Northwest Health Appoints Michael Okray as New Director of Emergency Medical Services

Northwest Health has named Michael Okray as the new director of Northwest Health Emergency Medical Services. A licensed paramedic who has served as a first responder with Northwest Health for the past 30 years, Okray is deeply respected within the EMS and healthcare communities.

“Michael brings a deep understanding of emergency medical services and a long-standing commitment to patient care,” said Dan Doherty, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Health – Porter. “His leadership, experience and dedication to continuous improvement make him the right choice to guide our EMS team into the future.”

During his accomplished career as a leader in EMS, Okray has earned recognition for advancing outcome-focused policies, prioritizing patient-centered care, and fostering a culture of accountability – efforts that have broadened services, and enhanced overall care quality.

Since 1996, Okray has served as a paramedic and a captain at Northwest Health EMS, where he directed the daily operations of EMS teams, led fleet management initiatives, collaborated with executive leadership to expand services, and mentored colleagues in leadership-building programs. His key accomplishments include reducing fleet maintenance costs by 40% while improving safety and operational reliability, as well as directing organizational improvements to streamline workflows and optimize resources. 

“Michael has a proven ability to work closely with leadership, partner agencies and community stakeholders,” Doherty said. “That collaborative approach will be key as we continue to strengthen EMS services across Porter County, and we look forward to the leadership that he will bring to this critical role in the county.”

On Dec. 31, 2025, Porter County awarded Northwest Health Emergency Medical Services a new five-year contract to provide its 911 and ambulance services for many of the county’s townships. Northwest Health responds to more than 8,000 ambulance calls per year.  

About Northwest Health

Northwest Health is a regional healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible health care — from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. Northwest Health – Porter is owned in part by physicians. A compassionate team of caregivers work hard to fulfill its mission to help people get well and live healthier.  For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.