NCH EMS System Medical Director earns prestigious subspecialty board certification

Matthew Jordan, M.D., FACEP, Emergency Medicine Physician at NCH and Medical Director of the Northwest Community Emergency Medical Services System, just earned what he calls a “feather in his cap.” He’s been practicing emergency medicine since 2003, but recently fulfilled a professional goal to achieve subspecialty certification in emergency medical services (EMS). He’s now board certified in EMS and emergency medicine.

Less than 500 physicians hold this certification. It’s fairly new, the process is rigorous and not many doctors specialize in this field. EMS certification is achieved by passing a comprehensive examination that covers clinical aspects of EMS medicine; medical oversight of EMS; quality management and research; and special operations. “This adds more credence,” Dr. Jordan says. “It shows that I’m qualified and that the system is high functioning.”

EMS Administrative Director and System Coordinator Connie Mattera, M.S., RN, EMT-P, TNS, says Dr. Jordan is “one of a very elite cohort of physicians who has achieved this distinction.”

“We are honored that he is our leader,” Connie says.

In January 2017, Dr. Jordan succeeded John Ortinau, M.D., FACEP, FAEMS, who was one of the first physicians in the country to achieve EMS board certification. In the last year, Dr. Jordan has actively gone out to the field to meet and interact with over 1,500 system members at 24 EMS agencies. In addition, he carves time out of his busy schedule to attend system and regional meetings relative to stroke, trauma and EMS, and teaches in the EMT, Paramedic, Continuing Education, Trauma Nurse Specialist and Emergency Communication Registered Nurse Programs conducted by the EMS System.

“He’s also been highly successful in rolling out a new approach to advanced airway management using a King Vision videolaryngoscope,” Connie says.

About the EMS Program

NCH created the first EMS Program in the state of Illinois. It was started in the early 1970s by Stanley M. Zydlo, M.D., FACEP, and it continues to be a model of excellence for EMS system planning and operations.

“They use our system as kind of a guide or at least a role model in developing some of their programs and the protocols that their EMS personnel follow,” Dr. Jordan explains.

Dr. Jordan practices clinically in the Emergency Departments at Northwest Community Hospital as well as Presence Resurrection Medical Center.