Our Mission
The Emergency Medical Minute disseminates relevant medical education to clinicians and the public through various avenues, striving to be a resource for medical professionals wanting to enhance their knowledge base and practice.
Our Vision
The Emergency Medical Minute is a non-partisan organization that provides quality open-access medical education to health professionals and public for the enhancement of knowledge. The goal of EMM is to provide an accessible media platform where professionals discuss and provide information of educational relevance that can be used as a catalyst to improve local, national, and global communities. EMM will encourage healthcare professionals to stay up to date with the most recent medical advances and best practices.
Diversity & Inclusion
Here at Emergency Medical Minute, we celebrate the differences between our team members. We welcome everyone equally regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe diversity and inclusion goes beyond the makeup and culture of our workplace. Therefore, our content aims to highlight the specific needs our diverse patient populations require when they are cared for in pre-hospital and emergency department settings. With this inclusive approach, we hope to raise the standards of care for all patients in our communities.
The Emergency Medical Minute Team
Jeffrey Olson
Past Executive Director
Jeffrey was born and raised in Greenwood Village, Colorado. He graduated from the University of Denver in 2013. He taught High School Math for 7 years and High School Science for 1 year before returning to school as a medical student at the Univerisity of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. He is currently involved with Student Senate, Knowledge Base (a peer teaching student org), and does research in Ultrasound. He enjoys tennis, lacrosse, and hiking with his wife, Kali, and golden retriever, Ollie. He loves to travel and has most recently done trips to Greece and Japan. He has matched into EM Residency 2026
Steven Fujaros
Executive Director
Steven is an EMT at HCA HealthONE’s Swedish Emergency Room and has been involved in EMS and Education since 2019. In addition, he does research at National Jewish Health, focusing on COPD research and advancements in pulmonary health. He graduated from the University of Colorado Denver, studying Biology and Chemistry, and later earned a Post-Baccalaureate in Health Sciences, while being a leader in the CU LA program. Outside, he trains for marathons, triathlons, and Ironmans.
Ahmed Abdel-Hafiz
Audio Director
Ahmed is a Paramedic with Denver Health Paramedic Division. Ahmed graduated from University of Colorado Denver with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. Ahmed did research on pediatric neuro oncology focusing on advancing chemotherapy treatments. Outside of his professional and academic life, he enjoys the outdoors and mentors a high school robotics team.
Jorge Chalit
Audio Team director and Mental Health Monthly Coordinator
Jorge received his BS in chemistry and BA in psychology at MSU Denver. After graduation, he worked as a medical scribe in the ER at Swedish Medical Center. Now, he is a medical student at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Washington, where he is involved in research and leadership, including serving as President of the Neurology & Psychiatry Club. Jorge plans to pursue a career in psychiatry, and his goal is to establish a comprehensive clinic in Colorado. When he isn’t smashing the spacebar to do Anki cards for school, Jorge enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, and DJing.
Tanisha Crosby-Attipoe
Director of events and grants
Ashley Lyons
Associate Director of Audio Team
Dan Orbidan
Associate Director Of Audio Team
Alice McTavish
Associate Director Of Events
Alice recently graduated from the University of Denver with a BS in biology. She was first introduced to emergency medicine working as a medical scribe at Anschutz and is currently working on Ski Patrol at Winter Park while applying to medical school. During off season, she has been traveling and spending time trying new things.
Meg Joyce
Assistant Director of Audio Team
Lauren Rivera
associate director of audio team
Kendall Armitage
Director of Social Media and Marketing
Sam Pahl
Audio Team
Aaryn David
Audio team
Mason Gimmell
Audio Team
The Emergency Medical Minute Board
jack spartz
founding member
Jack is an Emergency Medicine resident at Denver Health. He earned his MD/MPH from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He helped found Emergency Medical Minute and later served as Vice Chair and then Chair of the organization. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, skiing, and picking up new hobbies.
don stader
chair emeritus
Travis Barlock, MD
EMM chair
Travis is an emergency physician at Swedish Medical Center. He went to the University of Colorado School of Medicine and did residency training in Emergency Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center where he was chief resident. He currently chairs the non-profit podcast organization Emergency Medical Minute and his academic interests include critical care, ultrasonography, and EKGs. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, hiking, painting, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family.
Jordan Ourada
Vice chair
Jordan is a paramedic and now serves as the EMS Coordinator with Thompson Valley EMS. He previously worked at Swedish Medical Center as EMS Coordinator. Before that, he spent seven years as a street medic and field trainer with the Denver Health Paramedic Division. Earlier in his career, he worked in fine art and product development and rode as a bike messenger. He lives in Denver with his wife Angie, his son Max, and his daughter Tilly. They enjoy exploring Colorado and the American West in their 1984 Volkswagen camper van, with frequent stops for hikes, fishing, and van repairs.
erik verzeMnieks
treasurer
Erik Verzemnieks is a practicing emergency physician at Swedish Medical Center and long time member of the Emergency Medical Minute. He is also a member of the Colorado ACEP Board of Directors. Before moving to Colorado, he completed residency in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins. Now, like just about every Coloradan, he enjoys snowboarding, hiking and camping.
Colleen decker
secretary
Other affiliates and past members
- Nate Novotny, Former Director
- Brayan Parga
- Will Dewispelaere MD
- Stephen Bahmani
- Nick Tsipis, MD
- Ryan Circh, MD
- Aaron Wolfe, MD
- Ilsa Hale
- Greyson Elkins
- Sarah Khan, PharmD
- Kelsi Krakauer
- Dylan Luyten, MD
- Joe Powell
- Colleen Decker, MBA, BSN, CEN
- Cameron Redwine, RN
- Rachael Waterson, PharmD
- Lexi Johnson, NP
- Caroline Montgomery OMS-I
- Helen Strong
- Katelyn Tapia
- Aaron Wolfe DO
- Mason Tuttle
- Katelyn Tapia
- Helen Strong