In this second installment of our 2025 NAEMT National Award Winners series, we highlight the physician whose leadership and vision have set a benchmark for EMS nationwide. Dr. Meg Marino, Medical Director of New Orleans EMS, has been named the 2025 NAEMT Medical Director of the Year. From her early career in pediatrics to her current role guiding one of the nation’s most dynamic EMS systems, Dr. Marino has consistently demonstrated what it means to lead with both compassion and clinical excellence. Her dedication to education, protocol innovation, and hands-on mentorship has not only strengthened New Orleans EMS but also influenced best practices across the country.
In this episode, Dr. Marino reflects on her journey, from training EMS providers in pediatric care to leading her department through the trials of the COVID-19 pandemic and mass casualty incidents. She discusses the clinical innovations she’s most proud of, including pioneering work in prehospital blood programs, airway research, and ultrasound. Most importantly, she shares her philosophy of being present—in the streets with her teams—on both their best and hardest days. This conversation captures the spirit of a medical director who is not only advancing EMS medicine but also inspiring the next generation of providers through trust, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to patient care.
Memorable Quotes
"I want to be in the streets with my teams on the best days and on the hard days."
"By improving the quality of education that EMS providers receive, I can not only help the patient in front of me, but all of the patients that those EMS providers touch."
"It’s easy to be a progressive medical director and let your team do a whole lot when you’ve got a lot of trust in your team."
Resources
NAEMT Annual Meeting 2025 Schedule: https://naemt.org/events/annual-meeting/2025-schedule
Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join
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