Brief history of Jack Stout’s impact on EMS (approx. 2 minutes)
To see Jack’s articles and other writings, please visit the Jack Stout page on EMS Museum.org
2024 recipient, Mary E. Meeks, EMS District Chief for Chatham Emergency Services (CES), headquartered in Savannah, Ga., was announced. See full article here.
Jack Stout Fellowship–2024 recipient, Mary E. Meeks interview with Mike Taigman and Rob Lawrence
Applications Will Open for the 2025-26 Jack Stout EMS Fellowship on February 15, 2025
The Jack Stout EMS Fellowship, endowed by FirstWatch, is accepting applications now through March 15, 2025. Now in its fourth year, the Fellowship is open to emerging EMS leaders interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills to lead EMS systems now and in the future.
The Fellowship was developed by FirstWatch in cooperation with the Fitch EMS Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Fitch & Associates in 2021 in honor of Jay Fitch, PhD. Its mission is to build on the firm’s core value of leadership development by providing access to educational opportunities through scholarships to aspiring leaders. Celebrating its 27th year, FirstWatch helps public safety and healthcare professionals better serve their communities through technology, data and the science of quality improvement.
The Fellowship is named for the late Jack Stout, often called the father of high-performance EMS systems. The curriculum will be based on fundamental principles espoused by Stout:
- How to be a people-centered leader. Someone who effectively puts patients, their caregivers, and the people who support them, at the center of their daily decisions, budget and overall organizational strategy.
- What and how it means to be data driven. Understanding how to request data, analyze the results, and make decisions using all kinds of system data.
- The elements of improvement science. Using a structured process to drive improvements in everything from clinical care and employee joy to fiscal health and fleet reliability.
- How to use systems thinking. Making better decisions moment by moment and engaging in more effective strategic planning requires a view of the big picture.
The current recipient is Mary E. Meeks, EMS District Chief for Chatham Emergency Services (CES), headquartered in Savannah, Ga.
“The Jack Stout Fellowship has been the most transformative experience in my professional life,” says Meeks. “I would encourage anyone interested to apply. It takes some time, sure, but it’s incredibly beneficial to think about who you are as a person, your career, and what you value.”
The selected Jack Stout EMS Fellow will attend the 2025 Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum, held this year July 14 – 18, 2025, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Phoenix, Ariz. He or she will also attend either the Fitch Ambulance Service Manager (ASM) program or the Communication Center Manager (CCM) program with all registration and travel expenses covered by FirstWatch.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship will be accepted through March 15, 2025. For more information about the fellowship, visit FitchEMSFoundation.org.
About FirstWatch
FirstWatch helps public safety and healthcare professionals serve their communities through the use of technology, data, and the science of quality improvement. Drawing on deep experience in emergency services, the FirstWatch team develops software and personalized solutions for more than 500 communities across North America.
About the Fitch EMS Foundation
The Fitch EMS Foundation is a non-profit entity that supports leadership development and research efforts for emergency medical services and public safety. It is endowed by Fitch & Associates, other major organizations and individuals that believe that the future of our profession requires the aggressive development of its future leaders.
About the Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum
Now in its 20th year, Pinnacle is the only leadership-focused national meeting that serves all EMS service models. Always located in a retreat-like setting, the conference is renowned for
Contact:
Hannah Fitch, Executive Director
Fitch EMS Foundation
hannahf@FitchEMSFoundation.org
816-431-2600
Mike Taigman, Improvement Guide
FirstWatch
mtaigman@firstwatch.net
510-593-5730
2023 recipient, Kayla Welwood, manager of Low Acuity and Integrated Care with the Clinical Hub, at theBritish Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) was announced. See full article here.
2022 inaugural recipient, Matt Parrish, a captain with the Columbus (Ohio) Division of Fire was announced. See full article here.
The Jack Stout EMS Fellowship, Endowed by FirstWatch, Provides Unique Opportunities for Leadership Development
PLATTE CITY, MO — The Jack Stout EMS Fellowship, endowed by FirstWatch, will be open to any aspiring EMS leader who is interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills to lead EMS systems now and in the future. Named for the late Jack Stout, considered to be the father of high-performance EMS systems, the Fellowship will allow selected individuals to learn the principles espoused by Stout:
- How to be a people-centered leader. Someone who effectively puts patients, the people who care for them, and the people who support the process at the center of their strategy, daily decisions, and budget.
- What and how it means to be data driven. Understanding how to request data, analyze the results, and make decisions using all kinds of system data.
- The elements of improvement science. Using a structured process to drive improvements in everything from clinical care and employee joy to fiscal health and fleet reliability.
- How to use systems thinking. Making better decisions moment by moment and engaging in more effective strategic planning requires a view of the big picture.
- And much more.
The Jack Stout EMS Fellowship was developed by FirstWatch in cooperation with the Fitch EMS Foundation, a non-profit organization announced in August 2021 at the Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum. Led by Jay Fitch, PhD, its mission is to build on Fitch & Associates’ core value of leadership development by giving back through scholarships to emerging leaders.
“We strongly embrace the legacy of Jack Stout, who in fact served as an important mentor to me,” said Jay Fitch, PhD. “I am honored to have the Fitch EMS Foundation partner with FirstWatch to create the Stout Fellowship.”
Jack Stout Fellows will attend the 2022 Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum and either the Fitch Ambulance Service Manager (ASM) program or the Communication Center Manager (CCM) program with all expenses covered by FirstWatch. Fellows will be mentored by FirstWatch senior leaders Todd Stout, Founder and President, Randy Skomsvold, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Silvia Verdugo, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Mike Taigman, Improvement Guide, among others, including Jay Fitch, PhD and other members of the Fitch leadership team.
“FirstWatch is so proud of this partnership and opportunity for leadership development,” said Todd Stout, son of Jack Stout and founder of FirstWatch. “Giving back to our profession is part of who we are and we appreciate how the Fitch EMS Foundation facilitated making this happen in my father’s name.”
Nominations for the 2022-2023 Fellowship will be accepted through June 15, 2022, and the chosen candidate will have the option of attending Pinnacle 2022, all expenses and registration paid. To apply, go to FitchEMSFoundation.org and select the Jack Stout EMS Fellowship, endowed by FirstWatch.
About FirstWatch
FirstWatch helps public safety and healthcare professionals serve their communities through the use of technology and the science of quality improvement. Drawing on deep experience in emergency services, the FirstWatch team develops software and personalized solutions for over 500 communities across North America.
About the Fitch EMS Foundation
The Foundation was created by the EMS consulting firm Fitch & Associates and others who believe the future of the EMS profession requires the aggressive development of its future leaders. By providing scholarships, the Foundation opens the door to a community of high-performing emerging leaders who need a helping hand for a national perspective.
About the Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum
Now in its 16th year, Pinnacle is the only leadership-focused national meeting that serves all EMS service models. Always located in a retreat-like setting, the conference is renown for its networking, mentoring and cutting-edge program. This year’s Pinnacle will be at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida.
Contact:
Mike Taigman, Improvement Guide, FirstWatch
mtaigman@firstwatch.net
510-593-5730
