About the Presenters

Rick Slaven is the Director of Students for the Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) in Harrogate TN. In that role, he is responsible for the academic and professional progress of a student body of more than 400 students per class. Slaven, a licensed critical care paramedic, has presented at more than 150 local, state, and national conferences. Slaven specializes in 12 lead ECG interpretation and cardiac electrophysiology. He has also served on committees for the Tennessee Board of EMS, the National Association of EMS Educators, and the Tennessee EMS Educators Association. He has also helped develop courses for the National Association of EMTs. Rick is a three-time winner of the highest award given to a staff/faculty member of DCOM. His doctoral coursework has focused on the human element of healthcare and why providers sometimes exhibit less than professional behavior. Rick has been inducted into Omricon Delta Kappa (ODK) as well as the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). A Middle Tennessee State University graduate with a master’s degree in public safety, Slaven also holds a Certificate of Student Well-being, Trauma, and Reliance from Florida State University and professional certification in Trauma and Resilience, also from FSU. In 2021, the Arnold Gold Foundation recognized Rick as a Gold Foundation Champion of Humanistic Care for his work during the COVID pandemic.