Dr. Ginger Swiderski, MD, Region 5 Medical Director

​Dr. Swiderski was able to follow her dream of working in international medicine in 2002 when she traveled to Kenya and Uganda, through Loyola University, prior to medical school. While in medical scho was able to continue expanding her medical travels, spending time in Guatemala and Ecuador. Dr. Swiderski completed her Emergency Medicine Residency in 2011, graduating from the MSU/KCMS program in Kalamazoo, MI. Since 2012, she has participated in an annual Medical Mission in Peru, each October. Working with a team in an area of limited resources, is challenging yet rewarding. Skills she has learned through these experiences are applicable to Disaster Preparedness. Dr. Swiderski works part-time as the Region 5 Healthcare Coalition Medical Director, and she continues to work full time as an ER Attending within the Bronson Healthcare System. Here she is able to help train future medical students and residents through the current medical school/residency program at WMED School of Medicine. While not working, you can catch her outside with her 2 adorable “puggles”, playing throughout Southwest Michigan, along the sandy dunes, various hiking trails, or in multiple waterways, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Christina Benson, Regional Coordinator

Christina started her EMS career in 2005, receiving her paramedic license in 2007, and later achieving her critical care certification and paramedic I/C. She holds 3 Associate's Degrees and a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry. Christina is currently finishing her Master's Degree in social work and would like to further her career working with first responder mental health. Christina has been apart of the Region 5 Healthcare Coalition since 2016, becoming the coordinator in 2021. In her free time she enjoys teaching EMS classes and runs a local Quick Response Team. 

Taylor Connell, Assistant Coordinator

Taylor comes from EMS and fire, starting her career as a paid- on call firefighter and then becoming a paramedic in 2017. She has received her Bachelor's Degree from Western Michigan University in Sociology and is working towards her Master's Degree in Emergency Preparedness. Taylor still works part time as a paramedic,  paid-on call firefighter, and lab technician for MFR, EMT, and paramedic classes. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, and backpacking with her husband and dog.