MINNEAPOLIS (March 30, 2022) — Allina Health Emergency Medical Service (AHEMS) has named Joey Duren, MD, as its new Chief Medical Director - EMS Office of Medical Direction. Duren will lead the AHEMS team of three physicians. Duren had been serving as interim AHEMS lead physician and her promotion is immediate.
“Dr. Duren has brought energy and a positive mindset of continuous improvement to the team and the efforts of EMS Office of Medical Direction,” said Sara Criger, Allina Health Senior Vice President Operations and Acute Care Services. “I know she is looking forward to continuing her work with the entire EMS leadership team.”
“Joey has been a valuable part of Allina Health EMS as an associate medical director since 2019,” Allina Health Vice President EMS operations Susan Long said. “She has a passion for the work and I look forward to the future and where Joey will take our patient care.”
Allina Health EMS serves more than one million people in Minnesota and Wisconsin in over 100 communities that cover more than 1,200 square miles. It employs nearly 570 paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dispatchers, special transportation drivers, maintenance, and administration and support personnel. In addition to 911 emergency medical care, Allina Health EMS provides priority medical dispatch, 911 pre-arrival instructions, non-emergency ambulance response, and the Greater Minnesota Ride program and wheelchair transportation. Allina Health EMS Office of Medical Direction also provides education and oversight to 85 community first responder agencies.
“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chief Medical Director of AHEMS,” said Duren. “The team at Allina and all the agencies of first responders I have the honor of working with represent the true heroes of our communities. My role as a clinical leader will be to equip, educate and enable this team to continue our mission to provide exceptional care to our patients.”
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.