Jan. 18, 2022 — The Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) today announced the resignation of Jim Winham as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Effective immediately, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Wiley Williams, has asked EMSA’s Chief Compliance and Chief Administrative Officer Johna Easley to serve as interim President and CEO. Easley has been with the EMSA system since 2009. She has an extensive background in public health and healthcare system management and has held multiple command staff positions during large-scale response operations. While at EMSA, Easley has been responsible for leading the implementation of large organizational projects, process improvement initiatives as well as administrative services, while working diligently to ensure that EMSA follows established best practices in healthcare compliance.
Additionally, the Board Chair has asked EMSA’s Chief Information Officer Frank Gresh to serve as interim Chief Operating Officer (COO). Gresh has served the EMSA system for more than 23 years. In addition, over the past 37 years, he has been involved in EMS operations, communications and technology, including 10 years working as an EMT and paramedic. Currently, Gresh oversees all aspects of EMSA’s technology infrastructure, computer systems, radio systems and clinical technology.
“I want to thank Jim for his many years of service to EMSA and his commitment to leading the organization–most notably his leadership through a continuing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Wiley Williams, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The Board will meet later this week to accept Winham’s resignation and confirm the interim appointments. I anticipate the Board will conduct a nationwide search to identify a permanent CEO and COO who will uphold EMSA’s standard to ensure the organization is providing the highest quality emergency medical care possible to the Oklahomans it serves. In the interim, I am confident that our leadership team, with their extensive experience managing emergency service provider operations, will successfully guide the organization through this transition period.”
Additional information regarding EMSA can be found at www.emsaonline.com.
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About EMSA
EMSA and its contractor employ approximately 650 people, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, system status controllers, dispatchers, and healthcare billing and information technology specialists. The Medical Control Board, a group of Oklahoma emergency physicians, provides independent medical oversight for EMSA, develops treatment protocols and conducts quality improvement activities.
EMSA has provided advanced life support ambulance service in Oklahoma since 1978. The authority was established as a public utility model and independent trust authority of the city of Tulsa. EMSA expanded in 1990 to the city of Oklahoma City, at which time Tulsa and Oklahoma City became joint beneficiaries of the trust. Today, EMSA serves more than 1.1 million residents in Central and Northeast Oklahoma. Service areas include Tulsa, Sand Springs, Bixby, Jenks, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Nichols Hills, The Village, Lake Aluma, Arcadia and Valley Brook.
Media Contact:
Adam Paluka, APR
918-596-3120 (Office) 918-345-0081 (Cell)