Loma Linda University Medical Center emergency department began its first emergency medical services (EMS) fellowship on July 1. This is only the second EMS fellowship in California, and the 33rd in the nation, focusing on pre-hospital care from the logistics of resource deployment to the delivery of medical attention in the field.

Jeff Grange, M.D., director of emergency medical services for LLUMC, oversees the progress of David Reiley, M.D., emergency medical services fellow.

Reiley, who finished his undergraduate degree and medical degree at the University of Arizona, completed his three-year residency program in emergency medicine in June as chief resident at LLUMC. He began the year-long fellowship July 1.

“I like the challenge and reward of seeing sick patients and making a difference for them,” says Reiley. He says he likes emergency medicine because it puts him on the “frontlines” of patient care. EMS is a natural extension of that drive to be the first to help.

Reiley will be an attending physician at the Medical Center’s emergency department doing shifts to complete the clinical hour requirements for the fellowship, along with conducting research, training and pre-hospital care planning.

Reiley will specialize in pre-hospital medical care not only in general but with an emphasis on special events and in the air environment. The program will collaborate with San Bernardino County Sheriffs Air Rescue Team, California Speedway and local fire and EMS agencies.

Reiley will actively participate with the Sheriffs Air Rescue Team as their assistant medical director. He will also be an assistant medical director at the California Speedway and learn how to provide medical support for large events such as the NASCAR Nextel Cup races and Indy Racing League races, among others hosted at the California Speedway. Reiley will also be participating in some international EMS projects, such as providing medical support for the Baja 1000 and other races.

“There are so many opportunities available here in EMS,” says Reiley. “It’s an exciting year to be doing this.”