New York State Department of Health Organizes First-Ever Mental Health and Wellness Symposium for Emergency Medical Services Professionals

More Than 200 EMS Personnel from Across New York Attended Event

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 10, 2025) — The New York State Department of Health's Division of State Emergency Medical Services welcomed more than 200 professionals from across the State for the first-everNew York State EMS Mental Health and Wellness Symposium. The groundbreaking event focused on strengthening mental health and emotional well-being in the EMS profession.

The symposium provided a full day of presentations and peer-to-peer learning opportunities, opening with remarks from Division of State Emergency Medical Services Director Ryan Greenberg.

"The overwhelming response to this symposium shows how ready our EMS community is to make mental health a priority," Greenberg said. "These conversations are no longer optional; they are essential to the future of our profession."

The June 9 seminar featured a series of sessions from leading experts, including James Boomhower, a nationally recognized critical care paramedic and mental health advocate. His presentations explored the realistic challenges of maintaining resilience in high-stress environments and the myths surrounding modern wellness ideals.

Mental Health Association Director of Training Katie Oldakowski introduced participants to the Helping Every Responder Overcome (HERO) Program. The proactive, peer-based initiative focuses on equipping first responders with tools to build resilience and manage trauma before critical stress incidents occur.

The program also featured Port Jefferson EMS Deputy Chief Michael Presta who was accompanied by Huck, the squad's emergency response canine. Presta shared insights on how facility dogs can play a meaningful role in supporting EMS providers and building a healthier agency culture. Their presentation underscored the growing interest in creative, compassionate approaches to emotional support in emergency services.

The new EMS Mental Health and Wellness Fellowship Program was also unveiled during the symposium. This one-year initiative will empower 20 emergency providers from across the state to become local champions of mental health and wellness for EMS professionals.

The day concluded with a panel discussion about the CARES UP initiative, a suicide prevention and wellness program led by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Panelists shared powerful examples of how EMS agencies and uniformed personnel organizations are creating sustainable models for peer support, stigma reduction and trauma-informed leadership.

For more information about the Division of State EMS and to find links to various programs, visit: health.ny.gov/professionals/ems.