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VHAC News: Strengthening EMS Education, Regional Leadership, and Statewide Cardiac Care
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
VHAC is proud to announce Noah Hillstrom as our newest Northwestern Regional Leader.
Noah brings more than two decades of experience in emergency services, education, and community leadership. His EMS career began in 2002 as a volunteer with the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, where he went on to serve as Chief from 2018 to 2020 and was recognized as a life member for his long-standing commitment and service.
In 2012, Noah founded Emergency Training Solutions, LLC with the goal of providing high-quality, practical life-saving education to responders, healthcare professionals, and community members. Through this work, he has continued to advance emergency preparedness and training across the region.
Over the course of his career, Noah has served in a wide range of roles, including ER Technician, Communications Specialist, Firefighter/Paramedic, and Flight Paramedic. Today, he serves as Chief of Emergency Medical Services in Madison County, Virginia, where he continues to support the community through operational leadership, education, and public service.
As Northwestern Regional Leader, Noah will bring his field experience, instructional background, and deep commitment to emergency care to VHAC’s regional efforts. His leadership will help strengthen collaboration, support local agencies, and further VHAC’s mission across the Northwestern region.
Please join us in congratulating Noah Hillstrom and welcoming him to this important leadership role within VHAC.
ECG Education Course for EMS Providers
The Virginia Heart Attack Coalition invites EMS providers and emergency care partners to attend an upcoming ECG Education Course designed to strengthen clinical knowledge, support regional collaboration, and enhance care for cardiac patients.
Featured Speaker: Dr. Peter Lynch (Sentara)
Date & Time: Monday, June 22 at 5:00 PM
Location: 100 N. College Drive, Franklin, VA 23851
Course Information: In-person attendees will be eligible to receive CE credits. A virtual attendance option will also be available; however, CE credits will not be offered for virtual participation. Pizza will be provided for those attending in person.
Emergency Departments, EMS agencies, and healthcare partners are encouraged to share this opportunity throughout their teams and professional networks. Strong EMS participation is encouraged as we continue working together to improve emergency cardiac care across the region.
We appreciate your support in helping spread the word and making this educational offering a success.
Dr. Aman Shah Announced as Keynote Speaker for VHAC Statewide Meeting
The Virginia Heart Attack Coalition is pleased to announce Dr. Aman Shah, MD, FAEMS, FAAEM as the keynote speaker for the upcoming VHAC Statewide Meeting, taking place October 21–22.
Dr. Shah is a dual board-certified emergency medicine and EMS physician who serves as the Operational Medical Director for the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System. He also serves as Associate EMS Medical Director at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, where he supports EMS education, disaster preparedness, and fellowship training.
A respected leader in emergency medical services, trauma response, and pre-hospital care, Dr. Shah brings a practical and forward-thinking perspective to this year’s meeting. His work focuses on improving the care delivered before a patient reaches the hospital, strengthening EMS clinical standards, advancing provider education, and building systems that help teams make faster, better-informed decisions during critical moments.
In Prince William County, Dr. Shah has helped lead innovative efforts to improve emergency response and patient survival. Most recently, he played a key role in the launch of the Advanced Care Field Operations Program, an initiative designed to improve trauma survival by bringing whole blood administration directly to the scene during the critical “golden hour” after injury. The program reflects Dr. Shah’s commitment to practical, field-based solutions that connect EMS, hospitals, blood services, and community partners around one shared goal: saving lives.
Dr. Shah’s keynote address will bring important insight to VHAC’s ongoing work to improve emergency cardiovascular care across Virginia. His experience in EMS medical direction, emergency medicine, trauma response, ECG education, field operations, and disaster preparedness makes him a strong voice for this year’s statewide conversation.
VHAC has long recognized that heart attack care is a team effort. EMS providers, emergency departments, cath lab teams, cardiologists, nurses, hospital leaders, and regional partners all play a role in reducing delays, improving coordination, and ensuring patients receive timely, high-quality care.
The VHAC Statewide Meeting will bring together partners from across the Commonwealth for education, collaboration, and shared improvement. Dr. Shah’s leadership and real-world experience will help frame important conversations about the future of EMS-driven cardiac care, pre-hospital decision-making, and systemwide collaboration.
VHAC looks forward to welcoming Dr. Shah as keynote speaker and engaging attendees in a meaningful discussion on how emergency care teams can continue advancing outcomes for patients across Virginia.
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