WEMS Names New Deputy Chief

UMassMemorial/Worcester EMS officially named Monday Night Group Shift Captain Michael Hunter as the service's new Deputy Chief.
DC Hunter was named to the post late last month and replaces former DC Ed Ramstrom, who has decided to go back on the road as a street medic after nearly six years as deputy.
With an EMS career that has spanned 26 years, the last 16 at WEMS, DC Hunter brings to the table a strong commitment to professionalism and patient care.
A North Brookfield native and current Holden resident, where he lives with his wife, April, a nurse practitioner, DC Hunter first became an EMT in 1982 and volunteered for the former North Brookfield Rescue Squad (now North Brookfield EMS) and the town fire department for a dozen years.
He completed paramedic training in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1983, and by 1984 was a nationally registered paramedic working at a non-transport service covering 10 towns out of Marlboro Hospital.
That service shut down in 1989 and DC Hunter went on to serve as the ALS coordinator for the original Marlboro-Hudson Ambulance and its successor after a merger with Ruggerio.
In 1992, DC Hunter was among the first group of medics hired by WEMS after it became part of UMassMemorial.
DC Hunter is a strong proponent of the Prehospital Trauma Life Support program and a member of its Executive Council, teaching at numerous conferences here and abroad, including his recent trip as part of the first PHTLS course taught in Muscat, Oman.
In an email exchange with Central Mass Medics, DC Hunter elaborated on the personal philosophy he intends to bring to his new position, and the future challenges he sees facing EMS as a whole.

CMM: What principles guide you, both as a medic and now as Deputy Chief?

MH: I always try to remember a few key phrases at work and in my personal life. One, loyalty above all else, except honor. Two, lead from the front and, finally, three, actions speak louder than words.

CMM: It might be a bit cliche to say it, but EMS seems to be at a crossroads today. It seems like the industry -- for years in the shadow of more-established brethren like the police and fire services -- is on the cusp of something, but it's hard to tell whether that something is a leap forward or backward. What do you see as some of the challenges facing our profession?

MH: At a national level -- and locally -- recognition is a huge problem. With recognition comes respect. We need to continually build positive relationships with the media, political leaders and the medical community. We need to become involved in committee work at the local, state and national levels. We are the experts in our field, and our opinions and thoughts need to be heard by the ones making global healthcare decisions. We also have a duty to educate the public and we need to advocate for public health. There are many places where our voices will lend credibility and depth to healthcare issues. Seatbelt use, car seat compliance, bicycle helmets, stroke and cardiac disease awareness, elder care and referral to services are just a few examples of worthwhile causes. Through our involvement in these issues will come recognition and respect.
We are also a young profession and our leaders are still developing. We all need to remind ourselves to look backward and help bring the new group of providers along. The newest members of our profession should not have to make the same mistakes we did. It's not a rite of passage. I think we all should also remember that involvement in medicine, especially in a young profession like EMS, is a dynamic process. We must all be "life-long learners." Too often we find ourselves basing decisions and actions solely on tradition. We must all be willing and eager to learn new technologies, theories and ways of working smarter. If we don't, we're doomed to make the same mistakes of those before us. Tradition and folklore have a place in the EMS society, but must be kept in perspective and we must not be rigid in our resistance to change.

CMM: Deputy Chief is a demanding position, especially at a service as busy as WEMS. How will you approach your new duties?

MH: I feel that four principals are paramount for my new position, and I try to adhere to them with every decision and action.
One, leadership. Leaders choose to lead. They must understand the consequences of their decisions and accept the responsibility of their failures, and successes. Leaders also lead from the front.
Two, respect. We should treat everyone as we would expect them to treat us. This holds true at many levels -- patients, peers, supervisors, subordinates and the general public. Putting on a uniform implies a position of authority, and with that comes the responsibility to act accordingly.
Three, communication. It is much easier to lead if everyone knows the direction we're going. The goals and expectations of a project or action need to be understood by everyone involved. Communication involves at least two parties, and the best ideas don't always come from the top down. It is important to remember that you cannot listen if you're constantly speaking.
Four, evaluate. We should always step back and evaluate every decision we make or action we take. This goes to life-long learning. Is there a better or smarter way or doing what I just did? Was my action in the best interest of my patient, partner and service? It goes to what Einstein said about insanity -- that doing the same thing twice but expecting a different result is a sign of insanity. Older medical professionals embrace mortality and morbidity rounds as learning experiences. EMS tends to embrace defending our own actions, even when they are proven to be less than correct -- or even deleterious -- to ourselves, patients and reputations as healthcare providers.
The medics, physicians and communication specialists of WEMS are a great and diverse group of individuals. They each bring unique strengths, backgrounds and experiences to the table. One of the strongest bonds the members of WEMS share is the desire to be the best and provide the highest possible level of care and service to the population we serve.
It is an honor to have been chosen as Deputy Chief and I'm looking forward to learning and growing into this position. WEMS is a great place. I'm very happy to be here and will do the best I can to keep it a great place.