When I was in the
Paramedic Program of Gadsden State Junior College in 1980 and 1981, we were
fortunate to have several Emergency Physicians that participated in our
education. They came to the classroom and lectured as well as stuck around and
helped us improve our skills. When we did our clinical rotations in the
hospital, they would allow us to shadow them as opposed to a nurse. This was a sacrifice on their part I’m sure,
but it made a huge difference in what kind of paramedics we became. I can think of many times that they stuck
their neck out for us, both during school and after, when we were working in
the area.
Our paramedic class was obsessed with being the best. We
wanted to have a reputation in the area as being one of the best (If not the
best) paramedic classes…ever. So, John Blue, who was the primary instructor,
course coordinator, assistant program director and chief bottle washer
(whatever that means), made sure that we had the best of the best teachers. He
did a wonderful job of leading us and instructing us on many topics, however he
knew the importance of exposing us to the doctors that we would be working with
as well. I have always appreciated John’s willingness to share the podium with
others if it meant making us better.
I am sure that after
this many years I would omit someone but I would like to say thank you to those
physicians who gave of their time and knowledge to make our class as good as it
was. John Moorehouse, Howard McVeigh, Jesse “Ace” Austin, Paul Tanaka, Paul
Monahan, John Campbell, Rodney Snead, Joel Sullivan (and some I left out no
doubt) all had a wonderful impact on my career and I’m sure others would agree.
I look at some of the skills that I have today and can directly attribute it to
what I learned from some of the guys mentioned above.
Thank you Doctors for
your willingness to make us better.
Pay attention and listen to the sayings
of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
Proverbs
22:17
