Local EMS director awarded

Dr. Brian Sauter, medical director for the Rural Cass County Ambulance and Rescue Association (RCCARA), was named Medical Director of the Year at the North Dakota Emergency Medical Services Association (NDEMSA) awards ceremony in Bismarck on April 4. Sauter was nominated by the RCCARA. 

“We were very pleased that Dr. Sauter got this award,” said Ken Habiger, Casselton EMS volunteer. “Everyone in the county really appreciates all that he does.”

Sauter, an emergency medicine physician at Innovis Health in Fargo, has been the medical director for the RCCARA since 2003. He serves as the medical director to the Casselton, Kindred, Hunter and Page ambulance services and the Buffalo and Leonard Quick Response Units (QRU). 

To operate an ambulance service or QRU in North Dakota, there must be a medical director who operates under the protocols established by the state health department. As a medical director, Dr. Sauter works with the services on training programs and reviews runs and serves as advisor in major disasters such as the recent flooding and storms. He meets with QRUs as their scheduling permits. 

“He gives valuable insight and input to squad members and has been supportive of each sqaud’s activities and skills,” explained Nancy Satrom, president of the Page ambulance service. “The county responders have appreciated Dr. Sauter’s interest and participation in their continuing education.”

Sauter’s experience in emergency services also includes his time with the U.S. Army in Heidelburg, Germany; Fort Gordon, Ga. and Kosovo. He joined the Emergency Medicine Department of Innovis as a staff physician in 2002. He has also served as a consultant to the F-M Ambulance on protocols and trauma plans. 

In addition to receiving the Medical Director of the Year award, Dr. Sauter was named a fellow by the American College of Emergency Physicians in 2002. 

(To become a Fellow, a physician must be an active, life, honorary, or international member of ACEP for three consecutive years and primarily practice as an emergency physician, exclusive of training. The physician must also be board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine, or the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatric emergency medicine. Each of these professional boards are member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.)