Mark Ewing is the founder, president, and CEO of MedStar Solutions, a company he established to raise the standard of event medical services by bringing in higher-level medical providers and giving them the tools, authority, and opportunities to fully use their skills. His mission from day one has been to deliver exceptional care, specialized services, and highly qualified teams capable of handling everything from routine event coverage to complex emergencies.

Mark’s career began in the fire service, where he rose to the rank of Training Captain in Southern California. His leadership and instructional expertise led to his recruitment by a growing ambulance company in San Diego, where he helped expand operations and advanced to Director of Operations for all of Southern California, overseeing one of the largest privately owned ambulance providers in the region.

With over 30 years of management experience in emergency medical services, Mark has developed training programs for fire service, EMS, and ambulance operations, including online e-learning platforms, HR processes, clinical training, skills assessments, and compliance programs. He has also designed communications systems and educational courses for police, fire, 9-1-1, and other EMS organizations, and holds numerous instructor credentials from FEMA, U.S. DOT, American Heart Association (AHA), American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), and the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE).

Mark earned his Bachelor of Science in Fire Science with a minor in Telecommunications. Earlier in his career, he worked in sports broadcasting with ESPN, NBC, and other networks, filming, producing, and editing sports programming.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time outdoors and performing with his gold medal-winning chorus and barbershop quartet.

Dr. Jonathan Nichol is an Emergency Medicine physician serving Arizona, California, and Utah, known for bringing an exceptional perspective on emergency care that has expanded the scope of medical treatment for MedStar Solutions’ providers. His leadership in the field has opened new opportunities for advanced care and elevated the level of training available to the team. Routinely working alongside MedStar crews, Dr. Nichol provides hands-on patient care while mentoring EMTs and paramedics to sharpen their clinical skills and confidence.

Dr. Nichol earned his medical degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ, graduating in 2016. He completed his residency at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA, where he served as Chief Resident. His passion for medicine began during his undergraduate years, when an EMT course led him to work in an emergency department and inspired his path toward becoming a physician.

Passionate about medical education, Dr. Nichol focuses on improving patient care starting at the first point of contact. He works closely with pre-hospital providers to enhance early interventions, ensuring better outcomes in the field. Beyond his work with MedStar, he is committed to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals, recently opening opportunities for Phoenix-area medical students to gain valuable clinical experience at large-scale events.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Nichol is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He has completed multiple ultra-marathons, paced fellow runners during long-distance races, and transitioned from collegiate road cycling to mountain biking. A lifetime member of the Wilderness Medical Society, he is pursuing a Fellowship of Wilderness Medicine and enjoys hiking, trail running, and exploring new challenges in nature.

Kolby Hadden, NREMT is the Operations Manager for MedStar Solutions. Kolby runs the daily operations and many administrative tasks. Kolby is dedicated to leading our team of medical providers in the field and helps to cultivate a positive culture while inspiring client relationships.

Kolby initially attended Arizona State University in pursuit of a Nursing degree. Halfway through the program; however, he came to the realization that working in the prehospital setting would provide him with more fulfillment, and he enrolled in an EMT program. He began his EMS career in 2019 with MedStar Solutions after completing the EMT training program at Mesa Community College and becoming NREMT certified. With him, he brings impressive skill sets, including technical, leadership, project management, and interpersonal proficiencies that enable him to contribute to the MedStar Solutions mission in manners that extend far beyond providing superior patient care and leadership to his team. As he progresses in his career, he plans to continue his EMS education and expand his skills to include Wilderness Medicine, various Specialty Health Disciplines, and, eventually, advancement to Paramedic licensure.

A natural-born public servant and steward to his community, Kolby has worked in various different industries which allowed him to serve, including Medical & Health Insurance, Information Technology, and Higher Education. He has worked with several volunteer and outreach programs dedicated to our community’s homeless youth and youth in the foster care system, and has begun to take part and represent MedStar Solutions in educational community outreach events. Kolby credits his dedication to serving others to his parents and grandparents who, while raising him, exemplified a sense of duty to others as they practiced in their medical professions.

Hannah Higdon, NRP, serves as the Internal Education Lead for MedStar Solutions, combining her experience in emergency medicine with a passion for developing confident, capable medical providers. Hannah began with MedStar as a paramedic providing event medical coverage and advanced into education leadership through her commitment to teaching and mentorship. Today, she oversees internal training programs focused on strengthening clinical knowledge, expanding provider skills, and preparing MedStar teams for the unique challenges of event medicine.

As an American Heart Association instructor, Hannah teaches BLS, ACLS, and PALS while playing an important role in MedStar’s ongoing clinical education. She provides advanced-level skills training for EMTs, helping providers expand their capabilities and confidently apply those skills in the field. Hannah also develops and leads educational workshops covering a wide range of EMS and patient care topics. Her teaching emphasizes critical thinking, hands-on learning, and making complex medical concepts practical and relevant to real-world care.

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, with a minor in Chemistry, from Northern Arizona University. Early in her EMS career, she worked as an EMT in the emergency department of a Level I Trauma Center, gaining experience caring for critically ill and injured patients. She later advanced to paramedic, building a clinical background spanning emergency department, prehospital, and event medicine. Hannah remains active in patient care, bringing current, real-world experience into the training she provides.

Hannah is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Northern Arizona University, continuing to expand her knowledge in emergency and critical care medicine. Outside of work and school, she enjoys spending time with family, reading fiction novels, and often taking on more projects than she probably has time for.

Matthew Torel, NREMT, has advanced rapidly at MedStar Solutions, building a career that combines frontline EMS experience with a passion for developing people and strengthening organizational systems. He began as an EMT trainee, quickly moved into providing event medical coverage, and was soon promoted to Field Training Officer, where he guided new EMTs in mastering clinical skills, adhering to safety protocols, and upholding MedStar’s high professional standards.

Today, as Human Resources Specialist, Matthew is a driving force behind the company’s talent development. He manages certification tracking, streamlines onboarding, and designs training programs that prepare EMTs for success in both routine event coverage and high-pressure emergency situations. He is committed to creating growth opportunities, enhancing performance standards, and ensuring that every provider on the team is equipped to deliver exceptional care.

A graduate of Arizona State University, Matthew holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Business Administration, along with a minor in Spanish. This unique blend of clinical expertise and business acumen enables him to bridge the gap between patient care and operational leadership. Beyond MedStar, he serves as an instructor in the EMT program at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and as a volunteer team leader in a hospital emergency department, coordinating volunteer teams to support patient care and assist clinical staff in a fast-paced environment.

Matthew’s professional goals align with MedStar’s mission: to continuously raise the bar for event medical services and training. His leadership ensures that both new and experienced EMTs have the skills, confidence, and resources they need to excel.