Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Dawn G. Bidwell, Bonnie Engen, Susan Jacobson, Dr. Lee Pyles, M.D., James Rieber, and Dr. Mari C. Thomas, M.D. to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Regulatory Board.

Bidwell, of Alexandria, is an emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic with Wheaton Ambulance Service, a paramedic with North Memorial Ambulance in Douglas County, and the coordinator of North Memorial EMS Education, Alexandria Division. She has over 30 years of experience in the emergency medical services field, previously holding positions as deputy coroner with the Metropolitan Regional Coroner’s office, and an LPN with St. Francis Regional Medical Center. Bidwell is a past president of the Minnesota EMT Association, and has received numerous professional awards. Bidwell replaces Megan Hartigan as a paramedic member of the EMS Regulatory Board for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Engen, of Bagley, is the administrator of the North Country Community Health Board, as well as the registered nurse (RN) and public health nurse (PHN) director for Clearwater County Nursing Service, and has 30 years of experience in nursing. She is also the Holst Township clerk, and secretary/treasurer of the Clearwater County Township Association and previously served four terms on the Clearbrook/Gonvick School Board. Engen replaces Donald Otte as a representative of a local board of health on the EMS Regulatory Board for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Jacobson, of St. Paul, is deputy chief of emergency medical services with the St. Paul Fire Department. She has 15 years of experience in fire service and emergency medical services with the St. Paul Fire Department, including five years as captain of a fire and paramedic company until her promotion to deputy chief. Jacobson is a certified EMT/paramedic with the National Registry as well as the State of Minnesota. She has been a board member of the sister city committee for Manzanillo, Mexico, and has served on a number of department and metropolitan area committees. Jacobson replaces James Aagenes as a representative of fire chiefs on the EMS Regulatory Board for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Pyles, of Edina, is an associate professor of pediatrics as well as an associate professor of emergency medicine with the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Cardiology, and is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. Pyles is co-medical director of the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services for Children Resource Center, a member of the Minnesota EMS Regulatory Board Data Committee, and has served as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Pyles replaces Dr. Brian Moore as a representative of pediatricians with experience in emergency medical services on the EMS Regulatory Board to complete a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

Rieber, of Perham, is the director of emergency medical services, information systems and technology for Perham Memorial Hospital. Previously, he has been a firefighter and medic with the Fargo Fire Department, a staff paramedic with St. Mary’s EMS in Detroit Lakes, and a staff EMT and paramedic with the Fargo-Moorhead Ambulance Service. Rieber is vice chair of the Perham School Board, legislative chair for the West Central EMS Corporation, and a member of the Perham Rotary Club. Rieber replaces Michael Parrish as the chair, and as a representative of Minnesota hospitals on the EMS Regulatory Board for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Thomas, of Sauk Centre, is a board certified family physician and is a co-owner of, as well as a family physician with the Lakeview Medical Clinic in Sauk Centre. She is also a staff and emergency room physician with St. Michael’s Hospital as well as its trauma program’s medical director, is the Sauk Centre Ambulance medical director, and has previously served as the Stearns County Red Cross medical director. Thomas is a member of the EMS Regulatory Board medical director’s standing advisory committee, and the Central Minnesota EMS Region medical director. Thomas replaces Dr. Mark Lindquist as a family practice physician involved in emergency medical services on the EMS Regulatory Board for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

The Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board makes recommendations on improving access, delivery and effectiveness of the state’s EMS delivery system and establishes procedures for investigating, hearing and resolving complaints against EMS providers. The board consists of 19 members, including 15 appointed by the Governor. Members may not serve more than one consecutive term on the board.