By AliciaBarry
Akron News-Reporter
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Colo. — With the retirement of longtime Medical Director Dr. John Collins, Dr. Andra Farcas has stepped into the role for the Washington County Ambulance Service.
Dr. Farcas is currently an emergency medicine physician who works clinically at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and as an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She serves as the Medical Director for multiple EMS agencies in Colorado, including Morgan County Ambulance Service, South YW Ambulance Service and Idalia Ambulance Service. Additionally, she is also the Assistant Medical Director for the Wray Ambulance Service and provides medical direction for WY Communications, the dispatch center for Washington and Yuma Counties.
“We are excited about the future relationship with Dr. Farcas and UCHealth and the Washington County Ambulance Service,” added Collin Patterson, Washington County Ambulance Director.
Dr. Farcas attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and later did her emergency medicine residency training at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She did an additional year of training in emergency medical services as a fellow at the University of California in San Diego, and is double board certified in emergency medicine and emergency medical services.
As the Medical Director for the Washington County Ambulance Service, her role includes writing medical protocols to guide the medical care provided by EMTs and paramedics. Dr. Farcas also reviews the care provided by using a quality assurance/quality improvement process and provide education to EMS providers.
“Each EMS system and the community they take care of is unique and medical direction is a collaborative approach between the medical direction and the EMS agency. I have been, and will continue to, work with the Washington County Ambulance Service to ensure we continue to provide excellent care for the residents of Washington County. I have been to Washington County multiple times and plan to visit on a regular basis to provide direction, education and support. In addition, I meet with the leaders of WCAS regularly.” Dr. Farcas said.
In conclusion, Dr. Farcas said, “I look forward to working with the Washington County Ambulance Service to ensure we provide the best pre-hospital care for Washington County residents. I have the assistance and support of a wonderful team, including Dr. Angela Wright, Medical Director for EMS and Prehospital Care at the University of Colorado and UCHealth Denver Metropolitan area, and Marc Scherschel, Senior Director of Prehospital Care for UCHealth Denver Metropolitan area.”