MEET THE TEAM

Bill Worden, D.O., M.E.d.

Medical Director

Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Central Oklahoma, Master of Education in Adult Education from University of Central Oklahoma, Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Oklahoma State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Emergency Medicine Residency from Integris Southwest Medical Center, Board-Certified in Emergency Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine

Bio Summary: In addition to practicing emergency medicine, Dr. Worden has been involved in pre-hospital care since high school. He currently serves as the Medical Director for about 50 Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Medical Response Agencies, and over 800 medics across Oklahoma. Providing medical direction to pre-hospital care providers for over 300,000 citizens in Oklahoma. Additionally, Dr. Worden is a commissioned Deputy Sheriff with the Logan County and Canadian County Sheriff's Office and provides medical direction to the agency’s tactical teams.

Education is very important to Dr. Worden, and when not in the emergency department, he can typically be found lecturing to EMS agencies or law enforcement agencies across the state. In 2018 Dr. Worden was instrumental in bringing active shooter training to both Law Enforcement and Fire/EMS agencies in Oklahoma. This training teaches first responders how to work together in an integrated fashion during an unfortunate active attack event. Also, very important is educating the general public how to respond to an active attack, so he frequently provides courses at schools, churches, or civic organizations.

Blake began his journey of prehospital medicine as a Senior in high school by joining Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department. His passion for firefighting and providing medical care to rural citizens grew into a career. Blake completed EMT at Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater. He holds an Associates of Science from Oklahoma City Community College with a certificate of mastery in EMS Paramedicine. While attending classes he continued the passion for rural EMS / Fire by joining Cashion Ambulance Service where he became the Assistant EMS Director and a Firefighter. He also gained additional experience at Lifenet EMS. Currently, he is employed with Guthrie Fire-EMS. Blake holds many instructor certifications including Fire Fighter, EMS, NAEMT, AHA, and ASHI. Blake has been the director of operations for Heartland Medical Direction for over 2 years. He has a passion for teaching and continuing the advancement of rural police, fire, and EMS.

Blake Braden, NRP

Director of Operations

Sean Barnette, NRP

Director of Training

Education: Associate Degree, Emergency Sciences, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Certificate of Mastery, EMS Paramedic, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City Oklahoma

Bio Summary: In addition to serving as a full-time firefighter at Tinker Air Force Base, Mr. Barnette has actively performed in some type of EMS capacity since High School. Mr. Barnette is very passionate about his current role with Heartland Medical Direction as the Director of Training. Mr. Barnette began his career serving our nation as an Army combat medic, before transferring to an active-duty status in the United States Air Force as a military firefighter / EMT. Mr. Barnette continued his education to become an EMT – Intermediate, and subsequently a paramedic level practitioner where he has continuously worked in the civilian EMS setting for over 15 years. Most recently, Mr. Barnette has been selected to serve on the USAF EMS working group developing medical protocols, selecting equipment, and numerous other responsibilities for the entirety of the USAF.

Currently, Mr. Barnette also serves the citizens of Oklahoma as a part-time paramedic with SSM Health Critical Care Transport. Mr. Barnette is also a tactical paramedic / commissioned deputy sheriff for the Oklahoma County and Canadian County Sheriff’s Department Tactical Units. Mr. Barnette pursues his passion as an EMS educator by fulfilling a role as a paramedic adjunct professor for Oklahoma City Community College. Mr. Barnette holds multiple instructor certifications for a wide range of EMS disciplines.

Andrew Collier, NRP

Firefighter Paramedic

Education: Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Oklahoma State University, Basic Fire Academy, and Paramedic School at Eastern Oklahoma County Tech.

Bio Summary: Following graduation from OSU and a brief foray into law enforcement, Andrew discovered a passion for emergency medicine and firefighting that led him to attend a fire academy and attain his EMT-B certification. Andrew started his journey as a volunteer firefighter and gained experience at EMSA before being hired on at Guthrie Fire Department as a paid firefighter, where he continues to serve today. Andrew has since returned to school for his EMT-A and ultimately completed his paramedic certifications. Andrew enjoys ongoing training and continues to pursue advanced prehospital medical courses as well as ongoing fire and rescue training. Andrew is also an active member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, where he enjoys operating in a tactical environment with an interest in tactical medicine.

Eddie has been in EMS for 8 years, 6 of those licensed at the Paramedic Level. Eddie worked Ground EMS prior to transitioning to Law Enforcement. During his time in Law Enforcement, Eddie was assigned to Special Operations/SWAT as a Tactical Paramedic. Most recently, Eddie has joined the aviation community as a Flight Paramedic. Eddie has seen the education/knowledge deficit Oklahoma EMS providers have faced as a community, and has dedicated his career to improving individual and team performance for Oklahoma's First Responders. Eddie has a passion for providing Pre-Hospital & Law Enforcement education focusing on Airway Management, Trauma Management, and Active Shooter/Attack Events.

Eddie Rice, NRP

Flight Paramedic

MEET THE TEAM

Bill Worden, D.O., M.Ed.
Medical Director

Blake Braden, NRP, FP-C

Chief Operations Officer

Kinsley Graves, IAEMD-A
Chief of Staff

Kinsley’s venture into the medical world first began in college, she attended Union University in Jackson, TN where she studied veterinary medicine. While attending Union, Kinsley participated in an international debate team which kindled her love of public speaking and education.

During and after college, Kinsley worked in the veterinary field for a total of 4 years before she made the switch to the human side of things. Kinsley called Oklahoma home for 6 years and has worked with sheriff offices, police departments, and EMS agencies across the state. During her time in the field, she had the opportunity to join the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program, received her instructor qualification, and has instructed first responder agencies throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Most recently, she served as a dispatch supervisor with Jackson County EMS. During her tenure with JCEMS she received her Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD-A) certification with the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (IAEMD).

Kinsley and her husband, Mason, have 3 children and their family now calls the Eastern Coast of North Carolina home. Kinsley enjoys assisting agencies to best meet their needs as promptly as possible, helping the Heartland team continue to serve and expand throughout the state, and flying back to Oklahoma for in-person tasks when needed. She truly loves working with Heartland Medical Direction, she sees daily the profound impact of hands-on medical direction, consistent, and proper training and is honored to be a part of that impact.

Jaitton Balcom, NRP

Paramedic
Director of Training & Development

Jaitton began his career in public safety directly after high school through his local volunteer fire department in 2012. Initially, uninterested in medicine, he reluctantly signed on to help his local volunteer ambulance service from closing its doors by becoming a certified EMR though Western Technology Center. Discovering a hidden passion to serve rural populations in Oklahoma, Mr. Balcom continued his education throughout his career advancing through EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic certification which he completed with a certificate of mastery in 2019 through the satellite program hosted at Western Technology Center through Kiamichi Technology Center.

Jaitton is passionate about rural medicine and the challenges that rural providers and patients face. He also has an interest in trauma medicine, first responder mental health, emergency / disaster preparedness (with an emphasis on extreme weather events), and quality education for EMS providers. In addition to holding several provider and instructor certifications in EMS and the fire service through AHA, IFSAC, NAEMT, NBFSPQ, and NFA - Mr. Balcom is also a commissioned deputy with the Washita County Sheriff Department where he serves as a Tactical Paramedic on the tactical team.

Jaitton has spent most of his career in public safety serving the citizens in southwestern Oklahoma, but he is excited to join the HLMD team of instructor cadre, providing quality education state-wide. When he is not working in public safety, he can be found working on his family-owned honeybee farm. Once all the work is done, he enjoys spending quality time with his family or engaging in one of his many outdoor related hobbies.

Collin Langford, AEMT

Peer Support Team Leader

I embarked on my firefighting journey in June 2014, joining the Cox's Store Volunteer Fire Department located east of Lawton, Oklahoma. This experience laid the foundation for my career in the fire service. In September of the same year, I took a significant step forward by joining the Lawton Fire Department as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (FF/EMT).

Driven to enhance my knowledge and skills in emergency medical services (EMS), I pursued further education and obtained my Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification in 2016. Eager to apply my expanded expertise, I worked part-time with Kirks EMS in Lawton, Oklahoma. This opportunity allowed me to deepen my understanding of EMS care and refine my abilities.

I discovered a profound passion for mental health while actively involved in firefighting, EMS, and the Lawton Fire Department. In 2022, I joined the HLMD Peer Support team, an initiative to support first responders facing mental health challenges. Being part of this team since its early days, my primary objective is to ensure that all our agencies recognize that they are joined. We strive to aid every individual, connecting first responders with the help they need.

By combining my firefighting, EMS, and mental health expertise, I am committed to positively impacting the lives of fellow first responders. Together, we can foster a supportive environment and ensure no one faces their challenges alone.

Chris Prutzman, NRP

Director of Quality Management

Chris began his EMS career in 1992 after serving in the U.S. Navy. After attending the EMT Basic Course at Cerritos College, his prehospital journey started with Adams Ambulance providing transport services for LA County Fire Department. The exposure to these advanced life support providers set in motion a desire to complete Paramedic school. A cross-country move to Florida in 1996 landed Chris at Broward County Community College, completing the paramedic curriculum while working for American Medical Response. Chris transferred to EMSA Oklahoma City in July 1998 with a desire to work for a larger system with escalating call volume that would hone his knowledge and skill set. Chris spent 17 years in the EMSA system as a clinician as well as a clinical and operational leader. In 2014 his career moved him into a Director position with OU Medical System as The Director of EMS Relations. This role allowed for continued growth and knowledge expansion concerning the vital role of EMS in the delivery of patients to our hospital systems and assisting in process and pathway building aligning these healthcare systems increasing efficiency. Chris transitioned in 2016 to a Director of Operations role with a new EMS provider in Oklahoma, Samaritan EMS. Chris has spent the last 5 years assisting in the growth of their service to include Federal and Municipal 911 contracts. Chris holds multiple instructor credentials as well as a NAED EMD certificate. Chris has also served as a Tactical Paramedic/Medical Advisory for a Central Oklahoma SWAT Team and Medical Branch Director for multiple large scale tornado events as well as the Tinker AFB Air Show..

Bryton Buska
Director of Compliance

Education:

Certified Nursing Assistant – MATC
Associates Degree – UMGC
Bachelor of Homeland Security (ongoing) – UMGC

Bio Summary:

Bryton’s enthusiasm for improving the lives of those in need started in his senior year of High School, where he became a certified nursing assistant. His drive to help people quickly expanded, prompting him to enlist in the United States Navy as a Master-at-Arms (Military Police). For the proceeding four years, the Navy took him overseas to Japan, where he implemented crime deterrence programs and carried out anti-terrorism missions. Upon his return to the United States, Bryton took the position of Head of Security for Loomis Armored Regional Headquarters in OKC. In his continued desire to safeguard his community, Bryton became the Director of Compliance for Heartland Medical Direction to assist our member agencies in maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations ultimately providing better medical care to our patients..

Sean Barnette, NRP

Instructor

Fawn Tibbits, NRP

Paramedic
Instructor

Bio Summary:
Fawn was born & raised on Maui, Hawaii. She has lived in several states, finally making her home in Oklahoma over 17 years ago. She began to seek interest in public service in 2003. She moved to Greeley, CO and attended AIMS Community College where she obtained licenses/certifications in EMT-Basic & Firefighter 1, along with HazMat Ops & Awareness. Immediately following fire academy, she joined Mountain View Fire in Longmont, CO as a volunteer firefighter. This was short lived as she ended up marrying her best friend in 2004 upon his USMC deployment return from Iraq. As a Marine wife, she moved to Southern California & eventually to his home state of Oklahoma. In Oklahoma Fawn attended EOC Tech Center in Choctaw to pursue EMS to the paramedicine level. Upon completing the NREMT-P licensure Fawn worked for the Edmond 9-1-1 dispatch center for 2+ years, while pursuing a career in the fire service. These plans changed with the growth of their family. Fawn has a passion for community service & currently serves the citizens of Luther as a Captain/Paramedic on the Luther Fire Dept, while homeschooling her children on their small Luther farm. .

Jennifer Hamilton, RN, NRP

Paramedic

Instructor

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Biology, UCO

Associates Degree in Nursing, Excelsior College in New York,

Certificate of Mastery in Paramedicine, Oklahoma City Community College.

Bio Summary:

Jennifer began her EMS career in 1995 and has served with Tuttle EMS/Fire Department for 26 years. She became an EMS instructor and has taught Paramedic at OSU-OKC along with serving as Training officer for Tuttle EMS for over 20 years. She became a Registered Nurse in 2005 and worked as an RN in the Children's ER until 2019. She has a passion for rural EMS and loves being involved in the community of Tuttle. She is excited to join the HLMD team to provide quality education to other rural agencies across the state.

Jamie Sorrells, NRP
Instructor

Jamie was born and raised in-between Georgia and Tennessee. He started his career in public safety while he was a sophomore in High School as a junior firefighter.

Over the next few years, Jamie obtained his Structural Firefighting and Firefighter 1 Certification. Jamie remained an active member of the Fire Department until he moved to Oklahoma in 2013. Once settled in Oklahoma, Jamie obtained his Firefighter 2 Certification and EMT license. Obtaining his EMT quickly sparked his passion for pre-hospital medicine. Jamie decided to further his career In EMS as an AEMT and eventually a Paramedic. Jamie has spent his career in EMS working at very fast paced EMS Agencies as well as with rural communities. He has served agencies in numerous different capacities and currently serves as a supervisor and educator.

Jamie also possesses a love of teaching and passing along knowledge to his fellow first responders. Jamie’s passion for knowledge keeps him continuously seeking further certifications and furthering his education. When not in a classroom sharing his knowledge, you can find Jamie still very active on the ambulance for different agencies.

Chris Syms, NRP, M.ED
Instructor

Education:

Associates of Applied Science in Paramedicine, OSU-OKC
Bachelor’s Degree in Technology Education, SWOSU
Masters of Education in Education Administration, SWOSU
Bio Summary:

Chris began is career in education teaching a wide range of subjects from elementary PE to middle school math and technology education. Chris became a first responder and EMT while serving on his local volunteer fire department. Eventually he transitioned to EMS full time, first as an EMT, then progressing to an AEMT, and finally received an associates degree in paramedicine from OSU-OKC in 2021. Chris serves as an instructor and FTO for Woodward County EMS. Chris’ passion for education and training has led him to attend numerous conferences around the state and the country, and now joining Heartland Medical Direction where he serves as an instructor.

Brian Zalewski

RN, NRP, CCP

Paramedic

Instructor

Remembering Chief Brian Zalewski.

It was an honor to know him, it was an honor to serve with him, and it was an honor to learn from him.

Education:

Bachelor of Technology Administration, OSU
Associates of Nursing, Rose State College

Associates - Municipal Fire Protection, OSU

Bio Summary:

Brian started his career in public safety in 1993 with the Weatherford Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and where he took his first EMT course. Brian would later volunteer with the Rush Springs Fire Department and became part-time director of the Rush Springs EMS before taking a paid firefighter position with Anadarko in 1996.

In 1997, Brian found a home with the Chickasha Fire Department where he became a Paramedic/firefighter. During this time, he had many opportunities to work with the best in the business, both at Chickasha Fire, and with Mercy EMS, both ground and air services. In 2003, he earned his Critical Care Paramedic certification, which further inspired him to move to the next level, achieving his RN licensure in 2005.

In 2005, he started his nursing career at Integris Southwest Emergency Department. In 2007, Brian became the Deputy Chief for the Chickasha Fire Department with a major roll being the department’s EMS Director. This position allowed him to earn many instructor titles, for which he was able to teach locally and at the state level.

In 2012, he earned his Basic Peace Officer certification for the purpose of becoming the department’s fire investigator. This roll progressed to Brian earning his nationally recognized, Certified Fire Investigator credentials. Brian had the opportunity to investigate fires in Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri.

During his public safety career, Brian achieved the honor of sitting on several state and local boards with the goal of furthering Oklahoma first responders. He was appointed by Governor Fallon to represent the states firefighters on the Oklahoma State Fire Marshals Board.

Currently Brian works for Integris Baptist Medical Center as an Emergency Department and Burn Center Nurse. Additionally, he is a reserve deputy with Grady County Sheriff’s Office and is an SRT-Paramedic.

Brian and his wife Kim have two daughters, Lauren and Jessica.

MEET THE TEAM

Bill Worden, D.O., M.E.d.

Medical Director

MEET THE TEAM

Bill Worden, D.O., M.Ed. Medical Director

Bill Worden, D.O., M.Ed.
Medical Director