Dr. Olinger, or “MO” as he was more commonly known, served as one of the earliest medical directors for Wishard Ambulance service and was the first medical director for Indianapolis EMS. MO was recruited, and subsequently moved to Indianapolis in 1991 to take over medical direction of both Wishard Ambulance Service and IFD. He served in this capacity with honor and really was the forefather of the EMS in Indianapolis. He went on to serve as Indiana’s first State EMS Medical Director in 2014.
In addition to his work in Indianapolis, Dr. Olinger served in Vietnam as a Scout Helicopter Pilot flying hundreds of missions in Vietnam. Additionally he was one of the original members of the Urban Search and Rescue Team assisting at the World Trade Center on 9/11, the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was a leader in the field and respected around the world.
Dr. Olinger was a pioneer in the field of EMS and his impact on the city of Indianapolis will be long lasting.