EMSPAC 2nd Administration

2026-2030

The following members in good standing have submitted their credentials and hereby apply to take on director roles on the dual EMSPAC Boards & Steering Committee to be installed for the 2026-2030 term as per our bylaws. 

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PUBLIC ADVOCACY COUNCIL

EMSPAC 501(c)3

Lisa Walker, EMTP, RN- President, Chair

Joseph Wolf, EMT- Executive Vice President, Vice President of Marketing and Development

Karessa Abe, BA-Treasurer, VP Finance

Aaron Weiss, EMT-Vice President of Public Affairs

Josette Santana, EMT-Vice President of Communications, Secretary 

Leib Mozyrskiy, EMTP- Vice President of Technology & Logistics

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

EMSPAC 501(c)4

Walter Adler, EMTP-President, Chair

David Besprozvany, EMT-Executive Vice President

Ovadia Choueka, EMTP-Treasurer, VP Finance

Thomas Herera, EMT- Vice President of Lobbying for Manhattan

Jesse Stephen, EMT- Vice President of Lobbying for Brooklyn & SI

Sidney Castiblanco, EMTP-Vice President of Lobbying for Queens & LI

Stacey Espara, RN EMT- Vice President of Lobbying for Bronx and Queens 

Michael O’Connor, EMT- Vice President of Organizing

Malgorzata Brzakalska, EMT-Vice President of Policy

• Please review their bios and certify the slate. 

Director Bios

EMSPAC 501(c)3

Lisa Walker, EMTP, RN, B.S.N.

FOR PRESIDENT, CHAIR

Lisa Walker, EMTP (former), RN, BSN served for 30 years as an NYC Paramedic with HHC, FDNY EMS, Maimonides, Northshore, and Flushing. She has an additional 20 years as an RN. Involved in EMSPAC Peer Support & Hardship Help for the past 3 years, she has managed dozens of cases with the organization. Seeking to normalize, professionalize, and rebrand the organization.

Joseph Wolf, EMT, B.A.

FOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President of Marketing and Development

Currently an EMT with RWJ. Former business owner. Results-driven EMS and operations leader with proven experience in team supervision, regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and cross-agency collaboration. Adept at optimizing emergency medical services, managing budgets, and fostering positive employee relations in high-pressure environments.

FOR TREASURER

Karessa Abe, B.A.

Vice President of Finance, 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.  Founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c)3, she has served for 5 years on the First Administration Steering Committee, largely in communications-related and graphic design roles.

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Aaron Weiss, EMT

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.

Josette Santana, EMT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

Vice President of Communications, Recording Secretary. 

Josette Santana served 20 years as an EMT in the Bronx and Brooklyn, with experience at FDNY EMS, Mentorcare, Transare, and SCEMS. A proud mother of four and grandmother, she has worked alongside countless dedicated EMTs, medics, medical professionals, police officers, and firefighters. Drawing on this experience, she is now committed to working with both longtime colleagues and the next generation of first responders to strengthen solidarity and unite EMS professionals across the nation.

Leib Mozyrskiy, EMTP

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF TECHNOLOGY & LOGISTICS

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,t 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.

EMSPAC 501(c)4

Walter Adler, EMTP, B.A., M.A.

FOR PRESIDENT, CHAIR

Walter Adler has served 22 years in EMS. That includes Transcare, Midwood, FDNY EMS, Cataldo, SCEMS, RCA, Assist, GRM, Bronxcare, Monefiore, Cityblock, and NYU Langone. He has worked in a training or consultant capacity for EMS in Haiti, Iraq, and Syria. Currently an 1199SEIU Delegate for NYU EMS. JD Candidate at CUNY Law. Founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c)3.

David Besprozvany, EMT, B.S.

FOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF OF STAFF 

David has served as an EMT with Maimonides, Northwell, and currently with the Central Park Medical Unit. He is a dispatcher with Cityblock Health and an 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.

Ovadia Choueka, EMTP, CIC

FOR TREASURER

Treasurer, VP Finance.

An active 1199SEIU delegate for Jamaica Hospital, where is works as a paramedic, a CIC at CAHE, and a private businessman in the healthcare supplies industry, Ovadia is a founding member of the 501(c)4 PAC team.

Jesse Stephen, EMT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF LOBBYING

Vice President of Lobbying (Brooklyn, Queens).

Jesse Stephen has served 16 years predominantly in Brooklyn EMS. He has 13 years with FDNY EMS and is currently campaigning to be Vice President of DC-37, Local 2507. Active in the Crisis to Care budget initiative to get $1 million for REMSCO Peer support from the City Council, he has met with numerous Council members and their staff to champion EMS issues.   He is actively deployed to FDNY EMS Station 31 in Brooklyn. 

Tom Hererra, EMT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF LOBBYING

Vice President of Lobbying (Manhattan, Bronx)

A New York City EMT for Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital with over twenty years of service, now serving as EMSPAC’s Vice President of Lobbying. He fights for pay parity with the NYPD and the FDNY, emphasizing that fair wages are vital to resolving the EMS staffing crisis. Tom also champions mental health initiatives to combat PTSD, which affects many EMS providers. He is dedicated to collaborating with New York City Council and State Senate leaders to advance these essential policies.

Sidney Castiblanco, EMTP

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF POLITICAL & CIVIC EDUCATION

Vice President, Political and Civic Education

Sidenty Castibalnco has served 18 years with the FDNY EMS and is currently an instructor at the Bureau of Training.

Malgorzata Brzakalsha, EMT, B.A., M.P.A.

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY 

Former Assist Ambulance and NYP EMS EMT, published author, and strategist for the core policy documents EMSPAC uses to lobby on mental health and pay parity. She is the Emergency and Continuity Planner for the National Cancer Center.

Michael O’Connor, EMT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ORGANIZING

Active Assist EMT, pre-med student at City College, and a front-line labor organizer with 1199SEIU. An EMT for 8 years now since 2017. He works for Assist Ambulance Bronx base, and played a major role in the Organizing Committee for Assist employees’ 1199 campaign.  Currently in Junior Year of an undergraduate degree at City College of New York (CCNY), majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Chemistry and Health Justice. He is also an Honors Student and a fellow of the Colin Powell Fellowship for Leadership and Public Service.