In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence sits down with Tanir Ami of the CARESTAR Foundation to explore a subject that is increasingly central to the future of EMS: equity, data and system design.
Born from the legacy of CalSTAR, CARESTAR has evolved into a philanthropic engine focused on improving EMS through research, convening and targeted investment.
Ami brings a 25-year background in community health, grounded in service to underserved populations, and applies that experience to a sector that is only now beginning to fully interrogate disparities in care and outcomes.
The conversation moves beyond theory into practical reality. From disparities in pain management and pediatric restraint use, to the challenges of fragmented EMS systems and the slow pace of statewide change, Ami outlines both what is known and what remains uncertain.
The throughline is clear: data must be collected, interrogated and acted upon. CARESTAR’s work sits at the intersection of research and action, funding studies, building infrastructure, and creating space for difficult but necessary conversations.
For EMS leaders, the message is direct and national in scope: examine your data, stay curious and be prepared to confront what it reveals.
Key quotes
“The data show that there are differences not only in how people are treated, but on the back end and the outcomes that they experience.” — Tanir Ami
“Particularly Black girls were four times as likely to be physically restrained as any of their counterparts.” — Tanir Ami
“Stay open-minded and open-hearted about what it is, the type of conversation that we’re trying to have.” — Tanir Ami
“We really come at it holding the clinicians who are out working at the front lines of EMS in incredibly high regard, and also simultaneously wanting to talk about how and where and what the challenges are.” — Tanir Ami
“Just collecting those numbers and sending them off … is not the end of the game.” — Rob Lawrence
“We had a section of the city … almost a desert of non-911 calls and we realized that was our Latino community. We worked with them to promote the fact that we’re not ICE … we want to assist you in your emergency. Through that process, we closed off that desert.” — Rob Lawrence
Additional resources
- CARESTAR
- Seeding innovation and racial equity in EMS. Tanir Ami, CEO of California’s CARESTAR Foundation on diversifying the prehospital care workforce and improving health outcomes
- Beyond policy: EMS’s moral duty to deliver equitable care. “Our commitment to take care of others is not a political undertaking; it represents the greatest of social contracts in helping our fellow humans in their time of need.”
- Improving equity in prehospital care. Despite the best efforts of EMS providers, gaps persist – learn what goes into them and what you can do about them
- Rainn Wilson on ‘Code 3’ and the brutal beauty of EMS life. From emotional trauma to gallows humor, Wilson reflects on his new role as a burned-out medic — and why “Code 3” is a tribute to the heart of paramedicine
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About the sponsor
This episode of the EMS One-Stop Podcast is sponsored by the 7th Annual EMS Leadership Summit. Learn from over 25 prehospital leaders from around the world sharing real-world strategies to reduce burnout, improve retention and build stronger organizations. Get your free pass at EMSLeadershipSummit.com/EMS1.
Episode timeline
01:00 – Tanir Ami outlines her 25-year healthcare career and explains the transition from CARESTAR to the CARESTAR Foundation.
04:30 – Discussion of disparities in care and outcomes, and the complexity of addressing systemic inequities.
08:00 – Insights into disparities in pain management and pediatric restraint use, with examples from UC Berkeley and UCSF studies.
11:30 – Focus on building momentum, creating safe spaces for discussion and balancing research with implementation.
15:45 – Overview of CARESTAR funding priorities, including community conversations, behavioral health integration and pilot programs.
20:30 – Exploration of regulatory fragmentation and the challenges of statewide EMS coordination.
25:00 – Call for EMS leaders nationwide to interrogate their own data and remain open to findings.
30:00 – Emphasis on localized interventions and the absence of one-size-fits-all solutions.
35:00 – Tanir reinforces optimism and momentum, leaving listeners with a clear challenge: examine, understand and act on their data.
About CARESTAR
The CARESTAR Foundation is a California-based philanthropic organization dedicated to improving emergency medical services through research, innovation, and system-wide collaboration. Established in 2018 following the sale of the CalSTAR air ambulance program, the foundation was created to honor that legacy by advancing quality, integrity and equitable care across the EMS spectrum. Under the leadership of Tanir Ami, CARESTAR focuses on identifying and addressing disparities in prehospital care, funding research into EMS practices and outcomes, and convening stakeholders to drive meaningful change. Its work emphasizes the use of data to uncover gaps in treatment, supports community-driven solutions, and invests in initiatives that strengthen both the workforce and the systems that serve diverse populations.
