GETAC Council
Draft Document
Texas EMS-Trauma and Emergency Healthcare System Performance Improvement Plan
A draft document of the Texas EMS-Trauma and Emergency Healthcare System Performance Improvement Plan (PI) is now available for review.
Statewide system performance improvement is a collaborative effort between DSHS, the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC), the Regional Advisory Councils, and stakeholders to monitor, evaluate, and improve processes of care and outcomes.
If you have questions or comments on the document, please email GETAC@dshs.texas.gov.
Policies and Procedures
Index of Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council Position Statements
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2019-A |
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2020-A |
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2020-B |
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2020-C |
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2020-D |
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2021-A |
Council Resources
American College of Surgeons (ACS) TQP best practices guidelines
Additional resources
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“An Analysis of Prehospital Emergency Medical Services as an Essential Service And as a Public Good in Economic Theory", Academy Project Number: 2178, to the Texas DSHS webpage for the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC).
External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to persons with disabilities.
For more information, please e-mail us.
GETAC Council Biographies
The Governor has appointed the following individuals to serve on the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council. The council recommends changes to the EMS/Trauma System in order to ensure that the community receives comprehensive and efficient emergency care.
Alan H. Tyroch, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Council Chair
Trauma Surgeon Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(14)
Term Expires: 01/01/2024
Alan Tyroch, M.D. of El Paso, is the Chair of Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, Texas Surgical Society, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Southwestern Surgical Congress, Western Surgical Association, American Trauma Society, Pediatric Trauma Society, Texas Medical Association, and El Paso County Medical Society. Tyroch received an Associate’s in Applied Sciences from Temple College, a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Texas A&M University, and a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He completed a general surgery internship at Baylor College of Medicine, a general surgery residency at Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency Program, and a Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at the University of California of San Francisco, Fresno campus.
Ryan Matthews, LP
Council Vice Chair
Private EMS Provider Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(5)
Term Expires: 01/01/2028
Ryan Matthews of Holliday is the president and CEO of Trans Star Ambulance in Wichita Falls and is a Licensed Paramedic. He is a member of the Texas EMS Alliance, the American Ambulance Association, and the Texas State Firemen and Fire Marshal’s Association. He is also treasurer and volunteer paramedic for the Holliday Volunteer Fire and Rescue and is the North Texas representative for the Emergency Medical Task Force. Matthews received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Texas Tech University.
Jeffery H. “Jeff” Barnhart, FACHE
Rural Trauma Facility Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(11)
Term Expires: 01/01/2028
Jeffery Barnhart of Canyon is the CEO of the Deaf Smith County Lynn County Hospital District and an Adjunct Professor at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and volunteers as a board member of the Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, and the Texas Hospital Trustees. Barnhart received a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management from Ottawa University and a Master of Science in Clinical Practice Management from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock.
Michael S. “Mike” Clements, EMT-P
EMS Fire Department Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(9)
Term Expires: 01/01/2026
Mike Clements of Cypress is an Assistant Chief with the Cy-Fair Fire Department and a Captain with the City of College Station Fire Department. He is a member of the Texas State Association of Firefighters and the International Association of Firefighters. He is a member of the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Eagle Scout Review Board for the Boy Scouts of America, Big Cypress District, and previously was president of the College Station Professional Fire Fighters Association. Clements received an associate’s degree from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Public Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.
James M. (Mike) DeLoach
County EMS Provider Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(12)
Term Expires: 01/01/2026
James M. (Mike) DeLoach is the owner of West Texas EMS Resources and Lamb County judge. He is chair of South Plains EMS, a board member of the South Plains Association of Governments, and an executive board member of the Trauma Services Area B Regional Advisory Council (TSA-B RAC). He is also a volunteer paramedic for Littlefield EMS and a member of the Littlefield Rotary Club. DeLoach received a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University and completed emergency medical technician training in 1987 at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center.
Brian Eastridge, MD
Urban Trauma Facility Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(10)
Term Expires: 01/01/2026
Brian J. Eastridge, M.D. of San Antonio, is Professor and Chief of the Division of Trauma and Emergency General Surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Eastridge received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He entered the U.S. Army Reserve as a second lieutenant Medical Service Corps officer during medical school. He completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Maryland Medical System, then pursued fellowship training in surgical critical care at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He went onto active duty in the United States Army and served as Trauma Medical Director for the Brooke Army Medical Center. He was appointed as the first Joint Theater Trauma System Director responsible for initiating a first-of-its-kind, formal combat trauma system on the battlefield. Subsequently, he went on to serve as the Director of the Joint Trauma System (United States Army Institute of Surgical Research of the Army's Medical Research and Material Command) and Trauma Consultant to the United States Army Surgeon General. For his military service in system development and improving combat casualty care, he was awarded the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Combat Casualty Care Program Award for Excellence. With six combat deployments, his military awards and decorations include the Combat Medical Badge, Combat Action Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He is also a member of the prestigious Order of Military Medical Merit.
Della Johnson, RN
RN w/Trauma Expertise Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(15)
Term Expires: 01/01/2026
Della Johnson of Mesquite is a trauma service manager with Parkland Health and Hospital System. Her certifications include CPR, ACLS, PALS, BDLS, ABLS, CEN, and ATCN, which she also serves as an instructor. Johnson received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Prairie View A&M University.
Billy "Scott" Lail, EMT-P, FP-C
Fire Chief Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(4)
Term Expires: 01/01/2028
Billy "Scott" Lail of Glen Rose is the Fire Chief for the City of Cleburne Fire Department. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Texas Fire Chief’s Association and a former member of the International Association of Firefighters. He volunteers as the Deacon at Stephenville Christian Reformed Church. Lail received an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Cleburne Hill College.
Lucille Maes, LP
Certified Paramedic Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(17)
Term Expires: 01/01/2024
Lucille Maes of Angleton is the Chief of the Angleton Area Emergency Medical Corps, Inc. She is a member of the Texas EMS Alliance and the American Ambulance Association and a former member of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and the National EMS Management Association. She has served on the board of directors and currently serves as an advisory member of the Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force. Maes received her Paramedic certification from San Jacinto College.
Sharon Ann Malone, MD
EMS Medical Director Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(2)
Term Expires: 01/01/2024
Sharon Malone, M.D. of Van Alstyne, is the Medical Director for EMS services in Grayson, Lamar, Dallas, and Tarrant counties. In addition, she is the EMS Education Medical Director for Collin College EMS Education and Paris Junior College EMS Education Programs. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, and the National Association of EMS Educators. Malone received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Ruben A. Martinez
Public Member Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(18)
Term Expires: 01/01/2028
Ruben A. Martinez of Premont is President and CEO of Zenitram Enterprises LLC. He served on the Youth Advisory Board for the National Institute of Health and the COVID Prevention Network. He is the former President of the Chancellor's Student Advisory Council for the Texas A&M System and former Student Body President at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Martinez is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
Peter W. "Pete" Marocco
Public Member Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(18)
Term Expires: 01/01/2026
Peter Marocco of Dallas is an investor and the Managing Director of Endstate Strategies LLC. He is a Club for Growth Foundation fellow and serves on the advisory board for the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Marocco received a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs from Florida State University and a Master of International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford.
Karen Pickard, RN, LP
EMS Volunteer Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(6)
Term Expires: 01/01/2024
Karen Pickard of Ovilla is a registered nurse and paramedic and serves as a faculty member for the EMS Program at Navarro College in Waxahachie. She is the EMS Infection Control officer for the Wilmer Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the State Firemen and Fire Marshals Association of Texas, North Texas Firemen and Fire Marshals Association, and a mission lifeline participant for the American Heart Association. Pickard received a nursing degree from The University of Texas at Arlington and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Cassie Potvin, DNP, RN, CPEN, NEA-BC
Registered Nurse Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(3)
Term Expires: 01/01/2026
Cassie Potvin is the Trauma Service Line Director at Dell Children’s Medical Center (DCMC), a level 1 pediatric trauma center in Austin, Texas. Cassie oversees all clinical care for trauma patients, including the establishment of evidence-based trauma guidelines which guide the care plans for all injured patients at DCMC. Cassie also oversees the trauma and surgical advance practice team, the trauma research, injury prevention, child abuse research and education team (CARE), as well as the level 1 surgical verification team.
Cassie began her nursing education at Central Texas College with an Associate in Applied Sciences in 2002. She then obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in 2012. In 2017, Cassie obtained her Master's in Nursing Administration from Texas Tech University Health Science Center. In May of 2023, Cassie completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Texas, Austin.
Daniel "Danny" Ramirez, EMT-P
Stand-Alone EMS Agency Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(16)
Term Expires: 01/01/2028
Daniel "Danny" Ramirez of San Juan is the EMS Chief for the City of Pharr. He is a member of the Texas City Managers Association and the Texas EMS Association. He also volunteers for the Pharr Volunteer Fire Department. Ramirez received a degree as an Emergency Medical Technician from Texas State Technical College.
Taylor Ratcliff, MD, FACEP, FAEMS FF/EMT-LP
EMS Educator Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(7)
Term Expires: 01/01/2024
Taylor Ratcliff, M.D. of Temple, is the Central Texas Division Director of Pre-Hospital Medicine and Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at Scott & White Medical Center, Temple. He is an EMS physician providing medical direction to several central Texas EMS providers and first responders, as well as the Temple College EMS Health Professions program. He is the chair-elect of the Texas Chapter of the National Association of EMS Physicians and co-chair of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians EMS Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the National Association of EMS Physicians, the Texas Medical Association, and the American Medical Association, as well as a site visitor for the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions. Ratcliff received a Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine and is board certified in Emergency Medicine and EMS Medicine.
Katherine E. "Kate" Remick, M.D.
Pediatrician Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(13)
Term Expires: 01/01/2028
Katherine "Kate" Remick, M.D. of Austin, is an associate professor for Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and serves as the Medical Director for San Marcos Hays County EMS System. She is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the National Association of EMS Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Steering Committee. Additionally, she is the Medical Director for the Emergency Pediatric Care Course with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, volunteer for the Research Leadership Group for ESO Solutions, and co-director for the National Pediatric Readiness Project. Remick received a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona and a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Shawn Salter, RN
EMS Air Medical Service Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(8)
Term Expires: 01/01/2024
Shawn Salter of San Antonio is the South Central Regional Director for Air
Methods Corporation and a registered nurse. He previously served as the Region IV Director for the Association of Air Medical Services and chaired the Standards Committee. He is a member of the Air & Surface Transport Nursing Association, the Association of Critical Care Flight Paramedics, and the Texas Association of Air Medical Services. Salter received a nursing degree from San Jacinto Junior College.
Gerad Troutman, MD, FACEP
Emergency Physician Per Health and Safety Code §773.012(b)(1)
Term Expires: 01/01/2026
Gerad Troutman, M.D. of Lubbock, is the EMS Medical Director for Lubbock and Amarillo and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He is a past president of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians. Currently, he serves as a Delegate to the House for the Texas Medical Association and a committee member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and he is a member of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the Texas Association of EMS Physicians. Additionally, he volunteers as a member of Lions Club International. Troutman received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Midwestern State University, a Master of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University, and a Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.