BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Life Link III has announced that Dr. Bjorn Peterson is now serving as Chief Medical Officer for the organization. Dr. Peterson brings extensive experience in working in emergency medicine, both in EMS and pre-hospital critical care. He succeeds Dr. R.J. Frascone, who officially retired from Life Link III following 36 years of service on April 1, 2022.
Dr. Peterson has worked closely with Life Link III for several years through his role as Assistant Medical Director and Emergency Department physician at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has also served as Medical Director for several EMS agencies in the Twin Cities and is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota – Department of Emergency Medicine.
“I am excited to join an organization that combines incredible passion, clinical excellence, and a patient-centered approach to critical care medicine,” says Dr. Peterson. “Life Link III’s reputation has set a high standard for the work ahead of me but I look forward to the challenge as I partner with such an excellent team.”
“Dr. Peterson brings significant experience in working in EMS and pre-hospital critical care, but he also adds a significant knowledge of computer sciences to this role,” says Kolby Kolbet, Chief Clinical Officer. “The combination of his experience makes for an incredible ability to improve clinical system efficiencies and optimize clinical quality improvement efforts through the use of data.”
Dr. Peterson is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, National Association of EMS Physicians, and the National Association of EMS Physicians – Minnesota Chapter. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bethel University and his M.D. from Loma Linda University - School of Medicine.
Says Kolbet, “At Life Link III, we take great pride in clinical excellence and our determination to bring the greatest value to the bedside throughout the transport. Dr. Frascone built the foundation of clinical excellence at Life Link III, and we look forward to seeing Dr. Peterson continue to build on that foundation and adapt to the ever-evolving world of critical care transport.”
About Life Link III
Life Link III operates ten helicopter bases that include Alexandria, Blaine, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing, Rush City and Willmar, Minnesota, and Marshfield, Rhinelander and Rice Lake, Wisconsin. The company plans to open a new base of operations in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in spring 2022. The company’s helicopter and airplane services provide on-scene emergency response and inter-facility transport for patients requiring critical care. Life Link III’s transportation services are accredited by CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transportation Systems), ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety are met. Life Link III is a non-profit consortium made up of the following member-owner organizations: Allina Health, CentraCare Health, Children’s Minnesota, Essentia Health, Fairview Health Services, Regions Hospital/HealthPartners®, Hennepin Healthcare, Marshfield Clinic Health System, St. Luke’s, and HSHS Sacred Heart/St. Joseph’s. www.lifelinkiii.com
