From Response to Real Impact
Thomas McAdam, M.P.H., is Shaping the Next Generation of Disaster Responders Through Education and Public Health Leadership
Before joining the Center for Disaster Medicine in October 2025, Thomas McAdam, M.P.H., educator and accreditation manager in the Institute of Public Health, spent years working as an emergency medical technician, where his day-to-day experiences sparked a deep interest in disease patterns, epidemiology, and public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, McAdam realized the importance of the unique challenges in the EMS field. For him, it wasn’t just about response, it was about understanding the broader public health picture behind the emergencies. “COVID showed me just how much work still needs to be done in EMS. We’re the first to see the start of a disease process, and I wanted to highlight how critical our role is," he states.
This realization led McAdam to pursue an M.P.H. in epidemiology at Columbia University, where he found himself drawn to the statistics, research, and systemic thinking that drive effective public health strategy. When he discovered the Center for Disaster Medicine (CDM) at New York Medical College (NYMC), everything clicked. “I realized I could contribute by teaching first responders, health care providers, and related professionals about disaster medicine and how to prepare for and respond to crises,” he says. “CDM really felt like the place where my experience in EMS, interest in public health, and passion for education could come together.”
Today, McAdam teaches a variety of courses for first responders and health care providers at CDM, including National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians programs and American Red Cross, and American Heart Association basic life support classes. In addition, he assists with designing new courses that are set to launch within the next few years, helping to expand CDM’s reach and impact, and he aims to share this knowledge across New York State to make training more accessible.
Through CDM, he’s found a community of passionate experts from a variety of different fields, including law enforcement, EMS, and all different aspects of disaster preparedness and response. McAdam values the collaboration that helps build the courses and prepare other responders.
Looking ahead, McAdam is set to start the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) program at NYMC in January 2026, marking his next academic milestone. “I’m really excited to meet faculty, staff, and other students who want to implement change in their public health careers, and to be back in the academic space, becoming a leader in disaster preparedness and response,” he says.
McAdam’s journey from EMT to educator, and aspiring Dr.P.H. candidate, reflects his commitment to protecting our communities, while shaping a more resilient and prepared workforce for the challenges ahead.
