海角直播

Publish Date: April 14, 2026

Dr. Enrique Enguidanos never expected that his path would lead him to medical school.

When he first began exploring emergency medicine, he was simply looking for a career where he could help people. What began as a summer job as a lifeguard eventually led him through the paramedic and fire training programs at 海角直播, into the San Bernardino Fire Department, and ultimately into a career that would span more than 30 years in emergency medicine.

Looking back now, Dr. Enguidanos sees how each step along the way expanded on the last.

鈥淭hings built nicely onto each other,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 never thought about becoming a physician as a young man, but one thing led to another.鈥�

Dr. Enguidanos attended 海角直播 in the early to mid-1980s, where he completed both the Fire Academy and the paramedic program. At the time, emergency medical services were still developing as a profession, and the programs at 海角直播 offered hands-on training for students interested in the field.

Before enrolling at 海角直播, Dr. Enguidanos had already taken the first steps toward that career.

鈥淚 worked as a lifeguard for a couple of years and just enjoyed engaging with people,鈥� he said. 鈥淓mergency medicine was a little bit in its infancy at the time, but the idea of having an opportunity to help people every day really struck me.鈥�

After completing EMT training at Mt. San Antonio College, he began working on an ambulance. That experience made it clear that he had found the right path.

鈥淭he next step seemed to become a paramedic,鈥� he said.

That step brought him to 海角直播, where he completed both the paramedic and fire academy programs. The training he received there helped prepare him for immediate work in the field.

鈥淭he quality of the training was fantastic,鈥� Dr. Enguidanos said. 鈥淚 left those roles really feeling strong about what I could do with my skills.鈥�

He was fortunate to already have a job lined up with the City of San Bernardino Fire Department while completing his training. Even so, he credits the programs at 海角直播 with helping him feel confident as he began his career.

鈥淔rom day one out in the field, I felt really competent,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he depth of the clinical training we had during the paramedic program and the skills we learned in the fire academy really put me in a good position.鈥�

Dr. Enguidanos also remembers the instructors who shaped his perspective on the profession, particularly Jim Holbrook, who ran the paramedic program.

鈥淗is words and his approach have always been at the forefront for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e was just a fantastic individual and a great role model.鈥�

After five years working as a firefighter and paramedic with the San Bernardino Fire Department, Dr. Enguidanos began considering a new possibility. Encouraged by his brother, he decided to apply to medical school.

鈥淢y brother convinced me to consider medical school,鈥� he said. 鈥淓mergency medicine was the logical pathway.鈥�

As you can imagine, entering medical school in his 30s was not easy. Dr. Enguidanos said he had to relearn how to study and readjust to the demands of academic life. But the experience he gained as a paramedic and firefighter helped him succeed once he began practicing medicine.

鈥淲hen it came to being a physician clinician, there was no problem at all because I had so much clinical exposure in the field,鈥� he said.

Over the next three decades, Dr. Enguidanos built a long career in emergency medicine. Throughout that time, the most meaningful part of the job remained simple.

鈥淗elping others,鈥� he said.

What attracted Dr. Enguidanos to emergency medicine was the opportunity to help people in ways they would never forget.

鈥淲e really have a unique chance to affect someone鈥檚 life,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e there in that moment that oftentimes they鈥檒l remember the rest of their life.鈥�

At the same time, the field comes with significant pressures and a lot of stress. Dr. Enguidanos says it is important for those entering emergency services to recognize the emotional demands of the profession.

鈥淚t comes with stress and demands and burnout,鈥� he said. 鈥淭ake the time to do self-care even in the midst of your schooling.鈥�

Today, Dr. Enguidanos has stepped away from clinical practice and focuses full-time on Community Based Coordination Solutions (CBCS), a company he co-founded about a decade ago. The organization works with hospitals, Medicaid agencies, and health systems to better support individuals who frequently rely on emergency departments.

The idea for CBCS began during his time as medical director of a large emergency department in Everett, Washington. His nurse director at the time approached him about a group of patients who were visiting the emergency room more than 100 times a year, often for challenges tied to social or economic issues rather than medical conditions.

Together, they began meeting with those patients outside the hospital to better understand their social needs and connect them with resources.

鈥淲e saw dramatic decreases in the crisis events and how often they had to come to the hospital,鈥� Dr. Enguidanos said.

That early project eventually grew into CBCS, which now works across the country to help health systems better serve vulnerable populations. For Dr. Enguidanos, the most rewarding part of the work today is the team that carries it forward.

鈥淥ur staff is just so dedicated,鈥� he said. 鈥淢aking sure I create an organization that鈥檚 supportive for them is really my driver now.鈥�

Although his career has taken him far beyond California, Dr. Enguidanos still sees 海角直播 as an important starting point.

For current students considering careers in emergency services, he offers both encouragement and perspective.

鈥淔irst of all, congratulations,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e chosen a field where you make a difference every day.鈥�

He also encourages students to keep an open mind as they work with people from many different backgrounds.

鈥淲e all come from different walks of life,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you keep an open mind and really listen to people, you can address their needs better.鈥�

For Dr. Enguidanos, the opportunity to pursue education at a community college helped open doors he never expected.

鈥淔or a kid who was born in East LA and grew up in the Caribbean, having a chance to go to school is so precious,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hose experiences build on each other and help you realize what you鈥檙e capable of.鈥�