Virginia Beach EMS Duty Physician Program Brings the Doctor to the Field

Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services (VBEMS) offers a unique service to the community – its EMS Duty Physician Program allows licensed physicians to volunteer and assist providers (paramedics, emergency medical technicians and advanced emergency medical technicians) during critical calls in the field, providing medical direction and advanced treatment at scenes.  

“It’s a benefit to residents because you’re bringing the physician to the field. Physicians bring their expertise, for instance ultrasound and with our Whole Blood Initiative program,” said Stewart Martin, EMS operational medical director. 

“They can help provide not only direct medical control and alter orders as needed but also with more knowledge of medicine,” Martin said. “Sometimes they can intervene with a patient that may say they do not want to go to the hospital.” 

Martin emphasizes that VBEMS career and volunteer providers are superbly trained, while the Duty Physician program “augments the patient experience in the field.”  

“The level of care is so superior that we are also involving physicians in the field to help with some of our decision process,” he added. “Volunteer physicians assist our providers in offering elite-level patient care.” 

This year, Martin marked his 26th year with VB Rescue – EMS as its operational medical director. He started in the system as a volunteer in 1986 with the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. In 1998, he was appointed medical director for the Department of EMS and the 10 rescue squads. In July, he retired after 32 years as an emergency medicine physician at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. He has now transitioned into giving more time and service as medical director for the department. 

History of EMS Duty Physician Program 

Former EMS Division Chief Kevin Lipscomb started the program in 2019 as a pathway for physicians to participate in the system. Lipscomb’s wife is an ER physician and was interested in volunteering, thus the program was created. Lipscomb is still involved in the volunteer system today. 

The program has approximately 20-25 physician volunteers, which includes Eastern Virginia Medical School residents who are learning emergency medicine. They rotate with VBEMS to learn about emergency medical services and to be able to function as an MD02, as volunteer physicians and medical school residents are referred in the program. 

The volunteer physicians have specialties from emergency medicine, anesthesia and family medicine. 

“Some of them have been involved with EMS for many years. Some of them started as volunteers and they want to continue being able to participate,” Martin said. “So, they are doing it as a physician with this program.” 

They are dispatched to calls such as a serious motor vehicle accidents, cardiac arrests or when someone is in severe respiratory distress. If they are too far away, the crew can still call them on the radio or phone for advice. 

The department requires medical school residents and licensed physicians to complete a training curriculum to familiarize them with the VB Rescue – EMS system, its operations and function in the field. 

Perspective from an MD02 

Cliff Cutchins was one of the first recruits in the EMS Duty Physician program in 2019. He began in high school as an EMT with Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. He continued to volunteer through college and medical school. 

“I have thoroughly enjoyed helping advance knowledge in the EMS field through both on-scene medical direction as well as lectures and discussions to both volunteers and career EMS members,” Cutchins said. “Volunteering in EMS is largely what drew me to a career in medicine. I truly love helping my neighbors and feel such a sense of community and pride in serving my home city.” 

He said residents should be reassured knowing they have a dedicated group of physicians who donate their time and effort in the program. 

“Although there is not always a physician on duty, it can almost feel like a return to the old days of ‘house calls’ in an emergency,” Cutchins said. “The career and volunteer EMS staff enjoy and crave the extra perspective lent by a physician in the field, as they are always looking, as I am, to improve their patient care.” 

Learn More 

• Become a volunteer – visit ems.virginiabeach.gov/volunteer. 
• Still unsure? You can ride along on an ambulance through the Observer Program. Learn more at ems.virginiabeach.gov/observe.  

EMS is an award-winning third-service agency that answers more than 53,000 calls for service annually. Through VB Rescue, EMS utilizes a combined career-volunteer workforce and was named a 2024 American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Gold EMS Agency. Learn more about EMS by visiting ems.virginiabeach.gov. You can also contact Virginia Beach EMS at vbems@vbgov.com.