Nelson County EMS to engage new medical director and promote paramedic to captain

Michael Reynolds, Nelson County EMS director, told the court on April 21 that Dr. Clifford Freeman has resigned as medical director and that EMS staff are recommending Dr. Kessler (name appears in meeting materials) to serve as the agency’s new medical director for multiple counties.

"He's verbally agreed to a salary of $1,000 a month," Reynolds said of the prospective medical director, noting that the physician had agreed to provide medical direction for the county and nearby agencies and would be approved by the Kentucky Board of EMS.

The court approved a motion authorizing the judge or designated county officials to sign agreements with Dr. Kessler to formalize the medical-director role. The motion to permit execution of agreements was made and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote.

Reynolds also recommended promoting paramedic Lauren Walker Miller to captain/shift supervisor effective immediately; members noted the historical $1-per-hour pay increase associated with the role. A motion to approve the promotion was moved and seconded and the court voted in favor.

Why it matters: County EMS requires an approved medical director to maintain protocols and oversight of prehospital care; the approved agreement and promotion are administrative steps intended to preserve service continuity as the agency adjusts its command structure.

No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript for these motions; recorded actions were approved by voice vote.