During the recent Air Medical Transport Conference in Nashville, TN , the MedEvac Foundation International appointed David Thomson, MS, MD, MPA, FACEP, CMTE as Chair of the Board of Trustees. He was elected by the Board of his peers to lead the Foundation during a time of rapid growth.

Dr. Thomson succeeds Kevin Hutton, MD, FACEP, CHC as Chair.  Dr. Hutton had led the Foundation since 2006 and had overseen the creation of many of the Foundation’s programs, including several scholarships and the Family Grant Fund program.  The Foundation will always be indebted to Dr. Hutton, who sits on the Board as Past Chair, for his passion and dedication to the industry.

“I am excited to take the helm at the MedEvac Foundation, and hope to continue the tradition of valued leadership put in place by Dr. Kevin Hutton,” says Dr. Thomson.  “I very much look forward to growing the research funding provided, expanding the Foundation’s current programs and exploring international opportunities.”

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Thomson received his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Wabash College, his Master’s Degree in Human Bioenergetics from Ball State University, and his MD from the University of Cincinnati.  He then completed his emergency medicine residency training with the University of Pittsburgh Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine.  Dr. Thomson holds an MPA from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.  He is a diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services.

Dr. Thomson began his career as a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati, eventually serving as the Medical Director for University Air Care.  During that period he was the Medical Director for EMT-D programs in Florence, Erlanger, and Union Kentucky.  He also served with DMAT team KY-1, which responded to Florida after Hurricane Andrew.

In 1995 Dr. Thomson moved to East Carolina University where he was an assistant professor.  During his time there he was the Medical Director for EastCare, a rotor-wing and ground critical care service.

In 1999 Dr. Thomson moved to Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY.  There he was the Medical Director for Air One, and he was the Medical Director for Telemedicine, participating in the Shadowbowl exercise during the San Diego Superbowl.  He served as the Medical Director for Rural Metro of Central New York, and was the Director of STORMS, the Special and Tactical Operational Regional Medical Support team working with tactical teams in Central New York.

Returning to East Carolina University in 2013, he serves as a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and is the Medical Director for Vidant EastCare.  He is a lecturer in the EMS Fellowship series and directs the EMS Journal Club.  Along with his Vidant EastCare and EMS Division colleagues, he provides care at the ECU football games.

In addition to serving on the MedEvac Foundation Board, he has served on the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Board of Directors since 2010, serving as the Vice Chair in 2013.  Dr. Thomson has also served as an Air Medical Physician Association (AMPA) Board Member, a National Association of EMS Physicians® representative to the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) Board, and a CAMTS site surveyor.

Dr. Thomson has been the author or co-author of several publications and book chapters related to EMS and Air Medical Services.  Dr. Thomson and his wife, Barbara, live in Greenville, North Carolina.  They have three adult children.