Peter Taillac, MD, FACEP
Clinical Professor, Dept. of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical Director, West Valley City Fire Dept and Bureau of EMS, Utah Department of Public Safety

Dr. Taillac is a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is active in EMS and serves as both Medical Director for the West Valley City Fire Department and for the Bureau of EMS, Utah Department of Public Safety. In addition, he served as a Colonel, US Army Medical Corps with combat medical experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. As an EMS medical director, he has advocated for evidence-based improvements in prehospital care, including the early initiation of blood products in hemorrhagic shock.

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Brandon Howard, NRP, FP-C
Battalion Chief, Medical Division - West Valley City Fire Department

Brandon Howard, NRP, FP-C, is a seasoned Battalion Chief in the Medical Division for the West Valley City Fire Department with nearly two decades of progressive leadership and clinical experience. He has demonstrated a consistent ability to develop and sustain high-impact programs that improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and workforce development. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing EMS practices across Utah, including successfully implementing the first pre-hospital blood transfusion in Utah, establishing a statewide benchmark for critical care delivery in the field. 

Brandon has led numerous initiatives, including the creation of a Community Paramedic Outreach Program targeting at-risk populations, development of an IBSC-accredited critical care course, and implementation of advanced treatment protocols such as non-opioid pain management and sepsis alert criteria. He also created a pediatric tool within the EMS reporting system that provides exact equipment selection, medication dosages, and real-time guidance for high-acuity pediatric calls. His focus on data-driven performance improvement significantly increased cardiac arrest survival rates within his department. 

In addition to operational leadership, Brandon is deeply committed to education and mentorship, serving as an adjunct instructor and contributing to state and national EMS training programs. His collaborative work with local, state, and federal partners highlights his ability to coordinate complex systems effectively. Brandon’s career reflects a balance of clinical excellence, innovation, and dedication to advancing prehospital medicine. 

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Cory Russo, DHSc, MBA, F-ABMDI
Chief Medical Examiner Investigator - Utah Office of the Medical Examiner

Dr. Russo is a board certified Medical Examiner Investigator who graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the fields of forensic science, psychology, medical health sciences, and business administration. She earned her doctorate in medical health sciences from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She has worked in multiple hospitals in the ED and NICU. She has conducted research in HIV drug targets, child homicides, and suicide, and she loves the public health focus of the office. She worked as a medical examiner investigator in multiple states before moving back to Utah in 2020. In 2022, she assumed the role of Chief Medical Examiner Investigator for the state of Utah.