Regional Medical Direction
In order to assist EMS agency medical directors in Colorado, a regional medical director (RMD) initiative was created to provide the resources necessary to help medical directors better perform their duties.
RMDs facilitate communication and cooperation among medical directors and EMS Leaders in their region. They provide updates on rule changes, advances in clinical practice, and discuss system issues. They facilitate continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes and promote regional standardization. They are a liaison for improved communication between the State, local agencies and the greater healthcare community.
Avery MacKenzie and Ross Orpet
Dr. Avery MacKenzie is a board certified emergency medicine physician who trained at Denver Health and has worked at Montrose Regional Health since 2016. She has been involved in EMS medical direction in western Colorado since starting in that position. She has served in the role as Regional Medical Director for Western RETAC since 2018.
In 2024, Dr. Ross Orpet joined the team as co-medical director for the WRETAC. Dr. Orpet is a board certified emergency medicine physician and a board certified EMS physician. He also trained at Denver Health for both his emergency medicine residency and his fellowship in EMS. He has worked at Montrose Regional Health since 2023.
WCEMSLC
The Western Colorado EMS Leadership Council is made up of our region’s EMS Chiefs, Managers, Directors, Medical Director’s and other stakeholders.
RMD-RAP Newsletters:
Denver Metro Protocol Changes July 2022
Colorado Emergency Medical Practice Council 
National Association of EMS Physicians
