Former Winfield city council member’s emergency medical care provider certification suspended by IDPH following sexual assault conviction

WINFIELD - Former Winfield city council member Ryan Rees' emergency medical care provider certification was suspended indefinitely following a conviction of assault causing bodily injury or mental illness and ordered to complete a sex offender program.

Rees' certification was suspended by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) on May 7, 2019. If Rees completes the terms and conditions of suspension outlined by IDPH, he is eligible for a two-year probation.

IDPH also proposed a civil penalty against Rees in the amount of $250.

Rees served on the Winfield City Council from 2010 to Dec. 31, 2017, serving two terms. He lost in a reelection race on Nov. 7, 2017.

Rees received a deferred judgment in the Iowa District Court for assault causing bodily injury or mental illness, a serious misdemeanor, on Jan. 25, 2018, according to a notice of proposed action from the IDPH.

Rees was placed on supervised criminal probation for two years and ordered to complete a sex offender program. He received a $315 civil penalty.

On Oct. 20, 2017, The News reported that Rees was accused of sexual assault. He was charged on May 31, 2017, of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, according to Iowa Courts Online. The offense occurred on May 23, 2017. It is unclear whether the suspension of Rees' certification was as a result of this incident.

Rees' suspension is subject to terms and conditions. He is eligible to apply with the Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services for rescission of the suspension of his certificate once he has completed the requirements.

The requirements include updating his personal information with IDPH including his address, phone number and email; providing IDPH with information regarding successful completion of the court-ordered sex offender evaluation program; full payment of the $250 civil penalty; completion of eight hours of continuing education in ethics based on the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for the EMT level; and successfully completing eight hours of continuing education in sexual harassment or harassment based on the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for the EMT level.

IDPH can deny an application for issuance or the renewal of an emergency medical care provider certificate if it finds the applicant or certificate holder has been found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor.