2024 Annual Conference: EMS

Friday, October 18th, 8:00 - 11:30 am | Morning Session

Brave Leadership: Pioneering Wellness in the Fire Service
Panel of MN Chiefs implementing wellness programs & Margaret Gavian, PhD, LP 

Session Description
This workshop will offer leaders a practical and insightful journey into enhancing department wellness. This workshop showcases the strategies of chiefs who’ve effectively integrated mental and physical wellness into their leadership, promoting resilience and support within their teams. It’s a gathering for chiefs ready to lead with care and commitment to their department’s well-being. Join us to share in the collective wisdom and take meaningful steps towards positive change in your department.

Margaret Gavian, PhD, LP 

Dr. Margaret Gavian is a Licensed Psychologist in Minnesota, with a PhD from the University of Minnesota, specializing in resilience and stress management. As the founder and director of the PAR360 Resilience program, she is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of firefighters through proven, practical wellness initiatives.

Dr. Gavian combines over 20 years of experience in high-stress environments with her background as a trained firefighter and EMT to deliver strategies that are both effective and specifically tailored for first responders. Her work spans globally and locally, from supporting the FDNY post-9/11 to training Capitol Police following the events of January 2021, showcasing her ability to manage extreme stress situations pertinent to first responder communities.

Her leadership extends into designing comprehensive care models for health systems and serving in various leadership roles that directly impact the first responder community in Minnesota. Dr. Gavian is also an active faculty member at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, where she contributes to building resilience in communities affected by stress and trauma worldwide.

Notably, her approach is not only academic but deeply practical and compassionate, focusing on coping mechanisms, peer support, and culturally competent care for firefighters. Dr. Gavian’s engagement in the Psychedelic Medicine Task Force highlights her commitment to exploring innovative treatments for trauma. Outside her professional life, she enjoys traveling, exploring cultural events in Minneapolis, and spending quality time with her two sons.