Dr. Kraig Melville, an emergency medicine physician with more than 30 years of experience, will become St. Mary’s County’s Jurisdictional Medical Director on Oct. 27, 2025, the county commissioners announced Oct. 21.
The part-time position involves providing medical oversight for the county’s Emergency Medical Services Operational Program, including protocols, training, operations and quality improvements. Melville, who holds credentials as MD, BMSc, FACEP and FAAEM, will ensure compliance with state standards under Code of Maryland Regulations Title 30.03.03.03, which outlines responsibilities for jurisdictional directors in EMS systems.
Commissioner President Randy Guy introduced the appointment during the commissioners’ business meeting at the Chesapeake Building. “On behalf of the Commissioners, I would like to welcome Dr. Melville as our new Jurisdictional Medical Director,” Guy said. “His extensive experience will further strengthen local emergency medical services and support the dedicated EMS professionals who serve on the front lines every day.”
Melville trained in emergency medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, completing residency in the early 1990s. He has chaired emergency departments at facilities including Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick and held clinical leadership roles at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. His expertise covers EMS operations, cardiology, toxicology and pediatrics. Melville has contributed to peer-reviewed literature, including studies on polypharmacy challenges for elderly patients in emergency settings and isolated linear skull fractures in children following blunt head trauma.
In a statement, Melville expressed enthusiasm for the role. “I’m honored to join this talented group of EMS professionals,” he said. “Together, we’ll continue advancing emergency care and making a real difference for the people of St. Mary’s County.”
The Jurisdictional Medical Director serves as a liaison between EMS providers and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, reviewing annual medical protocols and advocating for first responders. Responsibilities include auditing controlled substance inventories, summarizing protocol updates for commissioners and supporting community health initiatives. The role, compensated at $120 per hour for up to 20 hours weekly, reports to the Department of Emergency Services director.
St. Mary’s County EMS operates under a hybrid model blending career staff and volunteer squads across seven stations, serving a 372-square-mile area with about 115,000 residents. The system handles roughly 12,000 calls annually, including an average of 217 cardiac arrests each year. In 2024, priority response times averaged 8 minutes, a benchmark sustained through recent graduate training programs. Recent enhancements, such as automated external defibrillator expansions funded in October 2025, aim to boost survival rates in out-of-hospital events.
Melville’s appointment addresses ongoing staffing needs in Southern Maryland’s EMS landscape. The county has debated full-time EMT hiring since 2021, when response delays exceeded 15 minutes in some cases, prompting supplemental contracts. By January 2025, commissioners weighed adding 38 full-time positions to reduce reliance on per-diem workers, a move tied to broader state efforts under the Maryland Emergency Medical Services System.
The Department of Emergency Services, established in 1994, coordinates fire, rescue and EMS through the Emergency Services Board, which includes representatives from volunteer companies and the Sheriff’s Office. This structure ensures integrated responses in a region marked by rural expanses and proximity to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where industrial accidents add complexity to calls. Melville’s background in toxicology aligns with local hazards, such as those from agricultural runoff or base-related incidents.
Residing in Anne Arundel County with his wife, also an emergency physician, and their family, Melville plans to engage directly with county providers. His off-duty pursuits—hiking, fishing, National Park visits and football—reflect a balance common among Southern Maryland professionals navigating high-stress fields.
Commissioners approved Melville’s contract during their Oct. 21 session, part of a broader agenda covering grants and infrastructure. The move bolsters a framework where EMS collaborates with hospitals like MedStar St. Mary’s in Leonardtown for seamless handoffs, critical in a county where 25 percent of calls involve transports over 20 miles.
