KETCHUM, Idaho  – Dr. Keith Sivertson, a St. Luke’s Wood River Emergency Department physician, is among the nation’s first American Board of Medical Specialties-recognized emergency medical services (EMS) physicians. The American Board of Emergency Medicine recently recognized EMS as a formal sub-specialty of emergency medicine and administered its first certifying examination in December 2013. There are currently only 195 board certified EMS physicians in the nation.

“I am excited to be specially trained to offer this level of emergency expertise in our community,”Dr. Sivertson said. “I am truly grateful for the philanthropic investment, including the vision of the Heinz and Argyros families, which makes it possible to offer a level of emergency services that far exceeds what is typically found in a community of our size.”

Dr. Sivertson is also board certified in emergency medicine.  St. Luke’s Wood River has board certified emergency physicians staffing the Emergency Department, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. This level of expertise is extremely rare for a hospital of this size.

EMS is a medical sub-specialty that involves pre-hospital emergency patient care, including initial patient stabilization, treatment, and transport in specially equipped ambulances or helicopters to hospitals. The purpose of EMS sub-specialty certification is to standardize physician training and qualifications for EMS practice, improve patient safety and enhance the quality of emergency medical care provided to patients and populations in the pre-hospital environment, and facilitate further integration of pre-hospital patient treatment into the continuum of patient care.

“We commend Dr. Sivertson for his pursuit of the EMS board certification and passing the rigorous exam. This achievement demonstrates both his and St. Luke’s commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our community.” stated Cody Langbehn, CEO.

About St. Luke’s Wood River

In November 2000, St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center opened its doors to serve the health care needs of people living in the greater Blaine County area. This not-for-profit 25-bed critical access hospital provides 24-hour emergency services, orthopedic and general surgery, diagnostic imaging including MRI, CT and digital mammography, maternal and childbirth services, and outpatient infusion services including chemotherapy. St. Luke’s physicians work closely with the medical center and include a network of over 30 providers including dermatology, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and urology.