Gov. Perry Appoints Three to Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services

Gov. Perry has appointed three members to the Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) for terms to expire Jan. 1, 2016. The council helps federal, state and local agencies develop and implement an integrated, statewide program for emergency medical services.

Nora Castaneda-Rivas of Harlingen is marketing director of Treasure Hill Imaging Center. She is a past member of the Texas State Alumni Board and Texas State Technical College Board of Regents. Castaneda-Rivas received a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a master’s degree in education from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. She will serve as a public member on the council.

Ryan Matthews of Holliday is president of Trans Star Inc. and director of Trans Star Ambulance. He is a board member of the Texas Ambulance Association and North Texas Regional Advisory Council on Trauma for Service Area C. He is also past president of the NORTEX  EMS Provider Association, and a volunteer paramedic and fire fighter for Holliday Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Matthews received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. He is being reappointed.

Robert Vezzetti of Austin is a physician at Emergency Service Partners. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, Texas Pediatrics Society and Texas Medical Association. He is also a member of the Travis County Medical Society, Pediatric Alliance of Central Texas, and Dell Children's Medical Center Committee for Quality Improvement and Scripting Committee. Vezzetti received a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and a medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed his general pediatrics residency at Children's Hospital of Austin, and completed the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Fairfax Hospital for Children in Virginia.