Disaster Medicine

Frank Caruso began his career in 1983 as a PA in emergency medicine and orthopedics. He worked in a variety of medical centers and health maintenance organizations in New York City. In 1994, he was offered a position as Chief PA for the department of orthopedic surgery at Wake Forest University. Dr. Caruso presently serves as Manager of the department of orthopedic surgeries satellite APP’s and Co-Director of the Orthopedic PA Fellowship and precepts students from a number of Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner programs throughout the state. In the state of North Carolina, Dr. Caruso has served on several committees for the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA) and is a Director at Large for the Piedmont Association of Physician Assistants. Nationally, he is the Chairperson for the Disaster Association of Physician Assistants which is a Special Interest Group sponsored by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). Dr. Caruso is a recognized local, state and national speaker on numerous musculoskeletal and disaster medicine topics. In 2015 he was invited to the White House to represent AAPA and to work on the “Stop the Bleed Program” sponsored by the National Security Council. In 2015 he was a member of a workgroup that wrote the National Healthcare Disaster Certification Exam (NHDP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. As adjunct faculty Frank teaches in the post-graduate PA program for the State of New York at Stony Brook and at Lenoir-Rhyne Doctoral Nursing Program in Hickory NC. Most recently adjunct faculty, University of Lynchburg – Disaster Medicine. In NC Frank is an active member of the local fire department, church and civic club. Frank has been involved in the fire and EMS service since 1974 and has held the rank of Captain in the Fire Department and Lieutenant of the Rescue Squad, he still maintains his NC paramedic certification. On a national level he serves as Deputy Commander for NC-1 a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) which is part of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). On the state Level he is a member of State Medical Assistance Team (SMAT). On a local level he is EMT instructor for Clemmons Fire Department and is certified to teach Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and International Life Support (ITLS) courses. On personal level Frank enjoys boating, hiking, spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and playing the accordion. He presently resides in Clemmons NC with his wife and two rescue dogs.