About Us

After serving in the United States Air Force from 1975-77, Dr. John Blewett moved to Austin to serve as the Medical Director of Brackenridge Hospital from 1977-84. It was there that he met Dr. Don Connell, who was a staff physician in the emergency department. A friendship soon formed from working together for 8 years, which subsequently resulted in the formation of Capitol Emergency Associates (CEA). They became the two founders and co-owners, Drs. John Blewett and Don Connell, having worked together in Emergency Medicine since the mid-1970's, were among the pioneers of full-time Emergency Medicine specialization in Central Texas and the country. Moreover, forming CEA, they began staffing St. David's Hospital in July of 1984, when that hospital first opened its Emergency Department.

Due to the success in physician staffing and quality patient care at St. David's, other hospitals in Austin looked to CEA to staff their emergency departments. In fact, in 1986, South Austin Hospital entered into an agreement with CEA, followed soon after by Round Rock Medical Center in 1987. As a result of the proven quality of work performed by physicians associated with CEA, North Austin Medical Center also contracted with CEA when it opened in 1995. CEA's success and growth continued in July 2006, when it added Georgetown Hospital. Then in March 2009, with an affiliation with St. David's Healthcare Partnership, CEA took over the CTMC emergency department contract. Then in May 2011, CEA took over the Heart Hospital of Austin emergency department contract. Therefore, giving us seven emergency department contracts within the St. David's Healthcare Partnership. In addition, CEA also staffs the four Urgent Care Clinics within the St. David's Partnership located in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Circle C, and Kyle. Most recently, three freestanding emergency facilities have been opened as extensions of larger St. David's facility Emergency Departments. The facility in Pflugerville operates as an extension of St. David's North Austin Medical Center, while the facility in Bee Caves and the facility in Bastrop operate as extensions of St. David's South Austin Medical Center. All these facilities together form the St. David's HealthCare System in partnership with HCA. Consequently, because of the continued success and quality patient care by our group, we have grown from 4 full time physicians to over 100 physicians and midlevel providers.

In January 2007, Dr. Don Connell stepped away from the practice of medicine and retired from CEA. Currently, the new structure of the group consists of Dr. John Blewett, the President of CEA, and 69 other general partners. After two years of employment with CEA, a physician can become eligible for partnership with the group.

Our mission has always been to provide excellent emergency care in a friendly, compassionate manner to all patients presenting to each of our facilities.

To learn more about CEA and possible job opportunities, please contact our COO Steven Blewett, J.D. via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or phone at 512-947-1897.