Asst. Chief Josh McGaughey Attains ACPE Fellow Distinction

St. Peters, MO? - Like other areas of the healthcare continuum, emergency medical services [EMS] is an industry that has undergone considerable evolution in recent years, and more change undoubtedly is on the horizon.? St. Charles County Ambulance District [SCCAD] is well-positioned to develop and promote best practices to integrated community healthcare thanks to Assistant Chief Josh M. , who recently became a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives [ACPE], the nation’s leading professional society for EMS leaders.

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development.? Candidates must fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive exam, meeting academic and experiential criteria, and demonstrating professional/community involvement.? Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification.

“Assistant Chief McGaughey’s leadership, problem-solving abilities and ability to develop strategic, collaborative solutions that enhance patient care within our organization, community, and profession make him an invaluable asset,” said SCCAD Chief Kelly Cope .? “His attainment of the ACPE’s Fellow distinction points to his dedication to constant growth and improvement.”

McGaughey began his career at SCCAD in 2006 as a paramedic, and over the past decade has served in roles of increasing responsibility including Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Platoon Chief, and since 2021, Assistant Chief. He has been instrumental in the development of several cutting-edge internal and external initiatives that see paramedics collaborating with healthcare partners to improve outcomes, including a robust critical care ground transport program that provides intensive care unit-level supports to the most ill patients in St. Charles County.

SCCAD has continually invested in training and development for paramedic and auxiliary staff. The District recently partnered with the National EMS Management Association to implement the “EMS Field Training and Evaluation Program” as the crucial first step in training 18 new Field Training Officers [FTOs] In collaboration with his direct reports, McGaughey helped research, plan and implement this exciting new program, which is a vital part of on-boarding the next generation of SCCAD paramedics.

“My ambition to earn the Fellow certification went beyond professional development; it extended to the paramedics and auxiliary staff at SCCAD. Their devotion to providing extraordinary mobile healthcare is my motivation, and I strive to support them in their odyssey to improve patient care,” said McGaughey.