The Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS)
has named Dr. David Ghilarducci as its new medical director.
The Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) has named Dr. David Ghilarducci as its new medical director.
Ghilarducci, who was hired after a four-month search, assumed his duties on Sept. 15. He is responsible for the clinical oversight of the emergency medical services system in Santa Clara County, in coordination with other EMS Agency personnel. Ghilarducci’s responsibilities include evaluating the clinical aspects of paramedic operations within the county.
Since the EMS position is part-time, Ghilarducci also works as an emergency physician for Kaiser Permanente.
“We are very pleased to have someone of Dr. Ghilarducci’s caliber join our team,” said Rob Petrucci, acting director of the EMS agency. “His wide range of expertise will serve the residents of Santa Clara County very well.”
Ghilarducci earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, graduating in 2000 with honors. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies at Michigan State University, serving as chief resident in his final year. In 1985 Ghilarducci graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and was named the valedictorian of his graduating class. Ghilarducci also holds an associate in science degree from Cabrillo College in Emergency Medical Technology/Fire Science.
Before embarking on a medical career, Ghilarducci worked 16 years as a firefighter. He started as a volunteer firefighter with the city of Gilroy in 1980 and later rose through the ranks of the Santa Clara County Fire Department to acting battalion chief. He was the department’s 1994 Employee of the Year.
Additional honors include the 2002 Resident Teaching Excellence Award from Michigan State University, as well as the Honors in Research Award and the Humanism in Medicine Award, both from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Among his teaching experiences, Ghilarducci has served as a lead instructor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the California Office of Emergency Services.
Ghilarducci has also written or co-written a number of research articles, including a study of “Hazardous Materials Readiness of U.S. Level 1 Trauma Centers,” published in the July 2000 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. His knowledge of hazardous materials will be highly valuable to the county’s emergency preparedness planning.
A licensed pilot, Ghilarducci enjoys backpacking and scuba diving in his spare time. He is married with one child.
