Institute of Health Management
in Mass Destruction Defense


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Richard Schwartz

Emergency Management Coordinator



University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-
706.542. (voice)
706. (fax)



Educational Background

Dr. Schwartz began his career in medicine as an Army officer, completing his residency in Emergency Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center after graduating from Wayne State University School of Medicine. He later served with the Special Forces as Group Medical Officer, Diving Medical Officer, and as an Emergency Physician with the Joint Special Operations Command (Airborne). He completed his military career as Chief of Emergency Medicine at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. Dr. Schwartz is presently the Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. He along with his colleagues created the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) programs that now consist of four courses with a fifth program in development. Drs. Schwartz and Coule developed the concept of the DISASTER Paradigm (Detection, Incident command, Scene Safety and Security, Assess Hazards, Triage/Treatment, Evacuation, Recovery), a useful mnemonic for managing a disaster scene; as well as the concept of MASS Triage. The NDLS Programs are now taught in most states and are becoming the national standard for disaster medicine education. Dr. Schwartz is a proven innovator in the field of preparedness and response training for Disaster Medicine.

Roles and Responsibilities

In support of the proposed Department of Homeland Security University Based Center of Excellence, Dr. Schwartz will be actively engaged is research to improve the methods of treatment of victims, expedited handling of large numbers of casualties, situational awareness, and resource management. Additionally he will support the further dissemination of the courses recently developed in order to enhance the level of training and readiness in this country.

Professional Affiliations

- SRT Physician, Columbia County Sheriff�s Special Response Team
- Director, Medical College of Georgia, Emergency Medical Support Program. FBI
- Medical Program Director, Augusta Richmond County 911
- Chairman, SAEM Disaster Interest Group
- AMA Committee on Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness
- Director, Center of Operational Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia (January 2003-September 2004)
- Director of Academic Programs, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia (May 2001-Dec 2001)
- Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director Medical College of Georgia (1998-2001)
- Clinical Teaching Faculty Medical College of Georgia (1996-1998)
- Chief Emergency Medicine Residency, Madigan Army Medical Center (1995-1996)
- Program Director and Instructor, Special Forces Diving Medical Technicians Course (1991-1993)
- Instructor, Special Forces Medic Sustainment Training (1990-1991)

Research Interests

Dr. Schwartz is very active is research pertaining to improving the methods employed in austere and disaster medical situations. Additionally he has proven to be very innovative in the use of technology and holds a patent on one such device. His relevant publications include three Disaster Medicine text books (editor) and chapters in three additional texts. Dr. Schwartz has published extensively in the field with numerous abstracts and peer reviewed articles pertaining to Disaster Medicine.