In this edition of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence Zooms (literally) from the U.K. to South Carolina to spotlight one of the nation’s most forward-thinking mobile integrated healthcare programs. Prisma Health’s team has taken community paramedicine beyond buzzwords, designing targeted, evidence-based programs that meet people where they are — both geographically and medically.

| MORE: How North Dakota EMS is confronting rising pediatric mental health crises 

Whether it's addiction medicine, rural HIV/HCV treatment or skilled nursing interventions, this team is shifting paradigms on what EMS can and should be doing.

Rob is joined by four key voices from the Prisma Health MIH program:

Luke Estes, director of MIH

Dr. Mirinda Gormley, epidemiologist and biostatistician

Wes Wampler, community paramedic specializing in addiction and infectious disease

Parker Bailes, community paramedic and research contributor

Together, they unpack how passion meets data to drive change, how to earn trust in communities overlooked by traditional systems, and why this work isn’t just novel — it’s necessary. This is EMS in its truest public health form.

“You delivered the goods—data-driven, community-connected care — and that’s what EMS in 2025 needs more of.” — Rob Lawrence

“When you see some of your people who have a passion for a certain pathway in EMS, you try to give them the reins and say, you're gonna do some good.” — Luke Estes

“One of the big things that we learned from his study was that we really needed to go out and make sure everybody was aware that addiction is a disease.” — Mirinda Gormley

“If we can gain their trust, there’s a lot more that we can kind of weasel our way into to help them solve and get them on a healthier trajectory.” — Wes Wampler

“Walking into the (care) facility with the mindset of, ‘I'm going to do everything I can to keep you here,’ was a big shift for me.” — Parker Bailes

“If we can set them up to be successful after they leave the hospital, I think that's the best way to get them reengaged with the hospital.” — Wes Wampler

“As their leader … all I have to say is, what do you need? I'm here to support you.” — Luke Estes

EMS Clinician Perceptions on Prehospital Buprenorphine Administration Programs: Prehospital Emergency Care: Vol 29 , No 4

Implementation Barriers of Prehospital Buprenorphine Administration Programs in the United States: A Scoping Review: Prehospital Emergency Care: Vol 29 , No 4

Using Community Paramedicine to Treat Hepatitis C Virus in Upstate South Carolina - PMC

Luke Estes BA, NRP, CCEMTP, PNCCT, FP-C, CP-C | LinkedIn

Wesley Wampler | LinkedIn

Support for harm reduction by community EMS

How does a community re-imagine compassion to avoid crisis whenever possible?

Breaking barriers: Hennepin EMS leads the way in safely implementing buprenorphine

00:51 ­– Introduction to Prisma Health MIH & guests

03:00 – Luke Estes overview of MIH models (ETS, SDOH, addiction)

05:00 – Dr. Gormley’s public health journey, data-opioid focus

08:00 – Buprenorphine pilot design and research outcomes

10:15 – Challenges: bias, stigma, barriers to addiction care

13:00 – Funding and sustainability conversation

14:00 – Wes Wampler on daily workflow in addiction medicine and HCV care

17:00 – Building trust with vulnerable populations

18:30 – Parker Bailes discusses traditional CP role and skilled nursing interventions

21:45 – Alternative destinations, lab draws and high-acuity decisions

25:30 – Training: internal education, ultrasound, medication management

28:15 – Prisma’s med school connection and disaster response evolution

30:00 – State-level partnerships: SC EMS Assn, FEMA typing, CP strike teams

31:56 – Academic next steps from Dr. Gormley: scaling, publishing, process evals

35:26 – Final reflections from Luke Estes: passion, team strength and mission

38:00 – Rob’s call to action: “If you want your own Prisma team — start now.”

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