Emergency Department
Roosevelt Emergency Department
Walk-In ER patients should use the ER entrance on the West side of the hospital. Space is limited and we ask that a maximum of two visitors be allowed into ER patient rooms.
Our expanded Emergency Department improves efficiency, privacy, safety and overall function. Additional patient rooms, large trauma rooms, bedside computers and an expanded medication room leads to improved efficiency. Along with private patient rooms and additional bathrooms, we also have a dedicated entrance into E.D. with a private waiting area, greatly increasing patient privacy. The overall design of our E.D. incorporates such features as increased room size, locked entry points and better visibility of all patient care areas which translates into a safer environment for patients and staff.
The ER is staffed and equipped for emergencies and patient services 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Board certified ER physicians are available at all times. Our staff is well trained in emergency care and we strive to make the patient experience the best it can be.
When it comes to emergencies that need more specialized care, we are prepared. In an effort to enhance access to trauma and specialty care for residents of Eastern Utah, Intermountain Healthcare and Uintah Basin Medical Center continue to work together in providing Intermountain Life Flight to our area. The helicopter stationed at Uintah Basin Medical Center is one of two Agusta A109 K2 helicopters, which is designed for high-altitude flying conditions that exist in Utah.
We have always taken the needs of our communities very seriously, and have strived to do what is necessary to provide superior care. At UBMC, the patient comes first.
Vernal Emergency Department – Now Open!
The UBH Vernal ER provides a beautiful environment, with state of the art technology. Our staff is trained and ready to provide emergency care to the Vernal community. UBH Vernal ER physicians include Dr. Braxton Duncan, Dr. Jon Kerr, Dr. Adam Nielson, and Dr. Joshua Nelson (rotating). Greg Gardiner is the VP assigned to oversee Vernal Operations, with Tawnie Reynolds, RN overseeing the ER as Department Manager.
Our Vernal ER will include a helipad for patient transport by air. Through our relationship with Intermountain Healthcare, Intermountain Life Flight will provide services, as well as Classic Air (purchased by Intermountain Healthcare in 2021). Gold Cross Ambulance (with back-up support from UBH Emergency Medical Services) will provide emergency medical transport via ground transportation.
Along with emergency services, the UBH Vernal campus expansion will offer expanded radiology (including Xray, MRI and CT), lab, and dialysis services. In the near future, we will also be opening additional clinical space on the second and third level of our new Vernal building.
Roosevelt ED Providers
Amos Burgess, DO –Amos enjoys seeing a broad range of patients and the many challenges emergency medicine offers. Amos specializes in Emergency Medicine and works inside of the Emergency Department at Uintah Basin Medical Center.
Amos is originally from Utah County and then later relocated to the Uintah Basin. Amos enjoys spending his time outdoors, more specifically mountain biking. Amos also loves to travel and visit new places.
Professional Memberships include:
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA)
Colby Duncan, MD – Dr. Duncan was raised in the medical profession, with his father being a successful veterinarian and his mother a nurse. While in college, he volunteered at Primary Children’s Medical Center and at the Riverton Emergency Department. He knew early on that Emergency Medicine was a natural place for him.
Dr. Duncan and his wife have three children and they love enjoying as much time as possible together riding bikes, being outside, camping, etc. Dr. Duncan enjoys basketball, soccer, running, music and home improvement projects of all sorts.
He loves talking to and taking care of people, and says, “You see a lot of hard things in medicine in general, and especially in the Emergency Department. It is always rewarding to me to help take care of another person’s loved one.” Dr. Duncan chose to work at Uintah Basin Medical Center because it is close to family and he enjoys living in a small town, close to the mountains, and working in a rural hospital allows him to be more hands-on and do things that he would not be able to do in a larger Emergency Department.
Jason Larson, MD – Jason enjoys seeing a broad range of patients and the many challenges emergency medicine offers. Jason specializes in Emergency Medicine and works inside of the Emergency Department at Uintah Basin Medical Center.
Jason moved around a lot growing up; finishing high school in Orem. Jason enjoys spending his time outdoors, more specifically boating, skiing, and golfing. Jason also enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to visit new places.
Pete Tanner, MD – Pete enjoys seeing a broad range of patients and the many challenges emergency medicine offers. Pete specializes in Emergency Medicine and works inside of the Emergency Department at Uintah Basin Medical Center.
Pete grew up in Duchesne and briefly left for schooling. Pete enjoys spending his time outdoors, more specifically boating, hunting, and fishing. Pete also enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to visit new places.
Vernal ED Providers
Braxton R. Duncan, DO – Dr. Braxton Duncan was born and raised in Roosevelt, Utah. He grew up helping his parents and siblings at a family-owned veterinarian clinic in Ballard, Utah. He enjoyed playing basketball and soccer in high school. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Utah in 2012. He attended A.T. Still University and was awarded a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017. He specializes in emergency medicine and completed residency in central California at Kaweah Delta Health Care District. He is board certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
The wide spectrum of ages, pathologies, and critical condition of many patients in emergency medicine drew Dr. Duncan to pursue it as a medical specialty. He views caring for patients in the emergency department, often in their greatest hour of need, as a great privilege.
Dr. Duncan met and married Lacy Cornaby in 2012 and enjoys spending time with her and their four children. They have made their home in Vernal, Utah. He also enjoys being outdoors, off-road sports, playing with his kids, learning new skills, basketball and other sports, and finding new hobbies.
Adam S. Nielson, MD – Dr. Adam S. Nielson is excited to join the Uintah Basin Healthcare team. He grew up in Vernal and then attended Brigham Young University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. From there he joined the United States Army and attended The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland where he received his medical doctorate.
He then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine in Tacoma, Washington at the combined Madigan Army Medical Center/University of Washington Emergency Medicine Residency Pro-gram, where he was a Chief Resident during his final year.
Dr. Nielson served his country for 14 years in the US Army where he was deployed for two tours in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star for service.
In his free time, Dr. Nielson can be found enjoying life with his beautiful wife Liz, of twenty seven years, and their seven amazing children.
Jon Kerr, MD – Dr. Jon Kerr graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine where he also received an MBA in Healthcare Management. Following his emergency medicine residency in Stony Brook, NY, he finished a two year critical care fellowship in Manhasset, NY.
Dr. Kerr enjoys practicing in rural environments and loves the mountains of Utah. During his free time, he loves skiing and riding motorcycles. He is married and has five children.
Dr. Kerr has provided coverage in the Roosevelt Emergency Department for years.
Trauma Education
March 2022 (Fall Risks) 1 out of every 3 adults age 65 or older falls each year according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Learn about prevention here.
April 2022 (Distracted Driving) Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for U.S. teens. About seven teens aged 13–19 die every day from motor vehicle crash injuries. Per mile driven, teen drivers aged 16–19 are nearly three times as likely as drivers aged 20 or older to be in a fatal crash. Learn how to prevent here.
May 2022 (“Safe Surroundings: Preventing Violence and Promoting Peace Community by Community”) With a documented rise in violence throughout our nation, the theme “Safe Surroundings“ is both timely and appropriate for our trauma centers to promote. Injury and Violence Prevention professionals from throughout nation have been responding to the rise in intentional injuries and deaths. Raising awareness and supporting violence prevention efforts is more important now than ever. Learn more here.
June 2022 (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness) To increase awareness, June is recognized as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. PTSD is defined by the American Psychological Association as an anxiety problem that develops in some people after extremely traumatic events, such as combat, crime, an accident or natural disaster. Learn more here.
July 2022 (Firework Safety) It’s that time of year when Americans everywhere will be celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with family, friends, and fireworks. Unfortunately, over the past 15 years, there has been an increase in the number of people injured during this festive time. Learn about prevention here.
Sept 2022 (Sports Injuries & Concussions) How Can I Prevent a Sports Concussion? Start With the Right Equipment. Everyone should wear properly fitting, sport-appropriate headgear and safety equipment when playing contact sports or biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, snowboarding, or skiing. You can’t prevent every concussion. But helmets, mouthguards, and other safety gear can reduce the risk of a brain injury. Learn more about preventative measures and how to spot a concussion here.
October 2022 (Bullying Prevention Month): When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time. Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy. Learn more here.
November 2022 (Safety at Home): Maintaining safety at home is something that cannot be accomplished by a single person but needs participation from everyone. There are various aspects that need to be looked into to ensure that home is a safe place for all the members. Safety features like smoke alarms, lockable cupboards for firearm safety, and keeping hazards out of the way to ensure the health and safety of your family is imperative. Likewise, having safety rules at home is another way through which all the occupants at home are able to ensure that safety is maintained. Learn more about home safety here.
December 2022 (Poison Prevention): Each year, approximately 3 million people— many under age 5— swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance. Learn how to keep poisonings from happening in your home here.
January 2023 (Impaired Driving): Weekends and holidays can be dangerous times on our roadways. Two of the most celebrated days of the year, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, also are among the most deadly. Taking personal responsibility for a safe ride saves lives. Education on how to prevent and identify impaired driving can be found here.
February 2023 (Opioid Addiction): Opioids are a class of powerful drugs that are usually prescribed to treat severe pain. If opioids are abused, they can create feelings of intense pleasure or euphoria, but they can also lead to fatal overdose. Opioids are an effective medication when used as prescribed, but they carry a risk of addiction because of their powerful effects. Learn more about recognizing and treating opioid addiction by clicking here.
March 2023 (Fall Risks): Fall prevention is an important topic to consider as you get older. Physical changes and health conditions — and sometimes the medications used to treat those conditions — make falls more likely as you age. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Still, fear of falling doesn’t need to rule your life. To learn more click here.
