Campus News
May 18th, 2024
GC's 20th paramedic class earns certificates
Graduates celebrate achievement while mourning fallen classmate
Photo by John Rudd
Garrett College graduated its 20th paramedic certificate class last Tuesday night at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. Pictured, left to right, are Leader Instructor Josh Hook, Jocelyn Darrah (Ridgeley), Ashley Teter (Maysville), Shannon Halley (Frederick), Ganene Yoder (Accident), Sam Martin (Meyersdale), Tyler Thomas (Frostburg), Carson Snyder (Cumberland), Brandon Lynch (Ridgeley), Samuel Arnone (Cumberland), Urias Peachey (Salisbury), Isaiah Carrington (Accident), Trey Corbin (Levels), Kirsten Miller (Mt. Savage), Cassidy Overstreet (Frostburg), and Amanda Enos (Berlin).
Joy and heartbreak are emotions common to the paramedic field. Both were in evidence last Tuesday night as Garrett College recognized the 20th paramedic program class during graduation exercises in the Performance Arts Center at Garrett College.
"You will experience it all," promised keynote speaker Bill Seifarth, chief executive officer of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. "You will help newborns as they breathe their first – and seniors as they breathe their last."
The dichotomy of emotions were visible as the students took pride in their achievements while mourning the loss of a classmate who was not present. Lena Schell died unexpectedly on April 22nd, just 22 days short of graduating.
"Lena's dream was to become a paramedic and she was so close to reaching that goal," Lead Instructor Josh Hook told Schell's 15 classmates, who were wearing black ribbons in her honor. "I encourage you all to live through Lena's examples of hard work, dedication, and the desire to never quit."
Schell's was the final graduate's name called, with fiancé Jason Didawick and daughter Ashley Cook accepting Schell's certificate in her place. Schell also received state and national paramedic recognition, with Didawick and Cook also accepting those honors in her stead.
Hook noted the graduates' chosen field will include "highs and lows, successes and failures, because that's the business we're in." He added that the graduates were "fine clinicians" – with an overall class grade-point average of 91.29 – and thanked their support instructors and preceptors "for your support and dedication in working with these students."
The program's top students – valedictorian Isaiah Carrington and salutatorian Jocelyn Darrah – also spoke to their classmates.
"We finally did it," said Carrington, who finished with a 97.36 grade-point average. "The light at the end of the tunnel has finally arrived."
Carrington noted the rigor of the program, which included a minimum of 477 clinical hours and more than 1,000 total hours, including classroom time.
Darrah reminded her classmates that they were now "part of a profession that holds the power to change lives."
Janelle Martin, medical director of Garrett College's paramedic studies program, encouraged the graduates to embrace the positives and potential provided by their career field.
"I have two challenges for you tonight," said Martin. "First – go save some lives . . . and, second, be compassionate – always."
Seifarth – a member of Garrett College's first paramedic class in 1994 – advised the graduates to "balance the good with the bad, the joy with the sorrow."
"Never stop learning and keep improving," added Seifarth. "Maintain competency and currency."
Julie Yoder, Garrett College's dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, emphasized some of the key non-technical aspects of the graduates' chosen field.
"Your ethical and professional behavior should always be at the forefront of your mind," said Yoder.
"Those actions are a reflection of you, your coworkers, your employer, and, ultimately, of this program," continued Yoder. "Continue to make us proud and inspire others to pursue this demanding yet rewarding career."
Steve Adams, the program's clinical coordinator, noted that the graduates not only met total training hours, but also "a minimum number of patients with specific points of contact that covered a specific range of skills."
Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap was one of several speakers to acknowledge the support the graduates received along the way.
"This is a significant milestone not only for the graduates, but also their families and friends," noted Midcap. "This is a challenging program with its more than 1,000 hours of classwork and training. That's a lot of time away from loved ones, while also balancing jobs and other responsibilities."
GC's paramedic studies program prepares students to provide pre-hospital assessment and care for patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and traumatic injuries. Areas of study include: an introduction to emergency medical services systems; roles and responsibilities of the paramedic; anatomy and physiology; medical emergencies; trauma; special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation.
"The ALS program is designed to educate skilled, well-trained advanced life support providers for the communities of Allegany and Garrett counties and surrounding areas," said Doug Beitzel, ALS program coordinator at Garrett College.
Graduates are able to test at the national and state levels to earn paramedic certification.
Three students –Carrington, Shannon Halley, and Ganene Yoder – also earned their Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paramedic Studies. Garrett College paramedic students can use the workforce training credential toward fulfilling associate degree requirements.
A new paramedic class will be starting this fall, with applications due at the end of June.
Applications or questions about the program can be directed to Doug Beitzel, who can be reached at 301-387-3772 or doug.beitzel@garrettcollege.edu
