DARLINGTON — Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC) announces that it has hired the county’s first EMS Director to lead the newly formed county-based Emergency Medical Service Division. Mr. Shawn M. Phillips currently resides in Lancaster and will be relocating to Lafayette County with his wife and begin working in Darlington by mid-March.
Phillips comes to Lafayette County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) with many years of experience, outstanding qualifications, and recommendations from those he’s worked with at his current Paramedic positions with Dells-Delton, Sun Prairie and Southwest Health EMS, where he is also a Critical Care Paramedic. His impressive list of credentials includes National Rural EMT Paramedic, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Swift Water, Hazmat and Confined Space Rescue Technician certifications.
In his new role, Shawn will report directly to MHLC’s Emergency Department Medical Director and CEO, Kathy Kuepers. He will provide oversight, expertise, and leadership to ensure delivery of quality emergency medical services, provide essential input on standard operating procedures for the new service, training curriculums, and protocols for Emergency Medical Services staff.
“We could not be more thrilled to have Shawn join us in leading this new division,” said Kuepers. “He is a well-established clinician who understands the complexities of caring for patients who rely on EMS to care for them when necessary, and he demonstrates the ability to address immediate needs of an agency while preparing for long-term opportunities, all of which we know to be vitally important for the future of Lafayette County.”
When asked about what it meant to Shawn to be named as the first director of LCEMS he shared, “It is an honor and privilege to be chosen to lead this new organization. I am excited to bring my passion for high quality patient care in rural EMS to Lafayette County. I look forward to working with the community and its EMT’s to bring reliable, high quality, and compassionate care to its citizens and visitors. With my experience in rural, urban, volunteer, and career EMS services, I intend to lead Lafayette County EMS with evidence-based care, new and progressing protocols, and a community driven approach.”
Kuepers also shared that one of the many factors in the decision to offer Phillips the Director position is that he has a vast knowledge of practices and programs that promote collaboration and cooperation between agencies in rural settings, both locally and nationally.
Once Shawn arrives for duty, he will immediately begin his work in building relationships with the selfless EMS staff who have dedicated themselves to emergency medical services in the County. He will also reach out to municipality EMS leaders to establish renewed and innovative collaboration opportunities for community benefit.
Kuepers also shared, “After spending time with Shawn and learning about his passion for his work, his deep commitment to community, and hearing from those he’s served with, I believe the residents of Lafayette County and the team he’ll lead will quickly understand why he is the exact right person for the job.”
More information about Lafayette County EMS, Shawn, and opportunities to join the division will be featured in the upcoming spring edition of the MHLC community newsletter, “Living Healthier Lafayette County.”