04/24/2008 GAAS:205:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints Steven Tharratt Director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority
Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Steven Tharratt as director of
the Emergency Medical Services Authority.
"Steven has devoted his entire career to protecting
public health and safety. He understands fully my dedication to ensuring
California's
emergency medical care system is prepared to take on any state emergency and
provide immediate and quality care," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "Steven's
experience in emergency services makes him the ideal fit for this position and I
am certain he will serve the state and the people of California with the
highest level of professionalism and expertise."
Since 2000, Tharratt has served at the University of California, Davis Medical
Center as professor of
medicine and anesthesiology and vice chief in the division of Pulmonary/Critical
Care Medicine. Additionally, he has served as the medical director for the
Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services and the Sacramento City and County Fire
Departments since 1995. He has also been associate
regional medical director for the California Poison Control System since 1989.
From 2005 to 2007 and also from 2002 to 2003, Tharratt served as interim
division chief of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. From
2000 to 2004, he was the medical science advisor to the Governors Office of
Emergency Services. From 1997 to 2005, Tharratt was the chief medical consultant
for the California Emergency Medical Services
Authority.
"I am honored Governor Schwarzenegger has chosen me for
this position," Tharratt said. "I am thrilled to offer my services to the state
so the people of California can be taken care of in the event
of an emergency."
Tharratt, 49, of El Dorado Hills, received a Doctor of
Medicine degree from the University of
California, Los
Angeles, a Master of Public Health degree from the University of California, Davis and a
Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences from the University of California, Riverside. This position does not require
Senate confirmation and the compensation is $200,000. Tharratt is a
Republican.
The mission of the California Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) Authority is to ensure quality patient care by administering an effective
statewide system of coordinated emergency medical care, injury prevention, and
disaster medical response. The EMS Authority is also responsible for leadership
in developing and implementing EMS systems throughout California and setting standards for the training and
scope of practice of various levels of EMS
personnel.
