b"PACEP EMS DTP Committee Update: Interviewwith New Commonwealth EMS Medical DirectorBy Chris Berry, MD, FACEPThe PACEP Emergency Medicalan EMT class.I had always wanted Services, Terrorism and Disasterto be a doctor, and EMS provided Preparedness Committee isme with great networking, a steady income through my college years, excited to introduce long timeand becoming an emergency PACEP member and EMS Physicianphysician was a natural extension Dr. Dan Bledsoe as the newof that pathway.Commonwealth EMS MedicalC What is your background in EMS/Director. Dr. Bledsoe takes theEMS Medical Direction? reins from Dr. Doug Kupas, whoD Well, starting as an EMT in 1991, I provided 22 years of service tohad the privilege of volunteering Chris Berry, MD, FACEPat Monongalia County (WV) EMS PACEP EMS DTP Committee Co-Chairthe Commonwealths EMS system.in Morgantown, WV.Like many We were excited to sit downEMS agencies in college towns, with Dr. Bledsoe and help thethere were abundant opportunities PACEP membership get to knowfor mentorship and lifelong friendships.When I finished my him better as we look forwardresidency, I was invited to apply to his guidance for EMS in theto join Pennsylvania Task Force Commonwealth for years to come! One, the Commonwealth's FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team.Being part of PA TF-1 provided C So glad we were able to sit downincredible lessons in leadership and disaster medicine and remains and help introduce you to theamong my proudest professional broader PACEP membership, Dan. accomplishments.As my career D Thank you, Chris.Ive had theadvanced, I became involved Dan Bledsoe, MD, MBA, PHP, FACEP pleasure of getting to know many ofas agency medical director for Pennsylvania EMS Medical Director my emergency physician colleaguesorganizations of all shapes and around the Commonwealth andsizes, from a college QRS to a greatly appreciate PACEP givingleading paramedic program, to C Dr. Chris Berryme this chance to introduce myselfmulti-county ALS/BLS/CCT agency.D Dr. Dan Bledsoe as your new Commonwealth EMSC Can you share a favorite memory Medical Director. in EMS? C What was your path intoD I'm not sure they're all fit for print, Emergency Medicine andbut I would have to say that one Emergency Medical Services?night, as I was leaving work from a D As a young man in southern WV,swing shift, there was a very young where I grew up, I joined my localchild being coded in another pod.volunteer fire department and tookInstead of leaving, I wound up in 10 PACEP News | Spring 2023"