By CHRISTIAN WHITTLE
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Dr. Daniel Shepherd will be the next medical director of the Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services Agency, starting Feb. 1.
Dr. Shepherd has extensive experience in Santa Barbara’s local systems, which Van Do-Reynoso, public health director, said will make him an immediate asset to the critical initiatives underway in Santa Barbara’s EMS system, according to a Santa Barbara County news release .
Dr. Shepherd began working at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Emergency Department in 2014, quickly becoming involved in the EMS System, according to the news release. He has served as the medical director for the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, as well as the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
In 2016, Dr. Shepherd began serving as the medical director for the Ventura County EMS Agency. He is one of a small group of physicians who have earned an EMS Subspecialty Board certification from the American Board of Emergency Medicine, according to the press release.
Dr. Shepherd’s career has given him a thorough understanding of the current EMS environment in California, and more specifically, Santa Barbara County, said Nick Clay, EMS Agency director.
Dr. Shepherd began his EMS career as a lifeguard in Ventura, followed by several years working as an emergency medical technician for the UCSB ambulance service. He earned his medical degree from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the UC San Francisco Medical Center.
“(Dr. Shepherd) brings expertise and energy, focusing on evidence-based initiatives and leveraging technology to move the County’s EMS System to the next chapter,” said Mr. Clay.
Current Medical Director Dr. Angelo Salvucci will step down and assume the new role of assistant medical director for the Santa Barbara County EMS Agency, supporting various projects.
email: cwhittle@newspress.com
