MD Ambulance changes its name to Medavie Health Services West

Service’s rebranding part of consolidation aimed at finding ‘efficiencies,’ says official

After 42 years as MD Ambulance, Saskatoon’s paramedic service is changing its name.

MD Ambulance on Thursday announced that it’s now part of Medavie Health Services West, an arm of the parent company that brought it together with Guardian Ambulance and Prairie EMS — both of which operate in Alberta — under the same umbrella.

Gerry Schriemer, Medavie Health Services West’s chief operating officer, said the consolidation is aimed at finding “efficiencies” through the companies’ standard business model, and patients will notice only subtle changes — such as crests on uniforms.

“Nobody’s losing their jobs. Nobody’s pay is changing. Nobody’s schedule is changing,” Schriemer said Thursday, adding that the consolidation will allow better sharing of technology and best practices between the services.

MD Ambulance was founded in 1976 by Michael Dutchak and his son David. The family sold the business to Medavie in 2013 for an undisclosed price.

David Dutchak said at the time that the sale was aimed at ensuring a long-term future for the company.

Today, the ambulance service runs 27 vehicles and employs 174 people in Saskatoon.

Schriemer said its ambulances put on about one million kilometres each year, and that the company plans to rebrand them slowly to ensure financial responsibility.