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David Miramontes, MD, FACEP, FAEMS NREMT-P, medical director for the San Antonio Fire Department, received the 2023 EMS Medical Director Award at the Texas EMS Conference from the Texas Department of State Health Services in November.

Miramontes, associate professor/clinical in the Department of Emergency Health Sciences and the Department of Emergency Medicine, has served as medical director since 2014. He said his motivation comes from the patients requiring emergency, prehospital care.

“It’s really patient driven,” he said. “These are the sickest of the sick. These are really the folks that need a lift up.”

Miramontes said his own recovery after a very problematic cancer diagnosis in 2018 enabled him to keep serving. “I got a second chance,” he said. “That is what makes me even more committed to helping patients navigate our complicated health care system.”

In his role as medical director, Miramontes is responsible for medical oversight, training, quality assurance, infection control, disaster preparedness and the coordination of EMS medical care with area hospitals. He also welcomes calls from any of the approximately 1,800 firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and other employees in the SAFD and other area EMS responders under his leadership.

The award Miramontes received honors a physician who continually demonstrates a commitment to excellent patient care while serving as a medical director for an EMS organization. But to Miramontes, the award represents the efforts of a much larger, committed team whose work benefits patients and as a result, benefits the entire health care system and community.

“I think it really reflects all of the hard work of my team,” he said. “It’s this collaboration between my providers, the school, our fire department, STRAC [Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council] and all the stakeholders involved in our EMS practice of medicine. It’s really the team and everyone coming together to make things better for our patients. It’s a win-win-win-win.”

Miramontes embraces innovation and is a leader well beyond South Texas, said Lance Villers, PhD, LP, associate professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Health Sciences.

“Dr. Miramontes is transforming emergency medical care for not only San Antonio but his influence is nationwide,” Villers said. “His innovation and patient-centered approach to out-of-hospital medicine is setting a new standard for the emergency medical services and is highlighting how EMS can and should be at the forefront of improving health care treatment and delivery to the public.”

Also in November, Miramontes was elected to serve on the executive board of the National Association of EMS Physicians.