Angela Wright, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has been named Medical Director for the State Health Facilities and Emergency Medical and Trauma Services branch of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
The new role complements her faculty and clinical roles on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. In addition to her faculty appointment, Wright is medical director for UCHealth Denver Metro Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Wright, the first woman to serve as EMS medical director for CDPHE, will be a clinical and subject matter expert for prehospital care and emergency medical services providers throughout the state.
“I'm thrilled for this opportunity,” Wright says. “I'm looking forward to continuing to support our first responders across the state of Colorado.”
Full circle moment for a Colorado native
Expanding her leadership and emergency medical services (EMS) experience for the state is a “full-circle moment” for Wright, who was raised in Niwot, Colo.
Wright received her basic emergency medical technician (EMT-B) license in 2008, working in Denver and Golden as an EMT and an emergency room technician. She earned her medical degree from Loyola University in Chicago, and then completed her residency through the Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine program and her fellowship with the Denver Health Paramedic Division.
Wright says leading EMS efforts across the state allows her to give back to others.
“My experience in prehospital care in rural areas, leading medical direction for EMS, and launching educational efforts has shown me multiple perspectives from diverse populations in the EMS field,” Wright says. “These experiences have prepared me to lead EMS efforts at a state level. It feels like a bit of a full-circle moment where I’m able to give back to Colorado.
Wright also leads local collaboration with EMS partners through UCHealth and is spearheading new educational efforts through the Program for EMS and Prehospital Care. In April 2023, Wright and Andra Farcas, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine, launched the UCHealth Medical Education on the Delivery of Innovative Care (MEDIC) program to provide high-quality clinical and didactic education for Colorado trainees and to prepare trainees for the National Registry Paramedic certification exams in prehospital care.
In the first year of the MEDIC Program, Wright and Farcas have trained 50 students to become paramedics, EMT-Bs, critical care paramedics, and emergency medical responders.
Wright says she is grateful for the support provided by the Department of Emergency Medicine as she takes on her new role. “I couldn’t have gotten here without leadership in the department supporting my decision to take on this role.”
Wright hopes to broaden communication and collaboration with EMS providers to ensure the highest standards statewide.
“We will continually look for opportunities to improve care as a team,” she says. “I’m excited to work with the team at CDPHE, as they have an incredible wealth of knowledge with many years of experience.”
