOT 2025 - Nominees

See voting instructions on the bottom of this page.  Voting closes Wednesday, Oct. 1 at noon.

Candidates (in order by position and alphabetical by last name)

Vice-Chair

Chrissy Bartel
Norwich Ambulance Service 

I am submitting my nomination for the KEMSA Peer Support Society to retain my seat as the vice chair.  I have served in this capacity since 2015.  Throughout the past nine years, I have been an active part of the educator society.  I have assisted in planning multiple workshops, brought educational opportunities to Kansas EMS educators, and continued to stay involved at the state level to ensure educators have a voice. 

I have been in EMS since 2002, currently serving as the director of Norwich EMS.  I began teaching in 2005, acquired my IC in 2008 and am still teaching both continuing education as well as initial courses. I am passionate about quality education for our EMS providers, ensuring our profession's providers leave the classroom prepared to take care of patients.  Education is very important to me, not only providing support to students but to other educators as well. 

At Large Position Nominee

Kara Lawrence
Pawnee County EMS

Kara Lawrence is the Director of Pawnee County EMS in Larned, KS.  She is a paramedic with 21 years of experience in EMS that includes volunteering for small, rural departments as well as full-time experience with a higher call volume department.  She also obtained her RN in 2020 and has served in her community, working in the ER as needed.

Shortly after beginning her EMS career, Kara was given the opportunity to lab assist for EMT classes.  This experience exposed an unexpected passion in her for teaching.  Over the next several years she was blessed to teach EMT classes under the mentorship of others, until obtaining her IC in 2013.  In 2016 she was honored to be selected as the Donald E White Educator of the Year. 

Kara’s teaching style incorporates a variety of methods with a single focus of understanding, not memorization.  She strongly advocates for high standards in both initial and continuing education as she believes thorough education is the strongest foundation for excellence in patient care. 

Kara is seeking election for the KEMSA Educator Society as the member at large.  She has been active with the society in presenting for the fall 2024 core conference, along with presenting at the 2025 summer conference.  She looks forward to being a voice for EMS education throughout Kansas and mentoring the next generation of EMS educators.

Clay Steele
Wellington Fire/EMS

I am writing this to express interest in the position of Member at Large for the KEMSA Educator’s Society. I have now been a member of the Educator’s Society for several years. Of all of all of the different areas of paramedicine, few interest me like education. I have been in the field of EMS since 2017 and I have been involved in EMS education since 2018. I have been fortunate to work with all levels of EMS providers, from EMRs to critical care paramedics, in a variety of situations. From the collegiate setting to the firehouse, all forms of EMS education is a passion of mine.

With education being so critical to the future of EMS, state level advocacy for EMS educators is critical. KEMSA does so much for the well being and furtherance of EMS providers in Kansas. The Educator’s Society has recently done so much for educators, from conference lectures to continuing education events. It would be an honor to work alongside the Educator’s Society as they continue to advance EMS education in Kansas.

As a member at large, I would look forward to working alongside the rest of the Educator’s Society team, both by attending meetings and assisting with events. I feel that my desire to further education as well as my current role as both a field provider/educator would make me a valuable asset to the team.

I am grateful for the opportunity to submit my request to be considered for this position as it is something I do with humility and gratitude. I look forward to continuing to see the Educator’s Society do great things.

How to vote:

1) Read the biographical information about the candidates and why they want to be on the Educators Society Board. You will only get to vote for one person in each position.

2) Take a few seconds to vote using our electronic ballot (available until Oct. 1 at noon)
Note: Members must login to vote since you must be a verified KEMSA Member and a member of the Educators Society for your vote to be counted!
If you have never logged in, you can activate your account by clicking on the login button at the very top right corner of this website. On the login screen, click the "forgot password" link.

Enter the e-mail address we have on file, and it will provide you with directions via e-mail about setting your password. Then come back and login to gain access to your profile information, events, and your membership information. If you have trouble, contact kari@kemsa.org.

Voting closes Oct. 1 at noon.