ABPS past president Jerry Allison joins national EMS advisory council

By AI, Created 11:04 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The American Board of Physician Specialties said Dr. Jerry Allison has been appointed to the National EMS Advisory Council by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The appointment puts a longtime emergency medical services leader in a federal advisory role focused on EMS policy and rural health needs.

Why it matters: - Dr. Jerry Allison’s appointment adds a physician executive with more than 35 years of EMS experience to a federal council that advises on national emergency medical services policy. - The role could affect recommendations tied to rural access, hospital viability and community-based care models.

What happened: - The American Board of Physician Specialties announced on May 6, 2026, that its past president, Dr. Jerry Allison, was appointed to the National EMS Advisory Council. - Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy made the appointment. - The announcement was made in Tampa, Florida.

The details: - Dr. Jerry A. Allison holds medical and leadership credentials including MD, MSH, FAAFP, FAAEP and CPE. - Allison has worked in rural, urban and international emergency medical systems for more than 35 years. - His past roles include EMS director for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and chief medical consultant for the California EMS Authority. - Allison is currently chief medical officer for Western Healthcare. - Western Healthcare is a management services organization that supports hospitals, especially rural and Critical Access Hospitals. - Allison previously led Molina Healthcare of Texas’ mobile integrated health program, which focused on reducing preventable hospital stays through population health initiatives. - ABPS CEO Jeff Morris said Allison’s background in physician leadership, EMS work and education will be valuable to NEMSAC, especially in rural areas. - Morris said Allison’s work has centered on connecting clinical care delivery, EMS systems and community-based models to improve access and reduce avoidable utilization. - Allison is dually board-certified in emergency medicine by ABPS and the American Board of Family Medicine. - Allison is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Emergency Physicians. - Allison also holds a Certified Physician Executive credential. - Allison serves as past vice president and interim president of the National Association of Mobile Integrated Health Providers. - NEMSAC was established in April 2007. - The council advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS. - Congress authorized NEMSAC to make recommendations related to the nation’s EMS system.

Between the lines: - The appointment reflects a continued federal focus on EMS access, workforce pressure and rural care delivery. - Allison’s mix of hospital, mobile integrated health and EMS leadership suggests NEMSAC is prioritizing practical system-level experience.

What’s next: - Allison will serve on NEMSAC as the council prepares advice and recommendations for federal EMS agencies. - The appointment could shape future discussions on rural EMS support, avoidable hospital use and access to care infrastructure.

The bottom line: - ABPS is placing one of its longtime leaders into a federal EMS policy forum at a time when rural health and emergency response capacity remain under strain.