Doing Whatever It Takes
Life in the ER can be hectic, but Dr. Kevin Schmidt wouldn’t have it any other way.
For some people, the words “fun” and “work” don’t belong in the same sentence. However, for Dr. Kevin Schmidt – one of the emergency department physicians at San Joaquin Community Hospital (SJCH) – merging his personal passions with his professional expertise is just an excuse to double up doing what he loves.
This month – for the 17th consecutive year – he’ll have that opportunity at the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.
“My love for jazz music goes back many years,” said Dr. Schmidt, who hosted a local jazz radio show for a year. “And as a physician, you have skills not everyone has. To be able to enjoy the jazz music I love, and be a resource to the community at the same time is a privilege.”
Though some years pass without incident, Dr. Schmidt’s presence is vital to the overall safety of festival attendees. Just last year, a young woman went into labor on festival grounds. Though he didn’t have to perform an on-site delivery, Dr. Schmidt was able to reach the woman’s doctor and coordinate with the hospital to ensure her safe arrival.
“You never know what is going to happen,” Schmidt said. “It could be a woman going into labor, or someone might be having chest pain. My job is to be there to assist them and to make sure they receive the treatment they need.”
As unpredictable as a day at the Jazz Festival can be, it’s just another day in the life of an ER doctor.
“The ER is a place unlike any other,” Schmidt said. “You never know when someone having a stroke or heart attack is going to come through the door; we have to be prepared for anything.”
Though Schmidt knows a thing or two about administering life-saving treatment, thanks to an untimely stroke, he knows what it’s like to be on the other side too.
“When I had my stroke, I was admitted to another hospital in town,” he said. “But I told them to take me to San Joaquin Community Hospital because I know it’s the place that provides the best care.”
And for Schmidt, providing the best care is what it’s all about.
“Whether I’m out at a community event – like the jazz festival – or in the ER at San Joaquin Community Hospital, my focus is always on doing whatever I can to help the people I’m caring for through a difficult situation. As a child, you dream about saving lives. For me, it’s a reality every day.”
