28 Medstar EMTs are now certified Paramedics. On August 19 and 20th, the organization honored graduates from programs held at Medstar Medical Education sites in Genesee and Macomb Counties. Paramedics are the highest level of EMS provider, capable of advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities, utilizing advanced airway, cardiac, and other specialized clinical equipment, medications, and procedures.

According to Tyler Zajac, Medstar’s Paramedic Instructor, these dedicated professionals averaged nearly 650 hours of classroom instruction, 280 hours in ambulances and Emergency Rooms, and 250 hours in their Capstone Externships. The required number of clinical hours to graduate is 530, Medstar students averaged over 600. In total, they averaged over eleven hundred hours in the course, while still working their regular EMT shifts. 

Vice President of Clinical and Educational Services, Kevin Wilkinson, addressed both graduating classes. He stressed the importance of compassion on the job. “Your best patient outcomes don’t always come from advanced equipment and medications, but often from holding someone’s hand and listening. Reassuring them and their loved ones that they are getting the best care possible.” 

Medstar’s EMS education program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Emergency Medical Service Programs (CoAEMSP), a designation given to only 8 education programs in Michigan.  CoAEMSP standards require structured classroom instruction, extensive hospital and surgical clinical experience, and measured clinical procedure success.  

Jen Monoghan, Medstar’s Education Manager added, “We continue to invest in the development of our clinical personnel, as well as the resources necessary to exceed the highest EMS education program standards in the country. By providing the clinically focused EMT and paramedic training for our team members, we ensure the most compassionate and advanced care for the patients, communities, and healthcare systems we serve. The dedication and commitment of the graduates is impressive and inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the compassionate care they provide as Medstar paramedics.” 

Newly certified Paramedic Steven Henderson added, “throughout the time I spent in the Paramedic course, it was the people who make up emergency medicine that impacted me most. From our knowledgeable instructors and lab aids to Emergency Room staff, every person added their own element of care. I was grateful to be able to learn from so many walks of emergency medicine.”

Congratulations to new Paramedics: Beth Alvarez, Autumn Anderson, Benjamin Bonathan, Kaleb Campbell, Alyce Carl, Lucas Davis, Avery DePauw, Madeline Gladieux, Tanya Grezeszak, Kylie Hayes, Stephen-Jordan Henderson, Jennifer Jocque, Robert Kilgore, Emilie Lewis, Casimir Luetz, Carlos Mancha, Ryan Rivard, Cameron Rubio, Jacob Saroli, Louis Schutt, Jason Stansfield, Kylie Steinhauser, Alynee Suida, Mikaila Thomas, Mindy Thomas, Steven Van Doeselaar, Jared Vande Voorde and Connor Verduci.

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