Change at head of Rock Med, (July 2006)

By EJ Winter

Glen “Raz” Raswyck recently stepped down after 13 years as director of Rock Medicine, a nonprofit organization run by the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc (HAFCI). Raz will be replaced by Wes Fifield, a volunteer with the organization for the past 12 years and former show manager from Sacramento.

Rock Medicine, comprised of a volunteer staff of more than 400 CPR-certified individuals, EMTs, nurses and physicians, works to administer medical and psychological assistance to concertgoers throughout the Bay Area. Beginning in 1973, Rock Medicine was the brainchild of Bill Graham who asked the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics to provide onsite medical assistance at Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin shows in order to ensure the safety of concertgoers.

Almost every night during peak concert season, Rock Med volunteers treat concertgoers suffering from the effects of drugs and alcohol, accidents and violence, and also those suffering from preexisting conditions exacerbated by the concert environment. All treatment, including basic supplies such as aspirin, Band-Aids, earplugs and Gatorade, is given free.

Raswyck was a volunteer from the start, first as a CPR certified individual and later as an EMT. In 1988, then-director Charlie Diamond stepped down and tapped Raz––who had developed strong relationships with the volunteers––to replace him.

Longtime volunteer Bob Student said that Raz was an “awesome" director due to his “ability to work with promoters, articulate Rock Medicine needs and get along with volunteers.” He was “fair, impartial, able to think on his feet, and run three shows at one time.”

Raz was a fixture at Bay Area concerts, and volunteers and concertgoers alike admired his calm attitude and dedication. He worked 60-70 hours a week, completing tasks as varied as booking concerts, loading trucks with supplies, and even emptying the infamous “barf bucket”––all for a modest salary.

Given Raz’s popularity and dedication, some community members wonder why he left. While neither Raswyck nor HAFCI reps commented on the nature of his May 12 resignation, some suggest it is linked to the recent upheavals within HAFCI management and the culture shift led by CEO John Eckstrom.

Raz initially indicated he wished to speak with The Beat, but apparently changed his mind and stopped returning phone calls. Instead, he forwarded the farewell email he had sent Rock Med volunteers. "My hope would be that you give [the new Rock Med leaders] the commitment and dedication you have shown me over and over these last 13 years," Raz wrote. "Rock Medicine has been a great source of lessons learned, connection with hundreds and hundreds of great people, and thousands of cherished memories. Farewell pilgrims, I will miss you all."

According to Student, several longtime Rock Med volunteers decided “if Raz wasn’t going to shows they didn’t want to either.”

A HAFCI press release states, “Fifield’s appointment is the latest step taken by the Clinic to improve operations and expand services for clients in San Francisco and concerts throughout Northern California.”

Fifield says he sees "a great future for Rock Medicine" and looks forward to "working with the hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and energy to this great organization.”