Karen Mulitalo - Physician Assistant Studies
Karen is a graduate of the University of Utah, where she completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies. She has a strong interest in underserved populations and increasing their access to healthcare. Currently, Karen is researching how emotional intelligence may protect against burnout.
A native of Utah, Karen grew up in Bountiful and has always been passionate about working with underserved communities. She has extensive experience in PA education across various states and even spent some time living in Australia. Karen returned to Utah in 2014 and enjoys spending time with her family, especially her four special nieces. She loves art and painting with acrylics, and she has a keen interest in traveling and learning about different cultures.
Karen is most proud of her family and supporting them through their accomplishments. She also takes great pride in contributing to the professional development of PA graduates throughout her career.
Rick Howard - Emergency Services
Rick is a proud graduate of UVU's first RN program in 1990 and later earned his bachelor's degree in the Emergency Services program in 2007. He retired from the Lehi Fire Department as a Battalion Chief after 35 years of dedicated service and also retired from Intermountain Healthcare, where he worked in the ER at LDS Hospital for 27 years.
Born in Southern California, Rick moved to Hawaii at 15 and then to Utah at 17, where he graduated from Orem High. He now resides in Lehi with his wife, Susan, who taught 3rd grade for 32 years and is fondly remembered by her former students. They have four wonderful children and 12 even more wonderful grandchildren. Rick and Susan enjoy spending time on any lake, especially Lake Powell, and love to travel, having visited destinations all over the world, including Antarctica. Rick finds the greatest joy in witnessing his students' "Ah ha" moments and seeing them progress in their chosen medical fields.
Kevin McCarthy - Emergency Services
Kevin became a paramedic in 1997 after graduating with honors from Weber State University and received his Master's in Public Administration from BYU in 2011. He had a remarkable 25-year public safety career before joining UVU as a full-time faculty member in 2015. At UVU, Kevin has served in various roles, including part-time EMS faculty member, tenure-track faculty in Emergency Services, Didactic Coordinator for the Paramedic Program, EMS Program Director, and Department Chair. Interestingly, Kevin's first position with UVU (then UVCC) was in 1991 as a part-time police officer while working full-time for Provo City before transferring to the fire department.
Many who work with Kevin know he is driven, but his wife and four daughters will attest to his soft side, especially around his two granddaughters. Kevin has been married to his wife, Melinda, for 34 years. They live in Spanish Fork and enjoy traveling together and attending concerts, with Billy Joel being Kevin's favorite. He also enjoys taking his dog, Finnegan, for walks or drives after work, and Finnegan is a regular crasher of Teams meetings.
Kevin's love for EMS began at age 16 as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT in Fairfax County, VA. During an ambulance shift in January of his senior year of high school, he delivered a baby at the age of 18. As a corporal in the US Marine Corps, Kevin had the unique privilege of serving on the Presidential Security detail for Marine One while President Ronald Reagan was in office. These experiences sparked his passion for a career in public service.
Sabine Berlin - Director of Healthcare Curriculum, Accreditation, and Assessment
Sabine is a proud alumna of Utah Valley University (UVU), holding a BA in History, a Certificate in Editing and Document Design, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership. With 12 years of dedicated service at UVU, Sabine has made significant contributions in the curriculum and assessment offices and now in the College of Health and Public Service (CHPS). She also shares her expertise as an adjunct instructor, currently teaching NUTR 2020.
Residing in Provo, Sabine is happily married to Dustin and is a proud mother of three. She is an avid writer with two published books, a third on the way next year, and a fourth under contract. Sabine's love for reading spans all genres, often indulging in audiobooks due to her busy schedule. Her guilty pleasures include watching K-dramas and enjoying Maverick's Triangle Glazed Donuts.
Sabine takes immense pride in her family. Her husband, Dustin, pursued his dream and is now a professional pilot. Her eldest child is in graduate school at the University of Utah after earninga degree from UVU, while her other two children are currently studying at UVU. Sabine cherishes her role in CHPS, working alongside incredible mentors, co-workers, faculty, and students. She truly believes this is the College of Heroes and feels honored to be a part of it.
Meagan McKell - Emergency Services
Meagan graduated from UVU in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Communications and is currently pursuing a Master of Professional Communication at Weber State University. She has been part of the UVU community since 2015, working in both student and staff positions part-time, and has been a full-time member of the Emergency Services department since 2022.
Originally from Orem, Utah, Meagan recently purchased her first home in Mapleton, Utah. She enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and traveling. Meagan also loves being an aunt to her 9 nieces and nephews and cherishes spending time with her family.
Kent Huntsman - Criminal Justice
Lt. Kent Huntsman graduated in the first session of the UVU Police Academy and is one of the academy’s lead instructors. He has served with the Provo Police Department for 28 years and has taught at UVU for 26 years. Lt. Huntsman instructs Patrol Concepts, Patrol Tactics, and Firearms.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he has served on the Metro SWAT Team for 21 years, the Provo Firearms Team for 15 years, and the Motors Team for 10 years. His additional assignments include Field Training Officer (FTO), Detectives, Officer‑Involved Critical Incident (OICI), the Special Victims Unit (SVU), and the Patrol Division.
Lt. Huntsman currently serves in the Office of Professional Standards and Training within the Operational Support Division of the Provo Police Department.
