Donnie Woodyard, Jr., MAML, NRP

The History & Future of Emergency Medical Services

Author, keynote speaker, EMS leader, and innovator exploring the evolution of prehospital care — from Civil War battlefields to AI-powered ambulances.

Donnie Woodyard, Jr.
Across State Lines Leadership in Action EMS in the United States The Future of EMS Beyond the Tents The Dark Ages of EMS
Library

Explore the Books

Six titles spanning EMS history, policy, leadership, technology, and international humanitarian work.

New & Featured

Latest Releases

Interactive Timeline

330+ Events Across 9 Eras

From pre-Civil War origins through AI-powered ambulances — the definitive history of American EMS, with primary source documents.

Explore the complete evolution of emergency medical services through 330+ chronological entries, 40 pioneer profiles, and 135+ linked primary source documents spanning 1863 to present.

330+
Timeline Entries
40
Pioneers
135+
Documents
87
Primary Sources
Explore the Timeline
Podcast

EMS Evolution

Exploring the history, current events, and future of Emergency Medical Services. 36 episodes and counting.

EMS Evolution Podcast
Ep 36: Leadership in Action Book Announcement
Feb 2025 · Announcing the release of Leadership in Action
Ep 35: Autonomous Ambulances?
Special crossover with NREMT Registry Insider
Ep 34: Traffic Incident Management
Nov 2024 · Collaborating for safer highways
Ep 33: Leadership — The Pillars of Trust
Nov 2024 · Competency, integrity, and visionary leadership
Donnie Woodyard, Jr.
About the Author

Donnie Woodyard, Jr.

MAML, NRP, WP-C EMS Compact Executive Director State EMS Director (CO, LA) 6 Published Books Fixed-Wing Pilot CAP Squadron Commander Harvard AI in Healthcare Naval Postgraduate School

With over 30 years of leadership in EMS, government, and international disaster medicine, Donnie bridges the past and future of emergency medical services through his writing, policy work, and innovation. His career spans from volunteer EMT to State EMS Director, NREMT executive, international EMS system architect, and Executive Director of the United States EMS Compact.

Full Bio & Career
EMS Directory

Resources for EMS Leaders

Access state EMS office links for all 51 states and territories, 22 national EMS organizations, and 87 primary source documents spanning 160 years of EMS history.

51
State EMS Offices
22
National Orgs
EMS Directory
NHTSA Office of EMS
EMS Compact
NREMT
NAEMT
NASEMSO
NAEMSP
FICEMS
CoAEMSP
NEMSMA
IAFC EMS Section
ACEP
APCO