By Leila Merrill
COLUMBUS, Ohio — NREMT Chief Certification Officer Mark Terry will go into semi-retirement, effective Oct. 3, the organization announced Monday.
Terry served with the organization for 14 years, first as a member of its board of directors and later as a member of the leadership team.
A news release by NREMT championed Terry as instrumental in several accomplishments, such as the introduction of automated recertification application reviews, guidance on the Continued Competency Agenda For The Future, coordination of the removal of redundant conviction review requirements to remove inconsistencies with state licensing agencies, and coordinated improvements for the customer experience team leading to the significant reduction of phone and email wait times.
National Registry’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Bill Seifarth said Terry played a pivotal role in adapting certification requirements during the pandemic —including extensions, recertification modifications and provisional certification.
“I encourage the EMS community to join me in wishing Mark all the best and a heartfelt thanks for his years of service not only to the National Registry, but also the EMS profession,” said Seifarth.
Before joining NREMT, Terry served as the deputy chief for Johnson County, Kansas, MED-ACT and the director of operations and director of learning systems for MAST ambulance in Kansas City. He has worked on projects with a variety of organizations, including the American Heart Association, the National Association of EMS Educators and the Commission on Accreditation of Prehospital Continuing Education. Terry served on the National Registry Board of Directors from 2009 until 2016, becoming the treasurer before accepting a full-time role as senior director of operations with the organization.
“EMS is all about great people working together for great results,” said Terry about his accomplishments. “I am proud of what I have contributed, but I’m even prouder of the personal and professional relationships I’ve forged at the National Registry and throughout the industry.”
Terry shared one of his favorite sayings.
“Prediction is hard, particularly predicting the future. I am sure I will continue to work on various EMS projects in the future. But first I want to spend some time with my family.”