RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has named Maria Beermann-Foat, PhD, NRP, as the new director of the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). Following a nationwide search with nearly 150 applicants, the selection involved input from key stakeholders, including the Governor’s State EMS Advisory Board and the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association.
Dr. Beermann-Foat brings over 25 years of diverse emergency care experience across private, hospital-based, county and fire-based services. Most recently, she led the EMS training division for Eugene Springfield Fire in Oregon, restructuring its EMS academy and training programs. Previously, she served Johnson County MED-ACT, in Kansas, progressing from paramedic to battalion chief of operations, VDH stated in a press release.
She has advanced the EMS profession nationally, focusing on retention, recruitment, workforce engagement and research. Her roles include serving on the NAEMT Board of Directors, the EMS1 Editorial Advisory Board, the International Journal of Paramedicine Editorial Advisory Board, and working as a course developer and instructor at FEMA’s National Fire Academy, specializing in quality management and research methods.
“Emergency medical services plays a key role in the health of Virginians, and I am excited that Dr. Beermann-Foat will be joining us at such an important time while we work with stakeholders to improve Virginia’s statewide EMS system,” Virginia State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D. said. “Over the last year, VDH has taken proactive steps to address the issues faced within the Office of EMS, and part of that process has included the recruitment of a new director. We are happy that Dr. Beermann-Foat has accepted this new role and will lead Virginia’s path forward to a well-supported EMS system.”
I am honored to have been selected as the Director of Virginia’s Office of EMS at such a pivotal time. My priority is to unite our dedicated team and stakeholders by fostering open communication and collaboration,” Dr. Beermann-Foat said. “The past 2 years have been a time of critical discovery and a great deal of work has already begun to address these challenges; but, they’ve also highlighted the resilience and commitment of our EMS community. I am dedicated to building trust, strengthening partnerships, and delivering innovative solutions that reflect the needs of those we serve. Together, we will advance our shared mission to provide exceptional emergency medical services and enhance public health outcomes across the State of Virginia.”
Dr. Beermann-Foat will formally begin her role at OEMS on Jan. 25, 2025.
