Divisions
Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services
Welcome to the Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services (CEMS)
Established in 2024 with generous grant support from the State of Florida's Department of Public Health, the Center for Emergency Medical Services (FL-CEMS) is housed at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. FL-CEMS is dedicated to advancing the field of emergency medical services through pioneering research, high-quality education, and innovation working with community partners.
Our mission is to enhance patient outcomes and refine EMS methodologies by leading advancements in prehospital emergency care, improving and modernizing EMS educational curricula, developing robust strategies for effective disaster preparedness, optimizing function and design of EMS systems, and promoting cutting-edge EMS research. Through these efforts, FL-CEMS aims to set new standards of excellence in emergency medical care and education.
Key Program Initiatives
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Our Center collaborates with selected EMS agencies to support the evaluation and refinement of MIH initiatives. This includes assisting agencies in developing program-specific metrics, exploring methodologies for patient and provider safety, and conducting cost-benefit analyses. These efforts aim to inform public policy and advance best practices within the EMS field.
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This program offers graduate students the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research in critical areas such as Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH), provider mental health and wellness, disaster preparedness and response, telehealth, and public health integration with county health departments. Participants work part-time as research assistants over a one-year period, collaborating with Center staff on research intended for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.
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In partnership with key stakeholders, the Center is actively involved in updating paramedic and EMT curricula to align with revised national standards and industry best practices, ensuring that educational programs remain current and relevant to the needs of the field.
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We are engaged in identifying and defining best practices for the integration of telehealth into on-scene care provided by EMS personnel, with the goal of optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing field-based care.
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The Center is developing a statewide LMS to provide EMS personnel with training resources and information on industry-level best practices. This platform will facilitate continuous professional development and the dissemination of the latest standards in emergency medical care.
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The Center collects and analyzes demographic data from both EMS agencies and individual EMS providers. This data serves as the foundation for research that goes beyond clinical outcomes, allowing for the examination of system design, operational efficiency, and workforce diversity within the EMS sector.
Recruitment and Retention Initiatives
Through initiatives led by the Center, best practices specific to Florida for EMS recruitment and retention will be identified and disseminated. These efforts draw from research and programs that address the widespread challenges of workforce recruitment and retention in the emergency medical services (EMS) field.
The resources listed below are provided by national, professional, and academic organizations to support EMS agencies in addressing these critical workforce issues:
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Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Recruitment and Retention Manual (NAEMT)
This comprehensive manual offers strategies and guidelines for EMS agencies to enhance their recruitment and retention efforts.
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Evaluating Changes in the Emergency Medical Services Workforce
This study examines the evolving dynamics of the EMS workforce across multiple states and provides insights into workforce trends and challenges.
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Recruitment and Retention for the Volunteer Emergency Services (FEMA/USFA
This resource provides targeted strategies for addressing recruitment and retention challenges specific to volunteer EMS agencies.
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How to Stand Out Using Low-Cost Recruitment and Retention Strategies
(American Ambulance Association) This article highlights practical, cost-effective approaches to improving recruitment and retention in EMS, particularly for smaller and rural agencies.
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White Paper on Recruitment & Retention in the Florida Fire Service
(Florida Fire Chiefs Association and Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office) This white paper focuses on recruitment and retention strategies specific to Florida's fire and EMS services, offering valuable insights and recommendations for state-specific challenges.
Faculty
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Bruce J. Moeller, PhD
Bruce J. Moeller, PhDExecutive Director – Center for EMS813-396-0330 -
Penni Eggers, EdD, CHSE
Penni Eggers, EdD, CHSEDirector of Education - Center for EMS813-396-0230 -
Michael Lozano Jr., MD, MSHI, FACEP, FAMIA, FAEMS
Michael Lozano Jr., MD, MSHI, FACEP, FAMIA, FAEMSDirector of Research & Informatics - Center for EMS813-396-0290
Faculty Bios
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Dr. Bruce Moeller brings over 30 years of public service experience to his role as an educator and consultant in emergency management and public administration. He has held leadership positions such as Chief of Staff and Assistant County Administrator for Pinellas County, Florida, and City Manager and Fire Chief for Sunrise, Florida. Additionally, he served as Director and Fire Chief of Broward County’s Metropolitan Fire-Rescue Department.
Beginning his career in law enforcement, Dr. Moeller later transitioned to the fire service, becoming a certified paramedic and rising through the ranks to chief officer. He has overseen major incidents, including the response to Hurricane Andrew, the ValuJet Flight 592 crash, and the South Florida Anthrax Panic. A nationally recognized speaker on leadership and organizational change, Dr. Moeller continues to contribute through his involvement with various national associations and academic institutions.
He holds a Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University, a master’s in public administration from Northern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. Since 2001, Dr. Moeller has been a faculty member at multiple Florida universities, teaching courses in public administration, emergency management, and organizational theory.
Bruce J. Moeller, PhD
Executive Director – Center for EMS
bmoeller@usf.edu
(813) 396-0330 -
Dr. Penni Eggers is a recognized expert in EMS education and healthcare simulation with over two decades of experience. She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University and a Master’s in Instructional Design & Technology from the University of Tampa. Her career spans a variety of roles in education and healthcare, including serving as Clinical Education Manager at Echo Healthcare and Paramedic/EMT Program Coordinator at St. Petersburg College.
An advocate for patient safety and innovative training methods, Dr. Eggers has made significant contributions to curriculum development, simulation-based education, and the integration of immersive environments in paramedic training. She holds the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential and is an active member of professional organizations dedicated to EMS and simulation education. Her work has been presented at national conferences and published in leading journals on healthcare education.
Penni Eggers, EdD, CHSE
Director of Education - Center for EMS
eggersp@usf.edu
(813) 396-0230 -
Dr. Michael Lozano is an accomplished emergency physician with expertise in health informatics and over 30 years of experience in medical leadership. He attended Syracuse University and was granted a medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He completed residencies in internal medicine at New York University-Bellevue Hospital and emergency medicine at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, where he served as Chief Resident. He further specialized in emergency medical services (EMS) through the prestigious fellowship program at New York City EMS. In 2017, Dr. Lozano earned a Master of Science in Health Informatics from the University of South Florida (USF).
He is board-certified in Emergency Medicine, EMS, and Clinical Informatics, and is recognized as a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Medical Informatics Association, and the Academy of EMS. He currently serves as Associate EMS Medical Director for Pinellas County EMS, Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at USF Health-Morsani College of Medicine, and attending physician at Tampa General Hospital.
Dr. Lozano has been an active leader in the EMS community, serving as President of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians and the Florida Association of EMS Medical Directors. He continues to play an influential role on several national and state committees, advocating for advancements in EMS research and diversity.
Michael Lozano Jr., MD, MSHI, FACEP, FAMIA, FAEMS
Director of Research & Informatics - Center for EMS
lozanom@usf.edu
(813) 396-0290