Steven Bott, MD is well versed in crisis management. His roles include cardiac and trauma anesthesiologist at the University of Utah, and medical director, flight physician, and mechanical circulatory support transport program director with AirMed, the university's critical care air medical transport program that represents six helicopters, two airplanes, and 10 separate flight teams 24/7. He had also commanded a federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) for 10 years, an experience that proved critically important during the pandemic.
“As the pandemic pushed people out of their comfort zones, strong leaders emerged in the process,” said Dr. Bott.
DMATs, operated by the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), are designed to provide high-quality rapid-response medical care when natural or man-made disasters overwhelm state, local, tribal, or territorial resources. After leading emergency response teams in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and others, Dr. Bott already knew how to work in a rapidly...