Campus News

July 14th, 2026

GC's Paramedic Program director retires

Koon, member of 1st class, dedicated 30 years to the program

Garrett College's Paramedic Program has experienced dramatic changes over its long history – and Jim Koon has been a part of all the progress.

Koon, who graduated from the first Paramedic Program class in 1993, retired as program director June 30th after 30 years of service.

He worked as lead instructor and program coordinator before becoming program director.

"I think there were nine of us in that first class," recalled Koon. "All of us were CRTs [Cardiac Rescue Technicians] and involved in ALS [Advanced Life Support]. That initial program was more or less a bridge class for us.

"Our goal throughout the years was always to keep the program current and improving with the times," added Koon.

"Jim played a pivotal role in developing highly skilled paramedics who now serve communities across the region," said Julie Yoder, GC's dean of continuing education and workforce development, who provides administrative oversight for the program. "Under his leadership, the Garrett College Paramedic Program maintained its national accreditation, strengthened partnerships with regional Emergency Medical Services [EMS] agencies and hospitals, expanded clinical and field education opportunities, and continually improved program outcomes."

Program Coordinator Doug Beitzel said Koon's influence "extended far beyond the classroom."

"He served as a mentor to students, instructors, and EMS leaders alike, always willing to share his knowledge, experience, and encouragement," said Beitzel. "His calm leadership, professionalism, and genuine care for others earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues throughout Maryland's EMS community."

The program initially grew out of a collaboration between Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region I Coordinator Dave Ramsey and GC Dean of Continuing Education Lowell Bender. For many years, it was offered in an upstairs training room of the Frostburg Ambulance Service.

"It was a lot different than it is now," Koon remarked.

The program achieved Maryland state accreditation in 2004, the same year evolving curriculum standards resulted in transitioning it from a one-year to a two-year format. It relocated to the Career Technology Training Center (CTTC) in Accident in 2013 as GC used grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to construct a dedicated classroom and simulation labs, enhancing hands-on training and simulation capabilities.

"Now we have the [patient] mannequins and the ambulance simulator, and advanced educational tools for our students," Koon observed. "Offering an AAS [Associate of Applied Science] degree just didn't seem possible years ago – and now we have it. I'm extremely proud and honored to have been a part of that."

Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president, said Koon's "dedication to quality education helped establish the program as one of the region's premier paramedic training programs."

"His legacy will continue through the hundreds of paramedics he helped educate, the faculty he mentored, and the strong, nationally accredited program he leaves behind," Midcap added.

Koon will remain with Garrett College in an advisory role to assist with the program's leadership transition. Joshua Hook, previously program coordinator, has been appointed program director/lead instructor. Hook will serve as the program's first full-time leader dedicated exclusively to the Paramedic Program.

"Jim's decades of experience and institutional knowledge will help ensure a seamless transition," said Yoder.

Koon said helping students achieve their goals in the ALS field has been rewarding.

"I've had the privilege and honor to work with many dedicated professionals," noted Koon, "helping to build the program and assist a lot of the area's paramedics in advancing their careers."