WashU EMS Physicians

06/01/2026

When the medical director volunteers to demo “rapid cooling techniques”… 😅💦

Dr. Mike DeFilippo (WashU EM + EMS Medical Director, Warren County Ambulance District) survived the splash to bring you his top summer safety reminders: wear a helmet, drink water before you’re thirsty, know the signs of heat illness (dizzy, confused, no longer sweating = call 911).

05/26/2026

Christian Hospital EMS gave their crews a full week of EMS Week activities this year!

Low-light airway training on manikins. Surgical airway and wound packing on tissue. Full-team trauma scenarios running out of the ambulance bay.

A big thank-you to WashU EMS Physician and CHEMS Medical Director, Dr. Kroll! She was in the scenarios, hands on the gear, and competing and learning right alongside them. We are proud to have her as part of our group (see if you can spot Dr. Kroll in the video)!

Thank you for sharing EMS Week with us, Dr. Kroll. We are already excited to see what CHEMS comes up with next year!

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, WashU EMS Physicians honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice represents the very best of courage, duty, and selflessness.

We are grateful to the fallen, to their families, and to all who continue to serve in their memory.

05/20/2026

🚨 EM residents at SAEM: come find your people.

The WashU EMS Fellowship crew (Dr. James Li & Dr. Mike DeFilippo) will be at Tables 113 & 114 during the Residency & Fellowship Fair, 3-5 PM. Stop by, grab some swag, and chat with our faculty about why St. Louis is one of the most exciting places in the country to train as an EMS physician.

What sets us apart:
🚑 Some of the most progressive EMS medicine and EMS systems in the US; aggressive prehospital care, broad scope of practice, and real paramedic autonomy under strong medical direction

🚙 Active physician field response, with a take-home response vehicle for fellows so you’re in the field, on scenes, and making real-time decisions

🧯 Disaster and US&R medicine with the St. Louis Metro Task Force

📊 Growing prehospital research portfolio (PEC, NAEMSP, and beyond)

🎓 Fellowship built by people who love teaching paramedics, EMTs, and the next generation of EMS physicians

🏥 Strong clinical home at a top-tier academic department

Whether you’re already EMS-bound or just EMS-curious, come introduce yourself. Bring your questions, and your career goals.

📍 Tables 113 & 114
🕒 3-5 PM
👋 See you there.

05/19/2026

Happy EMS Week from WashU EMS Physicians!!!

Stop by the BJH EMS Bay today from noon until 9 PM-ish for BBQ and a chance to spend some time with our EMS team. Drs. Svancarek, Siegler, and Kroll, along with our EMS Liaison Brody, will be out there throughout the day (we had some fun with AI on the 2nd picture).

We are grateful for the EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, dispatchers, nurses, physicians, and EMS partners who care for our community every day. Come by, grab a plate, and let us say thank you in person.

05/15/2026

Don't miss the May Lecture Series from the University of Massachusetts’ Disaster Medicine and Emergency Management Fellowship Program, in partnership with WADEM affiliate, the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH), and American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) on 19 May, 13:00-15:00 EDT.

Featured Presentations:

"Senior Leader Crisis & Disaster Decision-Making" presented by Dr. Donna Barbisch, Major General (Ret.); NACD Board Fellow; Program Director, American College of National Security Leaders; CEO Wicked Solutions

"Crush Injury, Field Amputation and USAR" presented by Michael DeFilippo, EMS Physician, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Division of Emergency Medical Services, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis

Who can attend? Everyone is welcome!

An American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) account is required to watch the presentation and to claim CME credits. Please note that a paid ACEP membership is NOT required.

How To Enroll:

1. Follow this link (https://learn.acep.org/cw/course-details?entryId=18347795&itemId=785141)

2. If you don't have an ACEP account, create a free one.

3. Click "Launch" below and open the Zoom registration window.

4. Close the window.

5. You will find this webinar under your "My Enrollments" and receive an email.

6. You can join at the time of the event from your email or from this course page.

CME Accreditation: The CME offered is AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and is specifically designed for doctors. While anyone can attend the webinar and claim the CME, attendees will be responsible for providing the CME information to their respective licensing boards for approval.

05/15/2026

🚒 Huge congrats to our Central Core partners!

Two great pieces from the Webster-Kirkwood Times spotlight the amazing work happening across Brentwood, Maplewood, Clayton, Richmond Heights, Shrewsbury, and Webster Groves; including the opening of a brand-new $2M shared training facility in Shrewsbury.

As your medical direction team, we couldn’t be prouder. We loved being on the rooftop with you for the recent rope-rescue training at SSM Health St. Mary’s, and we can’t wait to keep training right alongside you. 👏

Congratulations to the chiefs, officers, and crews making this happen!

🔗 https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/training-center-supports-central-core-fire-departments/article_7ac92d1d-76d1-4e9c-a6ed-94242c82e333.html

🔗 https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/strength-in-numbers-municipal-fire-departments-consider-collaborations/article_d2e08645-f2da-428d-a42c-2295e8f9d971.html

Every year, the lone fire station in Shrewsbury responds to more than 2,400 emergency calls, often in support of neighboring communities in St. Louis County.

04/30/2026

🚨 Save the date: National Disaster Medicine Webinar

We are proud to share that our own Dr. Michael DeFilippo will join Major General (Ret.) Dr. Donna Barbisch for a national disaster medicine webinar on Monday, May 19th.

📅 May 19, 2026
🕐 1:00 to 3:00 PM EST
💻 Zoom Webinar | CME Credits Offered

Topics:
• Dr. Barbisch: Senior Leader Crisis and Disaster Decision-Making
• Dr. DeFilippo: Crush Injury, Field Amputation, and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

This session is built for emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, disaster medicine fellows, and any responder looking to sharpen the ability to lead under pressure, manage finite resources, and execute high-stakes medical decisions in austere environments.

Co-hosted by the UMass Chan Division of EMS and Disaster Medicine, the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH), and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

Register: https://ow.ly/toyl50YNEKs

04/30/2026

Congratulations to our outstanding WashU EMS Fellow, Dr. Nishil Patel, recognized this week by Mehlville Fire Protection District for his role in a cardiac arrest resuscitation alongside MFPD crews.

This recognition reflects exactly what our fellowship trains physicians to do: deliver high-level bedside clinical decision-making in the prehospital environment, integrate seamlessly with field crews, and elevate the level of care a community receives at the moment it matters most.

A heartfelt congratulations to the entire team recognized by MFPD:

Deputy Chief Adam Hagar
Paramedic Unit 1777; FTO Jaede Riegel and Critical Care Paramedic Rachel Weich
Engine 1720; Captain Rob Parker, Fire Medics Kory Snelson and Kyle Creech

This is the value of structured, physician-led prehospital care, and it is the cornerstone of our fellowship and division.

To Mehlville Fire and to Dr. Patel; we are extraordinarily proud.

At last night’s Board Meeting, we were proud to recognize several Mehlville Fire personnel for their outstanding response to a critical cardiac arrest on February 10, 2026.

Thanks to their quick actions, advanced clinical training, and teamwork, the patient survived and was later discharged from the hospital neurologically intact. Outcomes like this are rare and reflect the high level of care our crews provide every day.

Please join us in recognizing Deputy Chief Adam Hagar, the crew of 1777 FTO Jaede Riegel and Critical Care Paramedic Rachel Weich, the crew of 1720 Captain Rob Parker, Fire Medics Kory Snelson and Kyle Creech, as well as WashU Provider Dr. Nishel Patel (not pictured) for their outstanding work and ongoing dedication to providing excellent care to the Mehlville community.