Director Bios
Walter Adler, EMTP, B.A., M.A.
PRESIDENT
Walter Adler, M.A., EMT-P, J.D. Candidate, has dedicated 23 years to EMS, working across public, hospital, municipal, and private systems, including Transcare, Midwood Ambulance, FDNY EMS, Cataldo, SCEMS, RCA, Assist, GRM, BronxCare, Montefiore, Cityblock, and NYU Langone.
Walter has also worked in EMS training and consulting capacities in Haiti, Iraq, and Syria, bringing international experience to his work in emergency medical services. He currently serves as an 1199SEIU delegate for NYU EMS and is a J.D. Candidate at CUNY School of Law.
Walter is a founding member of EMSPAC’s 501(c)(3) and has helped build the organization around EMS worker advocacy, peer support, education, and public engagement. He has worked to unite EMS professionals across FDNY, hospital, private, and volunteer systems and strengthen their collective voice for better working conditions, professional recognition, and investment in the EMS workforce.
Karessa Abe, B.A.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Karessa Abe holds a B.A. in Communications from SUNY Albany. She is Deputy Director at the Greater Ridgewood Development Council and a former Public School STEM instructor. She has been the EMSPAC 501(c)3 Treasurer since 2024. She has been the ‘Third Service’ Editor in Chief since 2021. A founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c) (3), she has served for five years on the First Administration Steering Committee, primarily in communications-related and graphic design roles.
Ovadia Choueka, EMTP, CIC
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Ovadia Choueka, EMTP, CIC, is a New York City paramedic at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, an active 1199SEIU delegate, and a Certified Instructor Coordinator. He is also a founding member and financial officer of EMSPAC 501(c)4 Team, where he advocates for stronger wages, working conditions, and professional recognition for EMS workers. Choueka is active in EMS education and healthcare, combining frontline paramedic experience with labor and public advocacy.
Sidney Castiblanco, EMTP
SECRETARY GENERAL
Sidney Castiblanco, EMTP, is a veteran New York City EMS professional with 19 years of experience serving patients and communities through FDNY EMS. Throughout his career, Sidney has remained committed to the frontline EMS workforce and to strengthening the profession he has dedicated nearly two decades to serving.
Sidney has served as an instructor with the FDNY Bureau of Training, helping prepare and educate the next generation of EMS professionals. His experience on the street and in EMS education gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing both new and veteran providers.
A longtime EMS advocate, Sidney has been involved with EMSPAC for more than four years and has represented the Queens Division on the EMSPAC Steering Committee. He serves as EMSPAC Secretary General, where he contributes to the organization’s efforts to organize EMS workers, advocate for better working conditions and professional recognition, and build a stronger voice for EMS across New York City.
Jesse Stephen, EMT
VICE PRESIDENT
Jesse Stephen, EMT, is a veteran FDNY EMS professional with 17 years of experience in emergency medical services, including 14 years serving the people of New York City with FDNY EMS, primarily in Brooklyn. A strong advocate for frontline EMS workers, Jesse has dedicated himself to fighting for better staffing, fair compensation, improved working conditions, and the resources EMS professionals need to provide quality patient care.
As EMSPAC Vice President of Lobbying for Brooklyn and Staten Island, Jesse works directly with elected officials, labor leaders, and community advocates to build political support for EMS. He has played an active role in securing funding for EMS peer support and mental health initiatives and continues to push for greater recognition, respect, and investment in the EMS workforce. Through EMSPAC, Jesse brings the perspective of a frontline EMT to the fight for a stronger, better-funded, and more respected EMS system. He is actively deployed to FDNY EMS Station 59 in Brooklyn.
Josette Santana, EMT
VICE PRESIDENT
Josette Santana, EMT, is a veteran EMS professional with 20 years of experience serving communities across the Bronx and Brooklyn. Her career includes service with FDNY EMS, Transcare, Mentorcare, and SCEMS, giving her extensive experience across both public and private EMS.
A passionate advocate for EMS professionals, Josette has dedicated her career to caring for patients while standing up for the people who provide that care. As EMSPAC Vice President of Communications and Recording Secretary, she works to strengthen solidarity among EMS workers, elevate the voice of frontline providers, and build connections between experienced EMS professionals and the next generation of first responders. A proud mother and grandmother, Josette brings both frontline experience and a deep commitment to the EMS community to her leadership at EMSPAC.
Leib Mozyrskiy, EMTP
VICE PRESIDENT
Leib has served in EMS since 2021, starting as an EMT and advancing to Paramedic. He has experience in 911, IFT, Event, and Specialty transport, providing compassionate, skilled care. With prior experience in the tech industry, he brings innovation and problem-solving to EMSPAC. He is committed to professional growth, teamwork, and advancing the field of prehospital medicine. Leib has chaired the EMSPAC Hardship Committee helping manage member crisis and peer support systems since 2025.
Michael O’Connor, EMT
VICE PRESIDENT
Active Assist Ambulance EMT, a pre-med student at City College, and a front-line employee organizer with 1199SEIU. He has been an EMT for 8 years. He works at Assist Ambulance-Bronx base and played a major role in the Organizing Committee for Assist employees’ 1199 campaign. In 2026 O’Connor served on the Bargaining Team as a lead employee-delegate and helped successfully negotiate the first private sector EMS contract of 1199SEIU with Assist Ambulance.Currently in Senior Year of an undergraduate degree at City College of New York (CCNY), he is an Honours Student and a fellow of the Colin Powell Fellowship for Leadership and Public Service. He is an aspiring future doctor.
Aaron Weiss, EMT
DIRECTOR
Dedicated Chaplain | Law Enforcement Advisor | Community & Government Relations Expert
I am an ambitious and motivated professional committed to providing sound advice and counsel to law enforcement, government officials, and communities during times of crisis and unrest. With a strong background in emergency crisis management and community relations, I specialize in fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c)3, he has served for 5 years on the First Administration.
Stacey Esparra, EMT
DIRECTOR
With more than 23 years of experience as an EMT, both professionally and as a volunteer with Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GOVAC), Stacy has dedicated her career to patient care and strengthening the EMS community. A committed leader of EMSPAC, she advocates for fair compensation, improved working conditions, and greater recognition for EMTs and paramedics. As a Vice President of Lobbying for the Bronx and Queens, she brings extensive field experience, strong community relationships, and a proven record of advocacy. Her focus is on amplifying EMS voices, building partnerships with local leaders, and advancing legislation that promotes safety, respect, and fair pay for all EMS professionals.
David Besprozvany, EMT, B.S.
DIRECTOR
David has served as an EMT with Maimonides, Northwell, and with the Central Park Medical Unit. He is a dispatcher with Cityblock Health and and aspiring future physician. A founder of the EMSPAC 501(c)4, David has been heavily involved with planning and implementation of the EMSPAC efforts, serving on the Steering Committee since 2022. He is currently a Medical Student at NYU, an MD candidate for 2029.
Malgorzata Brzakalsha, EMT, B.A., M.P.A.
DIRECTOR
Malgorzata Brzakalska is an emergency management and business continuity professional with over a decade of experience in federal, healthcare, and private sectors. A former Assist Ambulance and NewYork-Presbyterian EMT, published author, and policy strategist for EMSPAC, she now serves as an Emergency and Continuity Planner at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), leading its Business Continuity and COOP programs. A recipient of the 2024 NCI Director’s Award and 2021 NIH Director’s Award, she is recognized for her leadership in preparedness, crisis communication, and interagency coordination during major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Holding an MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management and certifications as a CBCP and APIO, Malgorzata continues to advance public safety, organizational resilience, and equitable policy advocacy nationwide. Malgorzata has helped develop EMSPAC’s key policy positions.
