In Memoriam: NAEMT Medical Director Craig Manifold, DO

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) announced the unexpected death of its medical director, Craig Manifold, DO, on Sept. 21.

In addition to serving as NAEMT medical director, Dr. Manifold, a 1993 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, also held other leadership roles at NAEMT, including chair of the NAEMT Military Relations Committee and editor of the AMLS third edition textbook, and participated in many other emergency medical services organizations.

Below is the NAEMT’s statement on Dr. Manifold’s passing.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our esteemed NAEMT Medical Director, Dr. Craig Manifold.

“Dr. Manifold was a true and dear friend to all EMS practitioners in the civilian and military sectors. He devoted countless hours of volunteer service to strengthening the EMS profession through his work in education and advocacy. Dr. Manifold served on the NAEMT Board of Directors as Medical Director, as the chair of the NAEMT Military Relations Committee, Editor of the AMLS third-edition textbook, as an advisor on many EMS issues, and as a mentor and dear friend.

“Brigadier General (Ret)(Bvt)(Dr) Manifold leaves behind a tremendous legacy within the EMS community. He actively participated in many organizations to advance EMS—including the American College of Emergency Physicians, the National Associations of EMS Physicians, the Special Operations Medical Association, the Metropolitan EMS Medical Directors (“Eagles”) Global Alliance, and the National Registry of EMTs, at which he was serving as a member of the Board.

“As an advocate on behalf of Paramedics and EMTs, he helped to educate members of Congress on the critical service EMS practitioners provide to their patients and communities. He was a true patriot on and off the battlefield, seeking to unite people and organizations in the interest of providing better medical care.

“Dr. Manifold served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Health Sciences, School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and as a Medical Director for several EMS agencies in the San Antonio area. He also served as a Joint Surgeon for the Texas Air National Guard, and Commander for the 149th Medical Group of the Texas Air National Guard in San Antonio, until his retirement last year. He was devoted to advancing military medicine and the military medics who served our country.

“Dr. Manifold has left a lasting imprint around the globe and his contributions will live on. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”