Episode 13: In this episode of On Call Off Script, we go behind the scenes with Miami’s first responders and trauma care teams to explore what it truly takes to serve the 305. From coping with tragedy and finding humor in the toughest situations, to building trust with patients and their families, our guests share the human side of some of the city’s most demanding roles. Listen as Michael Vega, a public information officer for the City of Miami Police Department, Pete Sanchez, a Lieutenant and Public Information Officer for the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue, and Yina Patino, nurse manager of the Trauma Resuscitation Unit at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, discuss the emotional highs and lows of policing, firefighting, and emergency nursing, and how teamwork, communication, and community make all the difference.

Guest Bios:

Michael Vega

Michael Vega has served the Miami community as a police officer since 1997, bringing nearly three decades of experience to the City of Miami Police Department. He has worked across multiple divisions, including Patrol, Internal Affairs, the Problem-Solving Team (PST), the Motor Unit, and Red-Light Camera enforcement.

Since November 2017, Vega has served as a Public Information Officer, acting as the liaison between the police department and the public. In this role, he leads media relations efforts, communicates critical public safety information, and supports transparency during high-profile and day-to-day incidents.

Throughout his career, Vega has remained committed to strengthening the community’s trust and ensuring the safety of Miami’s residents.

Pete Sánchez

Pete Sánchez is a Lieutenant with the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue, where he has served for 15 years. He has spent six years as the department’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and is a FEMA Master PIO.

Lieutenant Sánchez has led communications during high-profile incidents like the historic Temple Courts Three-Alarm fire, also serving as Joint Information Center (JIC) Manager for the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside for three weeks and deploying with Florida Task Force 2 as PIO during Hurricane Irma in Fort Myers. Most recently, he led crisis communications for a major multi-agency incident that drew international media attention lasting over two weeks.

Yina Patino:

Yina Esmeralda Patino, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC is the Nurse Manager of the Trauma Resuscitation Unit at Ryder Trauma Center nat Jackson Memorial Hospital. With over 24 years of nursing experience, primarily in emergency services, she has dedicated her career to delivering high-quality, lifesaving care to critically injured patients.

As Nurse Manager, Yina leads a highly skilled multidisciplinary team in one of the busiest trauma centers in Miami-Dade County. She is committed to elevating trauma care standards, strengthening team performance, and ensuring exceptional patient outcomes for both residents and visitors who depend on Ryder Trauma Center during their most critical moments. Through her leadership within at Jackson, she continues to promote a culture of excellence, compassion, and clinical expertise.

Episode 12: It’s hard to imagine vomiting worse than it already is. The symptom of ‘scromiting’, or screaming and vomiting, is sending people to the emergency room in South Florida.

Jeffrey Bernstein, MD, director of Florida Poison Control Center Miami, talks about the real medical condition behind scromiting, called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Caused by excessive marijuana use, Dr. Bernstein explains why CHS cases are increasing, and how cannabis can cause painful side effects.

As the only toxicologist covering six counties across South Florida, Dr. Bernstein is well-experienced in the poisonings that are unique to this community and talks through what he sees on a daily basis – from mercury poisoning to coral rock poisoning, and more. The conversation covers the importance of education, marked by eye-opening situations that are only seen at Florida Poison Control Center Miami.

Guest Information & Bio

Jeffrey Bernstein, MD, is the medical director of Florida Poison Control Center Miami, housed at Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Bernstein is the only toxicologist for six counties with decades of experience in emergency medicine and poisonings. He’s closely involved in poison control education, and oversees thousands of poison-related calls each year across South Florida.

Episode 11: You’d never guess that some of your favorite everyday activities are on our experts’ personal no-fly list. In this eye-opening conversation, Vincente Nelson, MD, a trauma surgeon at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial and Timothy Tan, MD, chief of emergency medicine at Jackson Memorial Medical Center shares the habits, hobbies, and Miami-style behaviors that most often land people in the emergency room or Ryder Trauma.

From e-scooters and motorcycles, to water sports, cosmetic surgery gone wrong, viral trends, and vaping, these doctors share firsthand stories from the front lines of medicine—and why they personally say “never will I ever.”

This isn’t about living in fear. It’s about knowing the risks, making smarter choices, and understanding what doctors really see after the sirens stop.

Guest Info & Bio:

Vincente Nelson

Vincente Nelson is the director of the Army Forward Surgical Team Training Center, and a trauma surgeon with Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He also serves as a Lieutenant Colonel for the United States Army. His experience on the front-lines of medicine shape his perspective to conversations about risk, responsibility and living life without fear.

Timothy Tan

Timothy Tan is the chief of emergency medicine for Jackson Memorial Medical Center. He oversees one of the busiest emergency rooms in the country from a calm, clear, and experienced approach. Dr. Tan is passionate about medical education, especially when it can potentially help keep patients out of an emergency situation.