Emergency Medical Services announces new medical director

Jean Gordon


Emergency Medical Services announces new medical director

Dr. Kramer. Photo Contributed.

Rutherford County announces Dr. Matthew Kramer has accepted the position of EMS Medical Director to provide medical oversight of emergency medical services within Rutherford County. Dr. Kramer fills the position left vacant on July 1 when Dr. Guy Winker retired. The Medical Director provides oversight of all protocols that govern EMS personnel, fire departments, rescue squad personnel, and 911 telecommunicators. Dr. Kramer will continue his business at Main Street Family Practice while providing oversight services to Rutherford County EMS.

"Our EMS system is blessed to have Dr. Kramer come on board as our Medical Director. He is an excellent physician with strong experience in emergency medicine. We are excited to work together to grow and strengthen our entire emergency medical system, including our community paramedic program and other innovative programs." stated Kerry Giles, EMS Director.

Dr. Matthew Kramer is a board certified, family practitioner with Main Street Family Practice. Dr. Kramer resides in Forest City with his wife and three daughters. He served as a family physician in the United States Air Force for 11 years and continues to serve as a Flight Surgeon at McEntire Joint National Guard Base. He has multiple years as an Emergency Department physician at both Rutherford Regional Medical Center and Sampson Regional Hospital.

County Manager, Steve Garrison also extended his support in this appointment. "The State Office of EMS requires the Medical Director to be a practicing physician with emergency medicine experience. It is often difficult to find a physician in a rural community who is willing to step up and provide this service to their community. We are so grateful that Dr. Kramer is willing to invest in the health of our citizens in Rutherford County."

The medical director reviews emergency calls to ensure proper medical care is provided from the initiation of a 911 call through onsite treatment and transport to a hospital facility. Some of the key tasks performed include ensuring that medical control is available 24 hours a day; establishing and updating all treatment protocols, system orientation and continuing education of all EMS personnel, and medical review of care provided to patients.

Rutherford County's emergency medical system consists of the County's EMS department with 65 trained personnel including Paramedics, Advanced EMT's, and EMT Basics. The system also includes 27 9-1-1 telecommunicators, 12 of the 16 fire departments that function as first responders, and both Hickory Nut Gorge EMS & Rescue and Rutherford County Rescue Crew. For more information on Rutherford County EMS, visit www.rutherfordcountync.gov or find Rutherford County EMS on Facebook.

For addition information contact Kerry Giles at 828.288.4505, kerry.giles@rutherfordcountync.gov