When I was first introduced to the techniques that Kip Teitsort wanted to teach EMS professionals, I immediately recognized their value. As a physician, I occasionally encounter aggressive or angry patients, particularly when I refuse to refill narcotic prescriptions. These situations can be unpredictable and intimidating because I have no way of knowing if the patient will escalate to violence.
Before taking the DT4EMS class, I had no self-defense training. If I had been attacked, I likely would have been defenseless. My nurses, untrained in de-escalation or self-protection, would have had no way to assist me and would probably have fled the scene. I personally dislike confrontation and would typically try to walk away from any threatening situation. However, after completing my first DT4EMS training, I now feel confident in my ability to defend myself and my staff in the event of an attack. The skills I learned extend beyond the healthcare setting—I now know how to protect myself even in a public situation. If I weren’t completely confident in the effectiveness of DT4EMS, I wouldn’t endorse this program.
Dr. Newton is a board-certified family medicine physician currently practicing at the Gainesville Clinic in Gainesville, MO. In addition to managing a full patient schedule, he serves as the medical director for the Gainesville Health Care Center and oversees two nurse practitioners.
In 2004, Kip Teitsort, founder and master instructor of DT4EMS, invited Dr. Newton to become the medical director for the program. Since then, Dr. Newton has played an instrumental role in shaping DT4EMS LLC, contributing his medical expertise to its curriculum and training programs.
Dr. Newton’s dedication to public safety extends beyond healthcare. In 2007, he joined his local volunteer fire department as a firefighter and first responder. Today, he serves as the assistant chief and fire instructor for the department, actively leading training exercises and responding to both fire and medical emergencies. He is also an adjunct instructor for the Missouri University Fire & Rescue Training Institute and the medical director for the West Plains Fire Department Hazmat Team (Region G) in West Plains, Missouri.
Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Dr. Newton joined the U.S. Marine Corps immediately after graduating high school. Following his service, he attended the University of Alaska in Juneau before transferring to Rochester University in New York to complete his undergraduate degree in Neuroscience. He then pursued his medical degree at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, completing his residency in Family Medicine in Selma, Alabama. Since 1999, he has been practicing in Gainesville, Missouri, where he continues to serve his community in both medical and emergency response capacities.
