Crafton Hills College Welcomes Dr. Dukes as New Medical Director for Paramedic Program

Publish Date: July 29, 2026

Crafton Hills College is proud to welcome Dr. Seth Dukes as the new Medical Director for its highly respected Paramedic Program, bringing with him a wealth of emergency medicine experience, strong community partnerships, and a passion for preparing the next generation of paramedics.

As Medical Director, Dr. Dukes will provide medical oversight for the Paramedic Program in accordance with the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). In this role, he will collaborate with program leadership to ensure the curriculum reflects current evidence-based practice, supports student competency, and maintains the high educational and clinical standards required for accreditation. His leadership will help ensure graduates are prepared to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate prehospital emergency care.

For Dr. Dukes, emergency medicine has been a calling since high school. After originally planning to become an orthopedic surgeon, his medical school experiences led him to discover his passion for emergency medicine and pre-hospital care. During his residency, he was inspired by a physician who served as an EMS medical director, opening the door to a career that combined medicine with field response.

After completing his emergency medicine residency at Loma Linda University, Dr. Dukes pursued advanced fellowship training in EMS and disaster medicine in New York, where he also worked as a SWAT physician and in event medicine. He returned to Southern California in 2016 and has since become a respected leader in emergency medical services throughout the region.

His appointment is especially meaningful because of his strong ties to the local community and extensive experience in emergency medical services. A Yucaipa resident, Dr. Dukes serves as an emergency medicine physician at Loma Linda University Medical Center and as Medical Director for CAL FIRE in Yucaipa. He also provides medical care at major public events, including the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium. His work throughout the region will provide Crafton students with valuable opportunities to learn alongside a physician they will encounter throughout their careers.

"Students will get to see their medical director in action," said Amanda Ward, Associate Dean of Public Safety. "They'll work beside him during clinical experiences, learn directly from him, and eventually, after graduation, they'll be giving patient reports to him in the field. That's an incredible learning opportunity."

Ward noted that Dr. Dukes' extensive professional network will help expand clinical training opportunities for students, particularly as healthcare systems continue to recover from limitations created during the COVID-19 pandemic. His relationships with hospitals, physicians, and EMS agencies are expected to open new doors for students to gain hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings.

Dr. Dukes is also excited about introducing students to emerging advances in emergency medicine. Among the innovations already making their way into local EMS systems are the use of blood products in ambulances to treat critically injured trauma patients before they reach the hospital—a lifesaving advancement that represents the future of pre-hospital care.

While he brings new ideas and connections to the program, Dr. Dukes says his primary goal is simple.

"I don't necessarily want to change what Crafton is doing," he said. "I want to help maintain the high level the program has already achieved. If there are opportunities to expand student experiences and provide additional exposure, I'm happy to help make those happen."

College President Dr. Kevin Horan welcomed Dr. Dukes during a recent campus visit, noting that his leadership comes at an exciting time as Crafton Hills College continues expanding its healthcare and public safety programs to meet growing workforce demands.

With Dr. Dukes joining the team, the Crafton Hills College Paramedic Program continues its tradition of excellence—providing students with exceptional clinical training, strong community partnerships, and access to leaders who are shaping the future of emergency medical services.