Clarkson Names Director of New Emergency Medical Services and Experiential Learning Program

To meet the increase in demand for quality rural healthcare and emergency services, Clarkson and the Earl R. and Barbara D. Lewis School of Health Sciences have named DOUGLAS WILDERMUTH the first director of Clarkson’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Experiential Learning program.

Wildermuth is a former New York State Trooper with more than two decades of emergency services experience. “Doug brings incredible experience, leadership and a high level of professionalism,” says Lennart Johns, founding dean of Clarkson’s Lewis School of Health Sciences. “Because of his high level of involvement within the region and nationally, he brings immediate recognition to the Lewis School’s new EMS program.”

Wildermuth, originally from Long Island, is a SUNY Cortland graduate who began his career with the New York State Police in 2001. During his time with the State Police, Wildermuth made several significant advances in the emergency services field.

In 2006, he created the EMS for law enforcement program that troopers continue to use. Wildermuth also helped expand a state initiative that placed an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every state building and every marked State Police vehicle.

Eventually, Wildermuth moved to Division Headquarters and was promoted to technical sergeant and contaminated crime scene emergency response team coordinator. He returned to the field in 2017, taking a position closer to home to finish his career before accepting the EMS program director position at Clarkson.

Wildermuth recognizes that offering quality and disciplined education is paramount to creating a positive relationship with the community. Part of accomplishing this, he believes, includes hands-on education.

“In EMS, we have found that adult learning is learning more by doing than by lecture. There are so many different skill sets of adult education that I have learned over the years,” says Wildermuth. “Any participant that comes into this program will not only understand the principles, but they will apply the practices to their emergency medical technician training. I think that will excite students in that they are not just going to sit there and listen about what they have to do, but apply that knowledge and practice those skills.”

Because of his high level of involvement within the region and nationally, [Wildermuth] brings immediate recognition to the Lewis School's new EMS program.

— LENNART JOHNS, Founding Dean of the Lewis School of Health Sciences