From Freedom House to Today: The Roots of EMS in Dr. Adeola Kosoko’s Latest ACEP Now Article

Honoring the Roots of Modern EMS: Dr. Adeola Kosoko Published in ACEP Now

As Black History Month concludes, our department proudly recognizes faculty scholarship that highlights the historical foundations of our specialty.

Adeola Kosoko, MD, Associate Professor and Section Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, is featured in ACEP Now with her article titled “The Historic Freedom House and the Roots of Modern EMS Systems.”

In the article, Dr. Kosoko revisits the groundbreaking work of the Freedom House Ambulance Service, established in Pittsburgh in 1967.

Staffed by Black paramedics and developed to serve an underserved community, Freedom House became the first organized EMS service in the United States and helped establish many of the training standards and clinical protocols that define modern pre-hospital care.

Through rigorous education and clinical innovation, Freedom House providers demonstrated that high-quality emergency care could be delivered safely and effectively in the field.

Their work not only transformed emergency response systems nationwide but also created pathways for professional advancement in medicine, nursing, and public health.

Dr. Kosoko’s article highlights how excellence and equity have shaped the evolution of emergency medicine, with innovation driven by a commitment to improving access, opportunity, patient care, and community.

To read the full article, please visit: The Historic Freedom House and the Roots of Modern EMS Systems

Photo credits: National EMS Museum, Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PBS