Board of Directors
President
Lara Ondruch
BA, LP
EMT Instructor, Katy ISD
Current term expires 2026
Lara Ondruch is a faculty member at Houston Community College, and the Regional Officer for the Gulf Coast Region of TAEMSE. Knowing she wanted to be involved in healthcare and education, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) in 2008 and taught/coached at the High School level. She then completed EMT, Intermediate, and Paramedic school at Houston Community College in 2012. Following the birth of her daughter Lara began her EMS education career. Lara was a faculty member at WCJC for almost 3 years where she was a NISOD recipient in 2018. When Lara is not teaching, she spends her time with her husband Matt and their amazing daughter, Parker, rooting on the Astros and Aggies.
Vice President
Eric Steffel
BS, LP, NR
Director of Clinical Practices, Northwest Community Health, Tomball Texas
Current term expires 2028
Eric has over 25 years of EMS Experience, with 13 years experience in EMS Education., Eric has a Bachelors of Science in EMS Administration from Columbia Southern University.
Eric served the Texas Army National Guard from 2007 - 2015, with 1 deployment to Afghanistan and orchestrated state-wide training events along with also being the company training NCO. His EMS experience include the roles of FTO, Lieutenant, Supervisor, Educator, and Clinical Chief. In addition to teaching, Eric serves EMTF 6 work groups and EMS committee, is the MIH co-chair and is a Published human trafficking author with a photo in EMT Textbook,
“People are capable of more than they believe — our job is to create the opportunities to prove it"
Treasurer
Sheila Elliott
MS, LP
EMS Director / Program Director, University Emergency Medical Response at UT Dallas / North Texas Paramedic Education Consortium, Richardson, Texas
Current term expires 2027
Sheila has over 19 years of EMS Experience, with 16 years experience in EMS Education. She holds a Bachlors of Science Multidisciplinary Studies with Music Minor from Texas Tech University, and a Masters of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. Prior to entering EMS Sheila worked as an Elementary Music Teacher. Her EMS experience includes work at Methodist Dallas, CareFlite, Cooke County EMS, Southwest Transplant Alliance.
In additon to teaching, Sheila serves and is a NAEMT Lighthouse Leadership Mentor
Sheila's important words of wisdom: "We are stronger together!"
Secretary
Rory Prue
MS, LP
Program Director (Ret), Tyler Junior College, Tyler, Texas
Current term expires 2027
It had been my dream since paramedic school to become an EMS instructor. I took an EMS Instructor course in 1994. In 1996 I was asked to start teaching some classes in the paramedic program. In 1997 I took over as the lead instructor/program director of the EMS Education program for Riverside Medical Center/Kankakee Community College. I have enjoyed teaching full-time in EMS since then.
I never dreamed the opportunity would arise to do what I love doing and that is full-time teaching. Working as a full-time instructor and program director has become a dream come true for me and I love every minute. Every day I learn new things.
I am currently the Department Chair for EMSP and Fire Protection Technology at Tyler Junior College in Tyler Texas.
Executive Officer
Jeff McDonald
M.Ed, LP
Program Director (Ret), Galveston College, Galveston, Texas
Jeff has over 45 years of EMS Experience, with 44 years experience in EMS Education. He has an Associate of Arts from Tarrant County College, a Bachelors of Science in Emergency Health Sciences from the University of Texas, Health Science Center San Antonio, and an Masters of Education in Instruction Design and Technology from West Texas A&M University .
Jeff's experience includes: Emergency Paramedic with 911 providers and flight programs in Fort Worth, Texas.
Despite rumors, Jeff has never served on the GETAC Education Committee. He is an active Board member and Site visitor for the CoAEMSP.
His important words of wisdom: ""First, temper with Love"". ""Remember we're all in this together."""
Executive Officer
Leslie Hernandez
EdD, NRP, LP, FP-C
Assistant Professor (Ret), UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
Leslie has over 41 years of EMS Experience, with 40 years experience in EMS Education., She earned her EdD in Adult Education and Training from Capella University, Leslie is currently working on a Medical Assistant certification
Leslie's experience includes: 26 years in the field, 41 total in EMS
In addition to teaching, Leslie is an active NAEMT Member and is a CoAEMSP Site Visitor
Board Member
Samantha Grimsley
BS, LP
Program Director, Weatherford College, Weatherford, Texas
Current term expires 2027
As the program director at Weatherford College since May 2022, I bring over a decade of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Starting straight out of high school in 2006, I've navigated through various facets of EMS, including interfacility, 911, hospital, fire-based, flight medicine, and education. My dedication to education springs from personal encounters, knowing that one day, the future providers might care for my loved ones.
Board Member
Melissa Stuive
MS, LP
Program Director, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, Texas
Current term expires 2028
I am a seasoned Paramedic with 30 years of experience and has served as an EMS educator for 28 years. I am the Program Director and Chair of Public Safety at Del Mar College. I also serve on the boards of NAEMSE and GETAC. I am Passionate about progress and leadership, I am a strong advocate for change and mentorship within EMS programs and among students. I am also a site Visitor for COAEMSP and always look forward to visiting with programs across the country to learn from others and assist programs with accreditation.
Board Member
Kris Kern
AAS, LP
Program Faculty, Wharton College, Wharton, Texas
Current term expires 2025
Kris is a dedicated Licensed Paramedic of 34 years and college educator for 28 years. Currently, she is one of the Advanced Coordinator and the Clinical Coordinator at San Jacinto College.
Kris enjoys the opportunities to provide medical education on many fornts. In addition to her full-time teaching position, she has been a conference presenter at local, state, and nationwide conferences. Her classes are interactive and unique.
Over the past four years, Kris has added communication through personality diversity and medical error reduction to the curriculum at San Jacinto College. This p rogram has been incredibly successful. There has been a 93% reduction in medical errors in simulation.
Kris leads with integrity and the strong belief in service before self.
Board Member
Terri King
MA, LP
Clinical Coordinator, Austin, Texas
Completes term for 2026
Terri King AAS, BS, MA, NRP, LP
Terri King is a 30-year veteran public educator and a practicing Paramedic for over twenty-four years. She has retired from Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, where she served as an adjunct instructor for twenty years. Ms. King recently retired from Williamson County EMS, where she served as a line medic and Division Commander of Clinical Practice. Ms. King currently serves as the Clinical Coordinator for EMTS Academy. Her primary responsibilities are liaison with clinical sites, scheduling students for clinical rotations, and educating students from the EMT to paramedic levels. Terri is an active member of NAEMT and a coordinator for PHTLS, AMLS, and EPC. As a Nationally Certified EMS Educator and Texas EMS Advanced Coordinator, Terri strives to effect positive system changes to improve training and education for all levels of pre-hospital care.
Board Member
Diedra Blankenship
BS, LP, Advanced Coordinator
Professor, Temple College, Temple, TX
Completes term for 2026
Diedra has over 28 years of EMS Experience, with 18 years’ experience in EMS Education. She earned her Associates of Applied Science degree from McClennen Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Emergency Health Sciences from UT Health - San Antonio.
Diedra's experience includes Field and Air Ambulance for the first 10 years of her career, until an injury navigated her into education.
In addition to teaching, Diedra has served on the GETAC EMS Education Committee Member for over 10 years and is a TAEMSE Founding member, NAEMSE lifetime member. She was honored with the Texas EMS Educator of the Year Award in 2019
Diedra's important words of wisdom:
-"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, but it’s in the storm that we learn who we truly are"
-"Salt Water heals everything"
-"Steady at the helm — in art and in an emergency"
-"Knowledge is potential power, only useful when used"
Board Member
April Page
AAS, LP
Instructor, Southwest Texas Junior College, Uvalde Texas
Current term expires 2028
April Page of Uvalde, Texas began her EMS career in 2001 as an EMT before becoming a Paramedic in 2005. She continued her EMS career as a full-time Paramedic until her employment with Southwest Texas Jr College in 2017.
Mrs. Page currently holds a DSHS Basic Coordinator license and has been invited to assist in instruction of U.S. Border Patrol EMT students on several occasions. During her employment with SWTJC, she recently obtained a degree in Associates of Arts, General Studies and plans to further her education in the near future.
Mrs. Page is a resourceful EMS Educator at Southwest Texas Jr College with 5 years of classroom instruction with drive and success within classroom and school operations. She creates an engaging learning environment for students, has experience with implementation of classroom instruction, lesson plans, and student assessment in conjunction with state and college regulations.
Mrs. Page is a mother of 4 children and a wife to a supportive spouse.
Board Member
Alex Stadthagen
MS, LP
Program Director, Dallas Colleges, Dallas, Texas
Current term expires 2026
Became a Paramedic March 1982
Worked at Springdale FD (AR) as firefighter/Paramedic until 1989 when I moved to Irving FD (TX) until retirement in 2007.
Worked PT for CareFlite FW ‘91 to ‘96 as flight Medic.
Work as EMS Education Program Director for Dallas College since 2001.