NRP, CEO
Welcome to Idaho Medical Academy! I am a paramedic with over 20 years of experience in both fieldwork and education. My background includes serving as a volunteer firefighter and holding multiple roles at Ada County Paramedics, such as Field Training Officer (FTO) and instructor for CPR, ACLS, and PALS through the American Heart Association (AHA). I am also a National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) instructor and a member of the Haz-Med Paramedic team, the Special Operations Team (SOT) for backcountry rescue, and the Tactical Medicine Teams (Tac-Med) for SWAT operations. Additionally, I am the CEO and owner of Idaho Medical Academy, Shoshin Education Solutions, and Summit Medical Academy. What I love about being in education is igniting the curiosity for learning by empowering individuals to navigate their own path to success rather than simply following someone else’s path.
Bestest Boy
W00F
AHA Director, Lead BLS Instructor
NRP, Director of EMS Education
Hi! My name is Chris Herman and I am the Director of EMS Education here at IMA. I started my EMS career as a basic EMT in 2011. I graduated paramedic school in the summer of 2015. That fall I got hired at Ada County Paramedics where I still work as a field paramedic. I started my teaching career in 2017 as a skills instructor, shortly after taking over lead instructor duties. Earlier this year I stepped into my current role. I truly love teaching, and being a mentor to the students I teach. Outside of work most of my time is spent with my wife and two kids. I also love to mountain bike and ride motorcycles.
NRP, Boise EMS Director
My name is Wade Canon. I grew up in Meridian, ID before attending Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University) where I played soccer for the school. I like being outdoors hunting/fishing, going to the gym, making jewelry, and spending time with my wife. I am the Assistant EMS Director for IMA and have been teaching here for over a year. Prior to IMA I was with Ada County Paramedics for a total of 4 years (1 year volunteer, 3 years a paid paramedics). I decided to go to paramedic school after deciding I didn’t want to be physical therapist which is what I was getting my Bachelor’s degree for. I ended up at Idaho State University where I went through their Paramedicine program. I truly enjoy being at IMA as the culture and personnel are amongst the best I’ve ever been a part of. I enjoy teaching and being in a learning environment, and I especially enjoy watching as students grasp subjects.
AEMT, EMT Lead Skills Instructor
Hi! I’m Charissa and I am the lead skills instructor here at Idaho Medical Academy. I run both the EMT-B and AEMT skills weeks and truly enjoy teaching! I have my bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho in psychology with an emphasis on trauma and post traumatic stress disorder. I spent most of my early career in clinical research, coordinating research studies for pharmaceutical companies and in lead administration roles. In early 2023 I wanted to take my skills into broader patient care and made the jump to EMS by completing my EMT-B class here at IMA. I quickly moved on to earn my AEMT certification and have been teaching at IMA since March of 2024. I am also a reservist with Ada County Paramedics; I love that I am constantly learning through ACP and by teaching at IMA.
Fun facts about me: I am fluent in German, I’m a huge Formula 1 fan, and I love puzzles.
NRP, EMT Instructor
Hi everyone! My name is Aleks Slicner and I am a Lead EMS Instructor at IMA. I have been in EMS since 2019 and currently am a Paramedic. I’ve worked all over the country, I volunteered at a Rescue Squad in South Plainfield, NJ, I vounteered at Embry Riddle EMS in Daytona Beach, FL where I was an EMT/FTO and taught an EMR course through the university while I was working on my Mechanical Engineering Degree. I decided not to continue with Engineering and worked for Volusia County EMS (our county served the area where the Daytona Speedway is, where the Daytona 500 is held!), where I was a Lead EMT and then eventually promoted to Lead Paramedic. I moved out to Boise in 2024 and worked for Canyon County Paramedics until March of 2025 where I was offered a full time position teaching at IMA! When I am not teaching I enjoy exploring the great outdoors with my beagle Peaches, woodworking, or tinkering with computers. I look forward to seeing you guys in class!
NRP, ACLS/PALS Coordinator, EMT Instructor, Online Grader
Hey y’all! My name is Tim Kelly, and I’m a lead EMS instructor here at IMA. I’m an originally from Houston, Texas. My husband, Taylor, and I moved to the Boise area in early 2025.
I’ve been an EMT for 10 years and a paramedic for 8 of those years. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in various branches of EMS, but I started my educational journey about 2 years ago. At IMA, I’m the ACLS and PALS Coordinator. On days when I’m not at the office, I handle online grading. You can often find me in random EMT classes or labs, or at AHA classes taught at IMA.
At home, I have three furry children: Fiona, my 16-year-old doggo; Potato, my 15-year-old kitty; and Molasses, a kitty of unknown age that we adopted.
I’m also an avid plant lover and have a large greenhouse-type garden with over 60 plants that I adore. I love lots of outdoor activities like skiing Bogus and biking the Green Belt
We at IMA (myself included) are excited to help you on your medical journey!
EMT, EMT Lead Skills Instructor
Since 2019, I’ve embarked on a fulfilling career journey, initially as a Firefighter/EMT fresh out of high school. Since then, I’ve earned EMT certifications in both WA and OR. I’ve gained diverse experience with AMR, first responder deployments, and working as an event medical provider. Presently, I work as a Medical Assistant at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, OR. I discovered my love for teaching as an EMT instructor with IMA, blending my passion for medicine with education. Off-duty, I cherish moments with my son, kayaking adventures, and eagerly pursuing further education in the medical field.
EMT-A, EMT Instructor
Hi, my name is Yanire Connor and I am a lead EMS instructor here at IMA. As an EMT-A, I have worked in both a clinical setting as a medical assistant and for a 911 EMS agency, totaling 7 years in healthcare. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and triple minored in Chemistry, Biology, and Spanish at Boise State University. I have been working at IMA for the last three years, dabbling in a variety of jobs such as skills instructor and now lead EMS instructor. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing students come full circle: from the classroom environment to seeing them in the field. Outside of work, I enjoy being outside, whether it be hiking, biking on the greenbelt, reading in the mountains, or backpacking. I am a nerd when it comes to science, Formula 1 racing, and most recently, Pokémon. I look forward to meeting you and assisting you in your medical journey.
Healthcare Director, Clinical Coordinator
Hello! My name is Samantha. I started in EMS/Healthcare in 2015 when I went through EMT-Basic and EMT-Advanced programs. After a short time in EMS, I decided to make the switch to healthcare. After becoming a certified phlebotomist, I started at Grifols Biomat. Then I worked at St. Luke’s for several years until I became an instructor here, at Idaho Medical Academy. My time outside of work is spent with my husband and 2 daughters, and my baby dog Nellie. As an Idaho native, I love to be outdoors swimming, fishing, camping, paddleboarding, kayaking, etc. I also love to cook, I love to travel, and I love a cozy blanket and a good book/show. I have been an instructor in this field for nearly 10 years, and I am passionate about the education my students receive. I love to see confidence gained and skills strengthened as students go through our programs. I am very excited to be part of the amazing IMA team, and I look forward to sharing my experience with you!
Medical Assistant Director
Hi, I’m Dusty! I teach future medical assistants and love helping students build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in healthcare. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion from Weber State University and have a background in both mental health and healthcare education.
I’m passionate about patient care, nutrition, and making healthcare feel less overwhelming for both patients and providers. When I’m not teaching, you’ll probably find me knitting (it’s my favorite way to relax and create something cozy).
My creativity, curiosity, and love for helping others all come together in the classroom, where I strive to make learning engaging, practical, and meaningful for every student.
Medical Assistant Instructor
Hello, you can call me Miss J!
I am the instructor for the Medical Assistant program here at Idaho Medical Academy. I also currently work in Skin Surgery for a wonderful skin surgeon here in Boise. I have been an RMA for longer than a decade now and am truly thankful to be a part of IMA. When I am not with patients or students you can find me with my three beautiful kids on an adventure, either in the great outdoors or just a quick getaway exploring a new town. We are always up for a new adventure and embracing new experiences! Despite having a busy schedule I do make time for volunteer work in my community and have my children alongside me to be able to understand that they are the future and that with a little bit of love and a lot of hard work, anyone can truly make a difference!
Phlebotomy Instructor
I’m Steve, a dedicated Phlebotomy Instructor with over 20 years of experience in healthcare education. I’m passionate about mentoring students and helping them build a strong foundation in essential clinical skills. I emphasize hands-on learning, patient safety, and compassionate care to ensure students feel confident and prepared for real-world clinical environments.
Outside of the classroom, I’ve been married for 33 years, am a proud father of two, and enjoy spending time with my family including Sadie Mae, our 3-year-old golden retriever.
Marketing Director
Hi! My name is Sabrina and I am the Marketing Director here at IMA, and am part of the admin team as well! I was born and raise in Boise and enjoy everything that comes with living in the area including camping, fishing, backpacking and enjoying the beautiful mountains that surround us with my boyfriend London and dog, Cooper! Some of the things that my job includes with IMA is content creation and production for our YouTube and other social media outlets, community outreach events such as College and Career fairs and The Hyde Park Street Fair. On a day to day bases I also fill in and help students out in the admin office. While I had an interest in the medical field in college I wasn’t sure the exact path I wanted to take and eventually landed at IMA. I fell in love with the work environment and the job and I can’t wait for you to see how amazing this school is as well!
Administrative Director
Hey everyone! My name is Cameron and I’m the Administrative Director for IMA. I finished up my pre-med studies in Neuroscience back in 2020 and decided to pursue healthcare administration through a couple jobs before coming onboard with IMA back in the beginning of 2022 and have had a blast ever since! I grew up in the great state of Idaho and always had a love for the outdoors. I love the time I get to go hiking, snowboarding, boating, and swimming. I’m so grateful to share this amazing life with my wife and 2 boys. I look forward to seeing you around school and helping you out with whatever you need!
Front Desk Admin
Hi! My name is Hannah, and I serve as the Front Desk Administrator at IMA. I support registrations and handle general inquiries, and I genuinely enjoy connecting with people and helping in any way I can. I take pride in creating a welcoming, positive experience for everyone who visits or reaches out to IMA.
If I don’t have an answer right away, I’m always happy to find one. I enjoy supporting both students and the team by helping ensure daily operations run smoothly, and I’m grateful to be part of the IMA community. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and relaxing with my cat, Milo.
