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.