HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 16- New Medical Director
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Lauryn Grimes, Communications Assistant
Phone 952-826-0348 • lgrimes@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire Department Welcomes to New Medical Director
Edina, Minn., April 16, 2015 – The Edina Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department recently welcomed Dr. Paul
Nystrom as its new Medical Director. Nystrom previously served as the Department’s Associate Medical
Director, an unofficial, learning position. He assumed responsibilities as Medical Director on April 7 after Dr.
Jeff Ho resigned after more than 15 years.
Every ambulance service is mandated by the State to have a medical director who provides control and
direction. Nystrom will guide training and must approve anything the Department does in a pre-hospital setting.
He will also be involved with interviews for new hires and work cooperatively with the Chiefs on potential
position changes or promotions. Most importantly, all paramedics now work under Nystrom’s medical license.
“[Paul] brings a very thorough and diverse background in emergency medicine by working as an emergency
room doctor at a Level I Trauma Center along with working as a physician in the military,” said Assistant Fire
Chief Craig Essig. “He understands the challenges paramedics face and the environments we work in every day.
His dedication to leading-edge technologies, extensive training and commitment to delivering superior medical
care makes him the perfect fit for Edina.”
Nystrom completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and attended medical
school at the University of Iowa. He served four years in the Navy, most of that time as a Dive Medical Officer
stationed with the Navy SEALs and their support personnel. Nystrom completed his residency in Emergency
Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) from 2009 to 2012 and completed his fellowship in
Emergency Medical Services in 2014 during his two years as Associate Medical Director with the Edina Fire
Department.
Nystrom is looking forward to what this new position will bring. “It’s a good group of guys to work with,” he
said. “They are motivated and experienced, so it makes me much more comfortable; they know what they’re
doing.”
In addition to overseeing the medical practices of the Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department, Nystrom also
serves as the liaison for case follow-up with the hospital and represents the Department at the EMS Council.
Dr. Nick Simpson will take Nystrom’s place as Associate Medical Director. Simpson is currently the EMS Fellow
at HCMC and works in the Emergency Department.
For more information, contact the Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department at 952-826-0330.
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