Michael Mejia

Michael Mejia, MBA, NRP, is a firefighter, paramedic, and EMS educator whose work connects clinical care, operational leadership, and first responder support. His approach is rooted in a personal experience. Watching his mother, Yolanda Santander, battle the cancer that ultimately claimed her life. Her experience shaped his commitment to giving every patient the compassion and dignity he wanted for her.

Over nearly two decades, Michael’s career has spanned airport fire rescue, technical rescue, tactical medicine, neonatal intensive care transport, disaster response, and on-track fire rescue for NASCAR and IMSA events. He serves at Orlando International Airport, and his leadership experience includes HERT team leader and trainer, strike team commander for planned missions and emergency responses, and deputy commander of the United National Honor Guard, commanding its Fire Department Division.

A former EMS program director overseeing five campuses, Michael stepped down to pursue his master’s degree in nursing. He continues to develop future clinicians as an EMS educator, EMS World faculty member, preceptor, and field training officer, emphasizing critical thinking, compassionate communication, and sound judgment under pressure.

Michael believes medicine is both a science and an art in its practice. Science provides the knowledge and evidence; the art lies in applying them thoughtfully to the person in front of you. That philosophy guides his approach to patient care, education, and leadership.

Michael also helped establish and lead his department’s peer support team and founded Forged Through the Fire to support first responders and veterans. His mission is to strengthen both the care responders provide and the support they receive, building a culture where asking for help is an act of strength, courage, and responsibility.