MINNEAPOLIS, (Sept. 27, 2019) — Susan Long, Director of Clinical Support Services and Andrew Stevens, MD, have been named Vice President Operations and Vice President Clinical Operations of Allina Health Emergency Medical Services (AHEMS). Both have been serving in these roles on an interim basis since the retirement of Brain LaCroix, former Allina Health EMS president, in April this year.
“Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity and privilege of watching them successfully navigate their interim EMS leadership roles and have been impressed with the level of professionalism, skill and accomplishments they and the entire EMS team have achieved,” said Sara Criger, Allina Health Senior Vice President, Operations.
This type of dyad leadership model, with one executive leader and one physician leader, has already proven to better support the strategies and deeper integration of EMS into Allina Health. While this leadership model is new for EMS, Allina has several service lines operating in a similar format.
After working as a paramedic in large and small ambulance services, Long started her career with Allina Health 22 years ago working as an ambulance manager for our North Metro area. She then moved to Administrative Support Manager and followed by Clinical and Support Services Director before taking the role of interim co-president of EMS this past April. Long is also a life-long educator who helped transition the local EMS services in New Ulm and Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington into the Allina Health EMS and was instrumental in getting our Community Paramedic Program started.
In addition to taking on the role as interim co-president of EMS in April, Stevens has also helped champion a continuous quality improvement program for prehospital clinical care and is currently applying an integrative approach to inter-facility transfers. Prior to joining Allina Health in 2016, Stevens held various leadership positions in Indianapolis including, Deputy Medical Director for Indianapolis EMS, Indianapolis Fire Department and Wayne Township Fire Department.
“I am proud of the reputation Allina Health EMS has in providing first-rate clinical care, as well as caring about the communities we serve,” Criger said. “I'm confident Susan and Andrew, with their talented leadership team, will continue this great work providing strong leadership and support to EMS.”
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 10 hospitals / 13 campuses, 15 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services.