The H&H Impact

In Episode 18 of the H&H Impact Podcast, host Stephen Hartz is joined by EMS leaders Pat Songer and Charles Blankenship for a powerful discussion on disaster preparedness, leadership under pressure, and what happens when even the best emergency plans fail. The conversation is anchored by Stephen's firsthand account of surviving a devastating earthquake in Colombia, where he witnessed collapsed buildings, overwhelmed emergency services, disrupted communications, and communities coming together to save lives.

Drawing on decades of combined experience in EMS, disaster response, and emergency management, Pat and Charles explore the realities of large-scale disasters and the critical importance of communication, leadership, and adaptability. The trio discusses why emergency operations plans should be viewed as living documents, how tabletop exercises prepare organizations to respond when the unexpected occurs, and why organizations must build redundancy into their communications and response systems.

What can a therapist teach us about leadership? A lot, it turns out. In Episode 17 of the H&H Impact Podcast, host Stephen Hartz sits down with Patrick Ciardullo — CEO and Chief of Service of a Connecticut paramedic transport service, NEMSMA board member, and practicing clinical mental health therapist — to explore "The Alliance Effect," Patrick's approach to leading with a therapeutic lens.

Drawing on Carl Rogers' client-centered philosophy, Patrick explains how the therapeutic alliance — a relationship built on trust, authenticity, and shared goals — mirrors what the best leaders do every day. Together, Stephen and Patrick unpack how to balance empathy with accountability, why "validating someone isn't agreeing with them," the exhausting but essential skill of active listening, and how kindness (not niceness) drives psychological safety, retention, and even the bottom line.

Patrick also shares a candid story about his own leadership misstep with transparency — and the lesson it taught him about follow-through and trust. Whether you lead an EMS agency, a hospital team, or any organization, this conversation delivers practical tools you can use today. Tune in — and get ready to listen differently.

Charles Hall welcomes Dr. Jeremy Silver, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer of DEMI Healthcare Partners, to discuss his journey from sales to emergency medicine and healthcare leadership. The conversation explores DEMI’s physician-owned model and its work to strengthen rural hospitals through clinical leadership, patient engagement, telehealth, and collaborative partnerships that improve outcomes and keep care local.

In this midyear H&H Impact Podcast, Stephen Hartz and Charles Hall reflect on the first half of 2026 and discuss the opportunities shaping rural healthcare's future. From EMS leadership and workforce development to RHTP funding, strategic planning, and sustainable healthcare innovation, they share insights from organizations across the country. The episode also highlights client success stories, emerging industry trends, and practical strategies healthcare leaders can use to strengthen their organizations for the years ahead.

In this episode of the H&H Leadership Podcast, Charles Hall sits down with Rear Admiral (Ret.) Pam Miller to discuss the leadership principles that shaped more than three decades of service in military medicine and their relevance to today's healthcare leaders. Admiral Miller shares her journey from nursing assistant to Rear Admiral, highlighting the importance of servant leadership, mission-driven culture, organizational readiness, accountability, and investing in people. The conversation explores how military leadership practices can strengthen civilian healthcare organizations by fostering resilient teams, proactive leadership, and a culture where every individual understands their purpose and contributes to exceptional patient care.

In this episode, Stephen Hartz sits down with Rosemary Wurster to explore the evolving role of nurse leadership in today’s complex healthcare environment. Rosemary shares her journey from EMS to system chief nurse executive, emphasizing people-centered leadership, accountability, and “micro moments” that shape culture. The discussion highlights aligning teams around patient care, navigating system-wide challenges, and preparing for future healthcare demands—illustrating how nursing leadership drives both organizational success and patient outcomes.

Join us for a proactive conversation with Michael Hassell, CEO of Melissa Memorial Hospital, as he shares how visionary leadership, strategic innovation, and a commitment to rural healthcare are driving success across Colorado. Michael discusses overcoming challenges, building high-performing teams, and leading transformational change to strengthen healthcare access and community impact.

In Episode 11 of the H&H Impact Podcast, Stephen Hartz and Pat Songer explore the evolving role of EMS in rural healthcare. They discuss how integrating EMS into health systems can improve patient outcomes, expand access, and drive financial sustainability. Key themes include mobile integrated health, staffing challenges, payment reform, and the importance of leadership and quality standards. Pat highlights the critical work of organizations like NEMSMA and NEMSQA in advancing leadership development and quality measurement, emphasizing that sustainable EMS systems depend on innovation, funding, and a commitment to continuous improvement in patient care.