Director of California Emergency Medical Services Resigns
On Friday, Cesar Aristeiguieta resigned as director of the California Emergency Medical Services Authority, an agency that came under scrutiny this year for poor oversight of paramedics statewide, the Sacramento Bee reports. His resignation takes effect Dec. 31.
Aristeiguieta said, "I'm definitely not leaving because I've received any political pressure, and it's not disappointment or lack of fulfillment." He added, "It just seemed like a good time to transition back to the private sector."
Aristeiguieta will become the director of emergency medical services for a Manhattan Beach-based company that supplies Los Angeles-area hospitals with physicians on short notice. He also will treat patients.
Sabrina Lockhart, spokesperson for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), said Dan Smiley, deputy director of EMSA, will take over as director until the governor appoints a successor (McIntosh, Sacramento Bee, 12/15).