HOUSTON – Houston’s emergency medical services have a new top physician leading the way. Dr. Kevin Schulz brings more than 25 years of emergency medical service experience and more than a decade of direct service to the City of Houston.
Schulz succeeds Dr. David Persse, who retired earlier this year after nearly three decades serving Houston. Schulz has served as an Assistant Medical Director with the Houston Fire Department since 2012, helping shape the department’s nationally recognized EMS system before stepping into its top physician leadership role.
Recommended Videos
“Dr. Kevin Schulz knows Houston because he has dedicated part of his career to serving our community. He has valuable expertise in multiple medical fields and an unwavering dedication that is key in his new position,” Mayor Whitmire said. “Dr. Schulz brings the experience and vision needed to continue strengthening our emergency medical services. He will also work to make the Houston Fire Department a national leader in emergency response and prehospital care, and assist me in continuing to make public safety my highest priority.”
As EMS Physician Director, Schulz oversees the medical aspects of one of the nation’s busiest EMS systems. His responsibilities include medical oversight for clinical protocols, quality improvement, continuing education, and patient care delivered by Houston Fire Department paramedics and EMTs.
“Dr. Schulz has dedicated his career to advancing emergency medical care and improving outcomes for the people of Houston,” Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz said. “He understands our city, he understands our firefighters and paramedics, and he has helped shape our EMS system for more than a decade. I have complete confidence in his leadership as we continue building one of the nation’s premier emergency medical services systems.”
From volunteer EMT to physician director
Schulz began his career as a volunteer EMT in New Jersey and Pennsylvania before earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from Villanova University and a medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine. He completed his emergency medicine residency at Morristown Medical Center, then moved to Houston to complete an EMS fellowship at UTHealth Houston.
Since joining the Houston Fire Department, Schulz has helped lead the medical response to some of the city’s most significant events, including Hurricane Harvey, Super Bowl LI, the NCAA Final Four, and the FIFA World Cup. He has also served as a tactical physician with the Houston Police Department’s Tactical Operations Division since 2013.
“I’m honored to serve the City of Houston and the Houston Fire Department in this role. I’m also grateful to Mayor Whitmire and Chief Muñoz for their confidence in me and for the opportunity to build on the outstanding work that’s already been done,” Schulz said. “Our paramedics and EMTs provide exceptional care every day, and I look forward to working alongside them as we continue advancing our EMS system and delivering the highest level of care to the people of Houston.”
National leader in emergency medicine
Beyond his duties with the city, Schulz serves as Associate Clinical Professor and EMS Fellowship Director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, where he is also Co-Chief of the Section of Disaster and Prehospital Medicine.
Schulz chairs the National Association of EMS Physicians’ Council of EMS Fellowship Directors and is a past president of the organization’s Texas Chapter. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council.
Board certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services, Schulz is a Fellow of both the Academy of Emergency Medical Services and the American College of Emergency Physicians. He has authored or co-authored more than 40 publications and abstracts related to prehospital and event medicine.