Colorado State Archives

Executive Orders from the Administration of Governor Bill Owens 1999-2005

OWENS APPOINTS 25 NEW MEMBERS TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND TRAUMA SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL

DENVER – Governor Bill Owens has appointed 25 new members to the State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council, which advises the Department of Public Health on all matters related to emergency medical and trauma service programs.

Earl James Steinhoff of Lamar was appointed to serve as an administrative representative of a rural trauma center. Steinhoff is chief executive officer for Quorum Health Resources, Inc. at Prowers Medical Center in Lamar. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska and his master’s degree in hospital and health administration from the University of Iowa. Steinhoff is also a licensed Colorado registered nurse.

Delwin Michael Hunt, M.D., of Littleton was appointed to serve as a licensed physician who is a pre-hospital medical director. He is an emergency physician at Care Point in Aurora. Hunt received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado College and his doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is a member of the National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians and the Colorado Medical Society.

Kathy "Lynn" Stevens, R.N., of Rye was appointed to serve as a flight nurse on an emergency medical service air team unit. She is a nurse with Flight for Life at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. Stevens received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Colorado and her paramedic certification from St. Francis Hospital. Stevens is a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for the fire department in Rye, Colo., and is also an emergency medical services educator.

Pam L. Gripp of Crestone was appointed to serve as an officer or crew member of a volunteer organization who provides pre-hospital care. She is an ambulance service administrator for Baca Grande Property Association. Gripp received her paramedic certification through Park View Medical Center in Pueblo.

Robert F. Anderson of Granby was appointed to serve as a county commissioner from a rural county. He had been the grand county commissioner of Granby for eight years. Anderson has served on the Granby Fire Department for 22 years. He is a member of the Granby Rotary Club.

David C. Deaver III., M.D., of Durango was appointed to serve as a board-certified surgeon providing trauma care at a Level III trauma center. He is a general surgeon with Southwest Surgical Associates in Durango. Deaver received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Denver and his doctorate from Creighton University School of Medicine in Nebraska.

John B. Woodland, M.D., of Vail was appointed to serve as a regional council chair. He is medical director for Vail Valley Medical Center. Woodland received his bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Michigan and his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. He is a member of the Colorado Medical Society and the National Ski Patrol Board of Medical Advisors.

Chuck E. Vale of Vail was appointed to serve as a county emergency manager. He is the emergency manager for Routt County. Vale received his emergency medical technician and firefighter certification from Colorado Mountain College. He is a member of the Colorado Emergency Managers Association and the National Fire Protection Association.

Daniel J. Noonan of Durango was appointed to serve as a fire chief of a service that provides pre-hospital care in a rural area. He is fire chief of the Hermosa Cliff Fire Department in Durango. Noonan is a certified emergency medical technician and firefighter and has received training from the National Fire Academy in Maryland and the Colorado Fire Fighters Academy in Durango.

Francis M. Raley, M.D., of Placerville was appointed to serve as a board-certified physician. He is a physician at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. Raley received his bachelor’s degree in mineral and mining engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and his doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is the chair of the State Trauma Advisory Council.

Sean Martin Caffrey of Frisco was appointed to serve as an officer or employee of a public provider of pre-hospital care. He is the ambulance director for Summit County Ambulance Service in Frisco. Caffrey received his bachelor’s degree in emergency medical service administration from George Washington University and his master’s degree in business from the University of Denver. He is a volunteer firefighter and paramedic with the Snake River Fire Protection District in Frisco.

Tracy Ann Thomas of Colorado Springs was appointed to serve as an officer or an employee of a public provider of pre-hopital care. She is a paramedic and emergency medical services educator with American Medical Response in Colorado Springs. Thomas received her paramedic certification from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She is a member of the National Association of Emergency Medical Services Instructors.

Vincent Towers of Loveland was appointed to serve as a representative of a government provider of pre-hospital care. He is the chief of Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services. Towers received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Lemogue College in Syracuse, New York. He is chair of the Larimer County Emergency Medical Services Council.

Mark Joseph Ritz of Trinidad was appointed to serve as county commissioner of a rural county. He is a paramedic and the Trinidad county commissioner. Ritz received his associate’s degree in medicine and law enforcement from Trinidad State Junior College. He received his paramedic certification from St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver.

Wade Russell Smith, M.D., of Denver was appointed to serve as a board-certified surgeon providing trauma care at a Level I trauma center. He is a physician at Denver Health Medical Center. Smith received his bachelor’s degree in biology and his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with experience in trauma systems.

Lori E. McDonald, R.N., of Ft. Collins was appointed to serve as a trauma nurse coordinator. She is the trauma coordinator for Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado and her registered nursing certification from West Nebraska General Hospital School of Nursing. McDonald is the vice chair of the Colorado Trauma Network and is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association and the American Trauma Society.

D. Randy Kuykendall of Colorado Springs was appointed to serve as a member of the general public from an urban area. He is the emergency medical services director at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo. Kuykendall received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from New Mexico State University and his paramedic certification from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque. He is a former volunteer firefighter and paramedic.

Ira Jerome Rhodes of Denver was appointed to serve as a fire chief of a service that provides pre-hospital care in an urban area. He is fire chief of the Cunningham Fire Department in Denver. Rhodes is president of the Denver Metro Fire Chiefs Association.

Mary M. White of Englewood was appointed to serve as an administrative representative of an urban trauma center. She is president and chief executive officer of Swedish Medical Center in Englewood. White received her bachelor’s degree from Juniata College in Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in public health from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a member of the American Society for Hospital Planning and Marketing and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

F. Keith Battan, M.D., of Arvada was appointed to serve as a board-certified physician certified in pediatrics or a pediatric subspecialty. He is an emergency pediatrician at Children’s Hospital in Denver. Battan received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Denver and his doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is the vice chair for the State Trauma Advisory Council.

Walter Michael Maxwell of Parker was appointed to serve as a county commissioner from an urban county. He serves as Douglas County commissioner. Maxwell is a member of the University Center at Chaparral Steering Committee and he is also the vice chair of the General Government Steering Committee for Colorado Counties.

W. George Shanks, M.D., of Grand Junction was appointed to serve as a board-certified physician providing trauma care at a Level II trauma center. He is a general surgeon in private practice. Shanks received his bachelor’s degree and his doctorate from LaSalle College in Philadelphia. He is a member of the Western Slope Trauma Surgeons and the Colorado Medical Society.

John Stephan Nichols, M.D., of Denver was appointed to serve as a board-certified neurosurgeon involved in providing trauma care at a Level I or II trauma center. He is a physician at Centura Health in Denver. Nichols received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Austin College and his doctorate from Southwestern Medical School in Texas. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American Medical Association.

Tonda L. Scott, R.N., of Burlington was appointed to serve as a registered nurse involved in rural emergency medical and trauma services care. She is the trauma nurse coordinator for Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. Scott received her registered nurse certification from Asbury Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas. She is the volunteer Kit Carson County emergency medical services secretary.

A. Daniel Barela of Delta was appointed to serve as a member of the general public from a rural area. He is a paramedic and ambulance district manager for Delta County Memorial Hospital. Barela received his associate’s degree in math and science from Colorado Mountain College. He served as chairman on the Delta County emergency medical services Council for 10 years and also taught emergency medical services classes for more than 20 years.

Senate Bill 180 consolidated the Advisory Emergency Medical Services Council and the State Trauma Advisory Council into the State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council. The council advises the Department of Public Health and Environment on all matters relating to emergency medical and trauma service programs.

The council’s duties include developing curricula for training emergency medical personnel, establishing requirements for ambulance vehicles and services, and determining the eligibility of facilities to receive trauma center designation. There are 32 members that serve on the council, and the governor appoints 25. The council does not require Senate confirmation. Members serve three-year terms.

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