MONROE COUNTY TO TERMINATE CONTRACT WITH MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND PLACES DIVISION CHIEF ON SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY

MONROE COUNTY TO TERMINATE CONTRACT WITH MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND PLACES DIVISION CHIEF ON SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY

MONROE COUNTY, FL—The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) officials were made aware this morning of grand jury indictments issued against Monroe County Fire Rescue and Trauma Star Medical Director Dr. Sandra Schwemmer and MCFR EMS and Trauma Star Division Chief Andrea Thompson stemming from a 2022 investigation.

The County is in the process of terminating its contract with Schwemmer’s company, effective immediately. The County paid Schwemmer’s company $124,842.50 annually to provide medical director services for MCFR’s paramedics and flight nurses.

Key West Fire Rescue Medical Director Dr. Antonio Gandia has agreed to step in and become Monroe County’s temporary medical director and will assist MCFR in any capacity needed.

Thompson, hired on July 30, 2001, has been suspended without pay pending a pre-determination hearing. Deputy Chief R.L. Colina will directly oversee the division, effective immediately. The pre-determination hearing, which is used to review an employee’s status following an arrest or other disciplinary action, has not yet been set. Thompson’s total annual salary is $151,127.87.

The latest indictments follow the grand jury’s decision last week to indict former MCFR Chief Flight Nurse Lynda Rusinowski, who was involved in medical drug-related misconduct within the department. Rusinowski resigned on Aug. 19, 2022 before a pre-determination meeting was scheduled.

“These are serious criminal charges brought forward from a separate review by the State Attorney’s Office independent of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigation, and we are taking these allegations very seriously,” said Acting County Administrator Kevin Wilson. “We will follow due process during our internal investigations while we await formal court proceedings. Our first priority is to ensure that the County’s emergency services continue to provide excellent care to our residents and visitors without interruptions.”

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