- Home
- Departments
- Emergency Medical Services
- Leadership
Leadership
Director
Mike Knipstein
I have grown up in Williamson County EMS, working here 20 years. I started my career on our original inter-facility transfer truck. During that time, I have also been involved in our clinical education. I am an Austin Community College graduate from both the paramedic program and the registered nursing program. My dedication to growth took me back to school a few years ago to get a bachelors in business management. I’m blessed to be married to the best wife ever, Heather, and have three daughters. I believe in the customer. Everything we do in WCEMS should start with the customer, both internally and externally, in mind. We must focus on the customer. I am passionate about growth. I believe that we must be an organization that is growing; personally, professionally, operationally and from a clinical standpoint. Growth is not only in size or number. It means that we are learning and willing to change to do things more efficiently and more effectively. My involvement in our clinical education and operations has given me a passion for teamwork. As we work together we can do our best to serve our patients.
I’ve learned from my experiences in WCEMS. The care we provide has taught me that our role in the community does not end with responding quickly and taking people to the hospital. The service/care we provide does change people’s lives. I am dedicated to doing things the most efficient and effective way. I believe my job is to help foster efficiency and effectiveness and to help coordinate the operational and clinical components to make that happen.
I am blessed to work with people who have the desire and ability to be the very best.
Mike
Clinical
Terri King
Prior to my career in Paramedicine, I completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. I completed my paramedic licensure at Austin Community College and Temple College. I became part of the Williamson County EMS family in 1999 as a part time employee, where I immediately fell in love with the system and the paramedic profession. I accepted a full time position in 2003.
Quality EMS Systems practice evidence based medicine to ensure that their patients receive care utilizing the most current science and protocols in medicine. As a professional educator, it was easy for me to transition to the Clinical Practices Division in 2008, where I work with the medical director to maintain a high level medical practice. Utilizing the evidence based medicine model, we create and monitor our key performance indicators to ensure a competent staff and First Responder core to administer clinically sophisticated care to the citizens of Williamson County.
Our system is also integrating education into our cities to ensure that citizens can recognize emergent situations and activate the 911 system. We offer all levels of CPR class and most recently instituted the Take 10 program where anyone can learn CPR in ten minutes. When citizens understand basic life saving measures it augments the County’s response to emergencies.
I am committed to ensuring Williamson County EMS remains a consistent, excellent performer in pre- hospital medicine. The expectation of high quality medicine and excellent customer service allows us to be recognized as a top system in the State of Texas as well as the nation.
Operations
Ed Tydings
I began my career in EMS with a transfer service back in 1994, and in 1997 I came to Williamson County EMS. I have had an exciting career, branching into Emergency Management while remaining on the ambulance. I have had the privilege of serving people throughout the state of Texas by deploying as a member of our Incident Management Teams to several major hurricanes, floods, and fires. I am also one of the founding members of our Honor Guard.
I grew up in Western NY, and I still return to see my family several times a year. I moved to Texas in 1991 when I enlisted in the United States Army. I spent two years on an M1A1 tank at Ft. Hood, and one additional year as an artillery crewman. While employed with WCEMS, I was able to graduate from the University of Texas with a BS in Zoology. My wife Carmen also graduated from UT, and we are both avid supporters of all things Longhorn!! We have two active boys, and I coach both of them in soccer and baseball. I am active in several service organizations, and as my boys grow I hope to be able to pass along my passion to serve.
I truly believe that EMS is a vocation. We are called to serve our neighbors in their time of need, and that is one of the greatest things a person can do. I believe that my job is to work with our Clinical Practice Division to design, implement, and maintain efficient practices that allow our paramedics to provide outstanding clinical and customer service.
Medical Director
Dr. Taylor Ratcliff
October 20, 2022 (Williamson County, Texas) – Dr. TaylorRatcliff with Baylor Scott & White Healthcare has been named the new medical director for Williamson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Dr. Ratcliff will be the county’s third medical director since the founding of the service in 1975. Dr. Ratcliff is replacing Dr. Jeff Jarvis who has accepted the position as chief medical officer and system medical director at MedStar in Fort Worth. Dr. Ratcliff is an emergency medicine physician at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center – Temple. He attended medical school at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and completed his residency in emergency medicine through the Texas A&M emergency medicine residency program in Temple. He is board certified in emergency medicine and emergency medical services by the American Board of Emergency Medicine Services. Dr. Ratcliff serves as medical director for other local agencies. He began his career in medicine as a paramedic in Lubbock.
“Prehospital medicine and emergency care is rapidly evolving, and I am honored to join a team that is providing high-quality, cutting-edge care to the residents of Williamson County. The EMS team, the associated first responders and Dr. Jarvis have developed an excellent system, and I am excited to help maintain that excellence into the future,” said Dr. Ratcliff.
“We are excited to have Dr. Ratcliff become our new medical director. He is well known in Texas as an EMS advocate and medical director. He will ensure that we are able to continue to provide pre-eminent care to our patients,” said Williamson County EMS Director Mike Knipstein.