Our People

Meet Our Leadership

Our team brings decades of combined experience in emergency medicine, event operations, and healthcare management.

Our Clinical Team

With over 2,500 credentialed medical professionals nationwide, our clinical team is the backbone of every deployment. All providers are required to have active emergency department experience, hold current certifications, and complete ParaDocs-specific onboarding.

Physicians

Emergency medicine-trained MDs and DOs providing medical oversight and ALS interventions.

Paramedics

ALS providers with ER experience who handle cardiac, trauma, and critical emergencies.

Registered Nurses

ER and critical care nurses managing triage, IV therapy, medication administration, and patient care.

EMTs

BLS-certified technicians providing first aid, patient assessment, and vital-sign monitoring.

■ The Red Shirt Standard

On the ground, our team is instantly recognizable in their signature red polo shirts. Whether operating backstage or at the front gates, they represent professionalism, discretion, and clinical excellence.

Our medical staff integrates seamlessly with event production teams. VIP talent, executives, and performers trust the red shirt as a symbol of care and confidentiality.

Medical credentialing materials including certifications, badges, and training documents

verified Credentialing & Training

check_circleActive emergency department experience required
check_circleCurrent state and national certifications verified
check_circleParaDocs-specific orientation and onboarding
check_circleCovered under ParaDocs malpractice insurance
check_circleBackground checked

Clinical Oversight

Celine ThumMD, FAAEM

Medical Director

Dr. Celine Thum joined our team as Northeast Medical Director in early 2012. She is a board-certified Emergency Physician, Director of Emergency Medicine Ultrasound at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and a Ringside Physician for USA Boxing and the New York State Athletic Commission. Dr. Thum brings extensive experience in emergency care, combining her clinical expertise with a deep understanding of event-specific medical challenges.

Nadia Maria ShaukatMD, RDMS, FACEP

Associate Medical Director

Dr. Nadia Maria Shaukat joined our team as a staff physician in 2016. She is a board-certified Emergency Physician with fellowship training in Emergency Ultrasound. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of Emergency Ultrasound and the Associate Fellowship Director of Emergency Ultrasound at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.

Danica BarronMD

Associate Medical Director, Pacific Region

Dr. Danica Barron joined our team in 2017 as Pacific Region Medical Director and specializes in Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals. After graduating from Yale University Medical School, she completed her Emergency Medicine residency at UCSF-Highland Hospital. Dr. Barron is board-certified, a Drug Medical Review Officer, and an Advanced Trauma Life Support Instructor.

James SalwayMD, MSc, CHEP, FNYAM

Associate Medical Director, Special Operations

Dr. James Salway joined our team as a staff physician in 2019. He is a board-certified Emergency Physician with fellowship training in Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness. Dr. Salway serves as the Senior Director of Emergency Management at NYC Health + Hospitals and practices clinically at Kings County Hospital Center while holding an academic position at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Anthony ZarzuelaEMT-P

Director of Health and Safety

Anthony Zarzuela has been part of the ParaDocs team since 2014, growing from an ALS Supervisor to Director of Health and Safety over more than a decade with the organization. In his current role, he oversees clinical quality standards and supports the delivery of high-level medical care across all ParaDocs deployments nationwide.

Bayla BryskiRDN

Wellness Coach

Bayla is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a master's degree in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. She graduated summa cum laude from Brooklyn College with a degree in Health and Nutrition Sciences and completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Operational Leadership

Alex PollakMBA, EMT-P, MPH

Chief Executive Officer

Alex Pollak is a seasoned NYC paramedic with 18 years of 911 experience. He served as a first responder during the 9/11 World Trade Center attack, contributing to recovery and relief efforts. He holds an MBA in Finance and International Business, an MPH in Health Care Management, and is certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Leo Vanegas

Chief Operating Officer

Leo Vanegas joined ParaDocs in 2013 as an EMT and quickly moved up through the ranks. He gained valuable experience working within the NYC 911 system at a voluntary hospital in central Brooklyn, as a supervisor at an ambulance company, and in the mental health field, supporting autistic children and families through intensive at-home family therapy.

Zachary Chan

Director of Festival Operations

Zachary Chan serves as Director of Festival Operations for ParaDocs Worldwide, leading the operational buildout that allows ParaDocs teams to deploy quickly and consistently at events nationwide. With nearly fifteen years alongside the organization, Zach has helped shape how ParaDocs plans, staffs, and executes medical operations in fast-moving, high-density festival environments.

David Barbosa

Director of Technology

David Barbosa is an experienced leader with a strong background in EMS, technology, and event operations. With over 15 years in the NYC EMS system, David has worked with several local and national EMS agencies, gaining extensive experience in emergency planning, event operations, and special project management, including managing major concerts and festivals.

Jon SaltzmanAEMT-P

Director of Communications & MEDCOM

Jon Saltzman has over 22 years of experience in public service, beginning his EMS career in the NY Capital District area before joining American Medical Response in NYC as an operations supervisor. He transitioned to municipal service in 2008, joining FDNY as a paramedic in Brooklyn.

Jeffrey Day

Director of Emergency Planning

Jeffery Day joined our team after retiring from the Orlando Fire Department with over 28 years of experience, including the last 10 years as a field operations District Chief. As an Operations Chief, Jeff also served as the Special Events Coordinator for the Orlando Fire Department, responsible for medical and emergency response planning, staffing, and managing events throughout the city.

Kevin Villatoro

Festival Logistics Manager

Kevin Villatoro serves as Festival Logistics Manager for ParaDocs Worldwide, where he supports large-scale event deployments through coordinated planning, staffing, and on-the-ground execution. An experienced New York City 9-1-1 EMT, Kevin brings real-world field perspective into every operational decision, understanding firsthand what teams need in dynamic, high-demand environments.

Joseph Alvarado

Festival Operations Manager

Joseph Alvarado brings nearly two decades of 9-1-1 EMS experience to his role as Festival Operations Manager for ParaDocs Worldwide. His career spans both New York City and Long Island EMS systems, where he has worked in high-volume, high-acuity environments that demand leadership, discipline, and operational precision.

Melissa Morales

Scheduling Manager

Melissa Morales has been with ParaDocs Worldwide since the organization's earliest days, contributing across a range of roles as the company grew from a startup to a nationally recognized operation. With a background in EMS management spanning several agencies across New York City, she brings deep institutional knowledge and logistical expertise to the team.

Elysian WardEMT

Operational Coordinator

Elysian Ward is an experienced New York City 9-1-1 EMT who brings frontline perspective to her role as Operational Coordinator at ParaDocs Worldwide. She currently manages medical operations at the organization's Jacob Javits Convention Center contract, overseeing day-to-day coordination, team management, and service delivery at one of the busiest venues in the city.