Sessions & Speakers
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All sessions scheduled Tuesdays at 12:00pm - 1:00pm

February 3, 2026:  Crisis Communications​

Melissa McCoy, EPIO, Public Information Officer, Saline County, Kansas

Melissa McCoy, EPIO, began her career in the Marine Corps as a combat correspondent. After transitioning to civilian life, she worked in public and private aviation and later at an international boarding school before moving into government communications. She now oversees communications for Saline County, including media relations, public initiatives, and crisis communication. In addition to her county role, she teaches Public Information Officer courses for the Kansas Department of Emergency Management and regularly speaks on various aspects of public communications.

February 10, 2026:  Charting our Course: Strategic Planning for Growth, Collaboration and Community Connections

Jason Tiller, Director, Saline County Health Department & County Health Officer

​Jason Tiller brings a wealth of experience when speaking on strategic planning, community connection, and leadership empowerment. With 20 years of service as a Medical Specialist in the U.S. Army, where he provided critical trauma care in high-stakes environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan, Jason honed his skills in leadership and strategic decision-making under pressure. After retiring from military service, he seamlessly transitioned into public health, quickly rising from Health Educator to Director of the Saline County Health Department and the County Health Officer.

His roles have allowed him to build and lead public health initiatives, focusing on capacity-building and regional collaboration. As the Chair of the North Central Health Care Coalition and Past-President of the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments, Jason has demonstrated his ability to connect with communities, empower leaders, and strategically guide health organizations to achieve impactful outcomes.

​His academic background, including a Master’s in Health Education and a Bachelor’s in Public Health, further complements his practical experience, making him a well-rounded and insightful educator on these critical topics.

Candice Sauers, Deputy Director, Saline County Health Department

Candice Sauers is the Deputy Director at the Saline County Health Department. She serves as the subcommittee vice chair for the Public Health and Healthy Communities Health Steering Committee and is an active member of the Rural Action Caucus with the National Association of Counties (NACo).

​Candice is also the 2026 Treasurer for the Kansas Public Health Association (KPHA). Deeply engaged in her community, she serves with the mounted patrol and rescue squad and is active in several civic clubs. Her work is driven by a commitment to authentic communication, access, community engagement, and conservation.

February 17, 2026:  Integrating AI into your Preparedness Activities​

Sonja Armbruster, Public Health Associate Center for Public Health Initiatives, Community Engagement Institute, Wichita State University

Sonja Armbruster is driven by a deep curiosity about improving public health practice. Her work spans quality improvement, agency performance, health policy, workforce development, communication, and accreditation. As a performance improvement consultant with the Public Health Foundation, she provides training and technical assistance to health departments nationwide. She also leads facilitation and training through Armbruster Consulting LLC and supports Kansas health initiatives via Wichita State University’s Center for Public Health Initiatives.
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With over 25 years of experience teaching and facilitating, Sonja taught public health courses at Wichita State University and previously served as founding director of its Center for Public Health Initiatives. Her public health career began with a decade at the Sedgwick County Health Department, where she last served as Division Director for Community Health Planning and Performance Improvement.
 
​Sonja has been active in the Kansas Public Health Association since 2001, serving as president and in multiple leadership roles. She also served seven years on the Oral Health Kansas Board, including as president. In 2024, she received the Dr. Doren Fredrickson Commitment to Public Health Award.

February 24, 2026:  Real World Event – Cyber Attack

Julie Thomas, Safety Officer/Emergency Operations Manager, The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus

Julie Thomas is currently the Emergency Operation Manager for the University of Kansas Health System, St. Francis Campus. Her responsibilities involve Hospital Safety: Emergency Management, Environment of Care, Life Safety, and Management of the telecommunications team. She has been in this role for the last 12 years. Julie has also served as the Northeast Kansas Regional Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for 7 years prior to hiring Danielle Marten as her successor. Julie has worked in the Healthcare setting for the last 32 years. She started as a phlebotomist while she was completing her laboratory technology certification. She has been very active in the Emergency Management realm within UKHS St. Francis Campus. Julie is responsible for the Hospital Emergency Management Program and manages the exercises and real events within the hospital.

Julie is happily married to a wonderful man and has ten children, 6 significant others, 7 grandchildren as a part of her family. This makes her uniquely qualified to discuss emergency operations.

March 3, 2026:  OD2A Toolkit and the Overdose Spike Alert detection and notification process​

Laura Moore, Section Director of the Substance Use Prevention program, KDHE

Laura Moore is a dedicated public safety advocate with a passion for connecting with people through public speaking, training, and networking. She holds a bachelor's degree in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University and currently serves as a Section Director of the Substance Use Prevention program at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Scott provides epidemiological support to the Substance Use Disorder and Overdose Prevention section, KDHE

Scott Johnston is an epidemiologist at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Scott provides epidemiological support to the Substance Use Disorder and Overdose Prevention section at KDHE and utilizes a variety of data sources to monitor both fatal and non-fatal overdoses across Kansas.

March 10, 2026:  Life Safety / Emergency Preparedness for Long-Term Care Centers & Critical Access Hospitals​

Mindi Bremer, RN Life Safety/Emergency Preparedness for Long-Term Care Centers & Critical Access Hospitals

Mindi Bremer has an associate’s degree in nursing and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field with 19 plus years of experience in local, regional and state-wide disaster planning, training, exercise evaluation and sharing of lessons learned. She has served as a Southwest Kansas Healthcare Coalition Readiness and Response Coordinator and Clinical Advisor since March of 2020. Prior to this role she served as the SWKSHCC Chair for 10+ years. Mindi has also been a member of the All-Hazards Kansas Incident Support Team for 5+ years. Mindi has served as Wichita County LEPC Chair for 10+ years.

Mindi has a vast knowledge of Emergency Preparedness Management for Critical Access Hospitals and Long-Term Cares and educates members across the state in planning, training, and exercise. Mindi received her Healthcare Emergency Manager – Mastery (HcEM-M) from the Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals in 2024 and currently serves as a Mentor for AHEPP. She is also a certified trainer for the Hospital Emergency Response Team and Verified AHLS Instructor, allowing her the ability to train hospital staff on decontamination processes.
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In her free time, Mindi enjoys spending time with her 2 children, their spouses, and three grandchildren. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

March 17, 2026: World Cup Preparation in Kansas City​

Andrew Conyers, Healthcare Coalition Partners of Kansas​

Andrew has 13 years of experience working in emergency preparedness for healthcare. He started as an Emergency Planner for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness program in 2013 and has worked as a Regional Response Coordinator for Healthcare Coalition Partners of Kansas since. His Masters degree in Disaster and Emergency Management has equipped Andrew to help plan, train and exercise with HCC partners, improving readiness and regional coordination.

In his personal life, Andrew is a father to 4 young children and has a passion for adventure, with a love of Camping, Motorcycling, and Paragliding!

Andy Marshall, The University of Kansas Health System

​Andy Marshall is a Registered Nurse with 15 years of experience in Emergency and Trauma nursing in academic medical centers. He currently serves as the Emergency Management & Business Continuity Manager for The University of Kansas Health System, where he oversees numerous healthcare facilities, including an academic Level 1 Trauma Center. The system’s emergency management program supports approximately 25,000 employees and medical staff.

Andy’s first significant experience in healthcare emergency management came during the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma F5 tornado. At the time, he was working in a local pediatric emergency and trauma center, where he played a critical role in the patient care response. This experience, combined with his ongoing work in emergency departments, sparked a deep passion for emergency preparedness. He became actively involved in planning and response efforts for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) events.
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That passion ultimately led Andy to transition into a formal emergency management role, where he continues to support the health system's resiliency efforts.
In addition to his work at the health system, Andy serves as Chair of the Kansas Metro Healthcare Coalition and as Co-Chair of the MARC RHSCC Hospital Committee for the state of Kansas.

Chris Winger, Johnson County Med-Act

​Chris Winger is the Division Chief of Operations at Johnson County MED-ACT.  Chris has been with MED-ACT since 2005.  In his current position he is responsible for MED-ACT’s field operations and personnel.  He has a Bachelors Degree in Emergency Medical Services from Creighton University as well as a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. 

​During his time at MED-ACT, Chris has been heavily involved in the Bike Medic Team, the Tactical Medic Team, and services on the Board of Directors for the Heartland Tactical Officers Association.  Chris is the coordinator for the FIFA EMS Workgroup under the KC29 Health & Medical Committee coordinating the EMS agencies from across the Kansas City Metropolitan area.

March 24, 2026:  Recent Actual Event Review:  A Dusty Day on I-70​

Brian James, Sherman County Fire Rescue/NWKAS Fire/EMS Chief

Chief Brian James has served in fire and emergency services since 2003. Starting as a Firefighter/EMT-B with the Berthoud Fire Protection District CO then moving to Goodland KS where he became the Fire Chief for the City of Goodland. Under his supervision he coordinated a merger between the City and County Departments and lowered his response district’s ISO rating to three. In 2022, Chief James accepted a dual role as Sherman Counties Fire and EMS chief, initiating changes in department staffing and deployment, strategic planning, organizational culture, and the department’s community-focused mission. Chief James holds multiple IFSAC certifications, is a Nationally Certified Paramedic and holds AAS Degrees in both Fire Science and Paramedicine.

 Krista Alanis, Paramedic, NWKAS

Krista Alanis began her prehospital career as an EMR in Wyoming. Shortly after moving to Goodland, Kansas she became certified as an EMT and started work for Northwest Kansas Ambulance Service. She received her National Paramedic license in 2019. She was the youngest licensed paramedic in the state at that time. Currently, Krista is the Captain of B Shift and leads the QA Department as well as assisting with EMT and AEMT classes. She is rostered as a Disaster medical specialist with Kansas Task Force 7 and has training for critical care and austere environments.

Matthew Breininger, Lieutenant, Sherman County Fire Rescue

Matthew “Stubs” Breininger started his public service as a member of a mountain Search and rescue team in Colorado before moving to the flatlands of Kansas. In 2007 Matt Joined Sherman County Rural Fire Department and is currently serving in the position of Training Officer. He is the Special Operations Program Coordinator at Kansas Fire & Rescue Institute helping to promote and deliver Special Operations training to the Kansas Fire Service.

He holds national certifications in various technical rescue disciplines and has been a driving force in the technical rescue capabilities in the Northwest Region.

Jesse Ennis, GRMC ER Provider

​Jesse Ennis, PA-C is a Physician Assistant. He attended Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. He spent one year practicing rural family medicine in Homer, Alaska, and has eight years of Emergency Medicine experience, in a variety of settings. These range from Level I Trauma, Chest Pain, Comprehensive Stroke, and Burn Centers in Denver, Level II-IV Trauma Centers in Oregon, as well as in Critical Access Hospitals in Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and currently in Goodland KS. He was the solo Emergency Provider on call during the mass casualty incident on March 14th, 2025, and proud of being part of the team those rose to meet those unique challenges. 

Jennifer Cure, RN/Administrator, Sherman County Health Department

Jennifer Cure RN is the Administrator of the Sherman County Health Department in Goodland, Kansas, and currently serves as President of the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments. With a strong background in emergency preparedness, public health policy, and community engagement, Jennifer leads initiatives focused on improving health outcomes, advancing legislative priorities, and strengthening local response systems. Known for collaborative leadership and a commitment to service, she actively supports public health professionals across Kansas. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys supporting youth athletics and spending time with family.

Brenda Kopriva, CMC ER Provider