MEET THE TEAM
The Alpha Event Medicine leadership team combines decades of hands-on experience in emergency care, event operations, and medical management. Together, they bring the knowledge and leadership required to keep large events safe and running seamlessly.
Miranda Adkins
DNP, RN
Founder & Executive Director
Founder & Executive Director | Emergency Nurse | Healthcare Leader
Born and raised in Central Kentucky, Miranda Adkins graduated from Midway College and began her nursing career in 2006 in a busy urban emergency department, where she discovered her passion for emergency services. During this time, she also served as the track nurse at Keeneland Race Course, an experience that sparked her enduring interest in providing care at large-scale events. She went on to serve in hospital leadership roles before earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in population and organizational health systems leadership from the University of Kentucky. Miranda later taught in the UK College of Nursing before founding Alpha Event Medicine in 2021.
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Built from the ground up under her leadership, Alpha has grown into a leading provider of on-site medical services, with a highly skilled team delivering care across many of the region’s largest sporting, entertainment, and equestrian venues. Today, she continues to guide the company’s expansion and commitment to advancing the field of event medicine.
Matthew Ward
EMT-P, MBA
Director of EMS & Equine Sports
Director of EMS & Racing | Paramedic | Emergency Services Leader
A Lexington native, Matt graduated from Henry Clay High School in 1996 and attended Eastern Kentucky University. In 2000, he began his career at the Lexington Fire Department, earning his paramedic license in 2002. Matt spent nearly a decade providing emergency prehospital care to the citizens of the Lexington-Fayette County area. In 2005, he also joined the University of Kentucky HealthCare Emergency Department as a paramedic.
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In 2009, Matt became a flight paramedic for Air Methods of Kentucky. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Fire Science in 2011 and earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2014. Following his career at the Lexington Fire Department, Matt served as Clinical Manager of EMS at UK HealthCare, where he directed teams at high-profile events such as the PGA Championship and the Kentucky Three-Day Event, and collaborated with interdisciplinary leadership to develop UK HealthCare’s first ECMO transport team.
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Matt has played a key leadership role in Alpha Event Medicine since its inception in 2021. As Director of EMS and Racing, he oversees emergency medical operations across major racing venues and large-scale events in Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. His leadership encompasses the coordination of response teams, development of clinical standards, and management of medical coverage in high-pressure environments. Through his vision and expertise, Matt has been central to building Alpha Event Medicine’s reputation as a trusted provider of event and racing medical services.
Patricia Ward
Director of Operations
Director of Operations | Emergency Care Specialist | Event Medicine Leader
Raised in the heart of horse country in Versailles, Kentucky, Patricia Ward earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Kentucky University before beginning a career in emergency care that has spanned nearly two decades. She spent 19 years in a busy trauma center, where she gained extensive experience in high-acuity care and provided medical support for elite sporting events including the PGA, Keeneland Race Course, and the Land Rover Three-Day Event.
Since 2021, Patricia has held leadership roles within Alpha Event Medicine, where she now serves as Director of Operations. In this capacity, she oversees the planning and execution of medical services across many of Kentucky’s most prominent venues, including Churchill Downs, the KFC Yum! Center, and the Kentucky Horse Park. Her leadership encompasses strategy, staffing, payroll, and logistics, ensuring seamless and reliable medical coverage for large-scale events.
John Johnson
EMT
Deputy Director of EMS & Mass Gatherings
Deputy Director of EMS | Mass Gatherings Specialist | Emergency Management Leader
John Johnson brings over 20 years of diverse experience in Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, he graduated from Fairdale High School before launching a career in EMS that would span two decades of leadership and frontline service.
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He has spent the majority of his career with Louisville Metro EMS, one of the state’s busiest urban EMS systems, where he has served in roles including Health and Safety Officer, Operations Officer, and Deputy Chief. John has led medical planning and support for many of the region’s largest and most logistically complex events, including the Kentucky Derby, Thunder Over Louisville, Louder Than Life, Bourbon & Beyond, and Forecastle Festival.
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Drawing on both national best practices and firsthand experience from high-demand environments, John ensures every event is staffed with capable, prepared providers ready to deliver exceptional care.
Walt Lubbers
MD
Medical Director
Medical Director | Emergency Physician | EMS Educator
Dr. Walt Lubbers is a board-certified emergency physician and emergency medical services specialist from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Kentucky, followed by a fellowship in EMS Services at the University of Cincinnati.
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Dr. Lubbers has served as faculty at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati Colleges of Medicine, working in a level-one trauma center and leading EMS programs. He currently serves as the Medical Director for the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services and multiple municipal EMS systems, where he continues to advance prehospital care through leadership, education, and mentorship.
Phil Dietz
EMT-P, BSHS
Site Lead Northern KY / Cincinnati
Site Lead | EMS Coordinator | Instructor
Phil Dietz is an accomplished EMS leader with over 30 years of experience in the Fire and Emergency Medical Services field. He currently serves as the EMS Coordinator for Emergency Services and the Heart & Vascular Institute at The Christ Hospital Health Network, where he oversees operations and clinical quality.
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Throughout his career, Phil has held key leadership roles, including Captain with City of Newport Fire/EMS and Assistant Fire Chief/EMS Director for both the Independence Fire District and Fort Mitchell Fire & EMS. He served as Chairman of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (2018–2022) and remains active in the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association. A dedicated educator, Phil is an American Heart Association instructor in ACLS, PALS, and BLS, and contributes to EMS simulation training and leadership education across the state.
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Phil holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Northern Kentucky University and continues to advance EMS practice and patient outcomes through his leadership, teaching, and commitment to the profession.
Mike Gafford
EMT-P
Service Director - Illinois
Service Director | EMS Operations Leader | Event Medicine Expert
Mike Gafford began his career in emergency services over two decades ago and has served as a firefighter paramedic with the City of Collinsville for 21 years, dedicating his career to frontline response and community protection.
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In addition to his municipal service, Mike spent 10 years as the EMS Manager for World Wide Technology Raceway, where he oversaw large-scale event medical operations and ensured emergency readiness at one of the region’s premier venues.
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He holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety from Oklahoma State University. Today, as Service Director for Illinois at Alpha Event Medicine, Mike draws on his extensive experience to lead medical teams across major racing and entertainment venues with a focus on operational excellence and public safety.
Jim Wilderman
EMT-P
Operations Manager - Illinois
Operations Manager | Firefighter Paramedic | EMS Educator
Since 2025, Jim has served as Operations Manager in Illinois, overseeing daily operations and supporting organizational growth. He brings more than a decade of experience in emergency medical services to Alpha Event Medicine.
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Jim has been a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Collinsville since 2019 and has worked in EMS since 2011, earning his paramedic certification in 2017. He holds certifications in PALS, ACLS, and ITLS and serves as an American Heart Association instructor, teaching CPR/AED and First Aid.
He began his career in public safety after earning his Associate’s Degree in Fire Science in 2011, building a professional path defined by operational excellence and dedication to community service.