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The presentation is focused on the implementation of an innovative paramedicine model as a way to improve the population health

Yuma, Arizona.– The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. (RCBH) hosted several Fire Departments, Urgent Care providers and emergency first responders of Yuma County community at a presentation where former Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Director Mr. Will Humble and Rio Rico Medical & Fire District Chief Les Caid presented “Community Integrated Paramedicine: An Emerging Model to Improve Outcomes in Rural AZ” on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the RCBH Headquarters in Somerton.

According to Ms. Amanda Aguirre, President and CEO of the RCBH, the presentation is focused on the implementation of an innovative paramedicine model as a way to improve the population health, with the participation of Mr. Humble, actual Division Director for Health Policy and Program Evaluation for the Center for Population Science & Discovery, at the University of Arizona’s Health Sciences Center.

Also, the conference had the participation of Mr. Les Caid, Fire Chief for the Rio Rico Medical & Fire District, and currently Co-Chair of the U.S. EPA Border 20/20 Emergency Preparedness Task Force and past Co-Chair of the Emergency Management Committee for the Arizona Mexico Commission.

Chief Caid is also a past member of the State of Arizona Homeland Security Coordinating Council. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Greater Tucson Leadership, the Arizona School Counselors Association, World Care and the Medical Reserve Corp of Southern Arizona (MRC).

Community integrated paramedicine is a paradigm shift to the use of paramedic in the US, as it was explained by Mr. Humble during his presentation at the 42^nd Arizona Rural Health Conference & 10^th Annual Performance Improvement Summit celebrated on August, 2015 in Sedona, AZ.

As the health care world increasingly shifts toward prevention and well care- the Arizona’s healthcare system will increasingly require professionals that can function in a community health (primary care and prevention) role. Community integrated paramedicine is increasingly being recognized as a promising solution to efficiently increase access to care (especially for underserved populations).

Fire Fighters from the City of Yuma, the Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department and San Luis will be included in a pilot program based on this model, to be implemented in the near future in the Yuma County area.

For more information please contact Mrs. Mariajose Almazan, Executive Assistant for the President and CEO of the RCBH at (928) 627-9222 or by e-mail at mrincon@rcfbh.org