Leadership Profiles
MHPC Staff
Bio
Kariena started in Emergency Medical Services as a volunteer with Matthews Fire and Rescue department in 2000. This spurred Kariena’s interest in the EMS field and began her career at Mecklenburg EMS Agency in 2001. During the 15 years at MEDIC she worked in a high paced and rapidly growing community and EMS system. Over the course of the years she worked as a 911 dispatcher, EMT basic and spent the past 9 years as a Paramedic as well as assist with training at MEDIC. She has had opportunities to work in a variety of different venues and high profile events. She has worked as a Special Operation Paramedic attached to the local law enforcement for special missions and was the training officer for the team. She has also trained and handled her SAR/USAR K9 until recently when the K9 was retired. She has an AAS in Electronic Engineering Technology, a BS in Emergency Disaster Management from Western Carolina University, and an MPA from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Grant Management
- Program Management
- Mental Health Awareness Coordination
- LTC Coordination Deputy
Contact KC
kariena.bernesser@atriumhealth.org
Cell: 704-258-8966
Bio
Scott’s exposure to disaster management began as a paramedic and member of a SMAT-III team. He functioned with hazardous materials, confined space/structural collapse, and special events teams. He holds a BS in biology and a BA in English from Appalachian State University, as well as an MPA with a concentration in Emergency Management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Hospital First Receiver Project Management
- Training, Exercises, and Operations Primary
- Logistics Secondary
- Healthcare Information Sharing System
Contact Scott
michael.hess@atriumhealth.org
Cell: 704-221-2818
Bio
Dan started in Emergency Services as a volunteer firefighter during college at the University of South Carolina. This experience increased his interest in emergency services, and he decided to pursue the field full-time as a Firefighter Paramedic in Gwinnett County, Georgia. While working full-time, he started his Master’s in Emergency Management at Georgetown University and completed the program working for MED-1. He has a black lab named Sookie and looks forward to serving the region and helping out any way he can.
Roles and Responsibilities
- SMAT II Leader
- Planning Lead – HVA, Regional Planning
- Operations and Logistics Secondary
- Website Management
Contact Dan
Daniel.GlaserReich@atriumhealth.org
Cell: 704-351-8832
Bio
Lukas’s exposure to emergency management and crisis response began with his time spent serving as a United State Marine. This exposure increased his desire to pursue emergency management as a career following his time served. Lukas holds a BS in Emergency Disaster Management and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Fire and Emergency Sciences. In his free time Lukas enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and mountain biking. He looks forward to serving the region and being a valued asset.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Logistics Lead
- Operations Secondary
- SMAT III Liaison
Contact Lukas
Lukas.Musselwhite@atriumhealth.org
Cell: 704-579-4150
MHPC Steering Committee
Mark Lamphiear started his road to an EMS career watching re-runs of Rescue 8 on TV, and later in a Search and Rescue Explorer Post. He earned his EMT certification in in 1975 and Paramedic certification in 1978, graduating from the first Paramedic class at the Oregon Health and Science University. After working his way up on the streets, Mark was hired to head EMS in Gaston County, NC in 1992. Lamphiear earned an MBA from Queens University in Charlotte, NC in 2000. He holds designation as a Chief EMS Officer, and counts it as a privilege to serve in EMS . . . “It’s not just a job, it’s a calling”. Mark is honored to serve on the Steering Committee for the Metrolina Healthcare Preparedness Coalition. Mark and his wife Becky have four grown kids, four kids-in-law, and nine grandkids . . . six boys and three girls. He enjoys time with family, boating, camping, hiking, and traveling to National parks and historic sites.
Mike Helton, RN, BSN, MS EM, is the Emergency Management Coordinator for Catawba Valley Medical Center. He is the chairperson of the Emergency Management Committee, HazMat Subcommittee and has oversight for hospital OSHA compliance. He works to coordinate all EM activities with key stakeholders within the county, region and state. Active in the Metrolina Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, and one of two original SMAT members still active. Prior to taking the Emergency Management Coordinator role he worked in the Emergency Department setting for 12 years as a RN.
In 1989, Jill began working with and training emergency responders at the University of Findlay’s Emergency Response Training Center. While attending college, she also joined her first volunteer fire department. Jill has not only volunteered as a firefighter, but also as an EMT-Basic and Hazardous Materials Technician. Her professional career began at a radioactive materials clean-up site, where she did safety, environmental sampling, and data work. After six years, Jill decided to focus her work solely on safety and began working at universities. For almost 12 years, she worked in all branches of safety and emergency management at three different universities. Currently, Jill is the Continuing Care Safety Officer for Carolinas Healthcare System and provides safety and emergency management support to our skilled nursing, hospice and home care facilities. She is looking forward to working with and learning from the MHPC!