Columbia State Community College celebrates first class of dual enrollment EMT graduates

The first class of Emergency Medical Technician dual enrollment graduates has recently been celebrated at Columbia State Community College.

The first class of EMT dual enrollment graduates at Columbia State included Abigail Howell, Tapanga Hayes, Keilei McCrory, and Makayla Cook. These students all came from East Hickman High School in Lyles, Tennessee. The students are part of only the second dual enrollment class of its kind in Tennessee, and their path was made possible by the Governors Give 2.0 grant, which earmarked funds for the equipment and instructor required for the course to run.

Columbia State Community College’s EMS Academy program director, Greg Johnson was quoted in an article posted on the school’s website on the graduates, saying, “We are extremely proud of this group of young ladies who chose to take this step in completing this EMT training. They selflessly gave up many traditional senior year activities to further their education, gain college credit, and become a needed responder for the Hickman County community. Instructor Charlie Seay did an incredible job molding these young ladies into excellent clinicians and providing a foundation of medical knowledge that will further them in the medical careers they choose.”

The program allowed the participating students to finish the necessary training to become certified emergency medical technicians. Interested students must be 18 years old by the end of the program, and must also be a high school senior to be eligible to enroll in the course. Students who do enroll participate in a traditional 15 week, semester long program during their high school’s fall and spring semesters. Most students who participate often give up normal senior social events, athletic competitions as well as their personal time to finish the class.

Dr. Kae Flemming, who serves as Columbia State’s dean of the Health Sciences division, was also quoted about the EMT program, saying, “Columbia State continues to lead the way by taking EMT credentialing classes to high school seniors. Communities also benefit from the availability of qualified EMTs to meet area needs for vital services.”

The job of an EMT is to provide basic life support to someone at the site of injuries and illnesses while also assisting with transport to the hospital.

Columbia State’s vice president for academic affairs Joni Lenig spoke about the school’s EMT program, saying, “The EMT program is one of many programs at Columbia State designed to prepare program completers for employment in field in one year or less. These programs are an excellent choice for college students who seek employable skills so they may work while completing additional higher education.”

The EMT program at Columbia State provides students with the needed practical and didactic training to be able to perform life saving maneuvers. Students also learn how to work in a squad-based environment as well as alone. 

Columbia State’s president Dr. Janet F. Smith talked about the partnership that allowed this dual enrollment course to take place, saying, “This is a model partnership between Columbia State, East Hickman High School and the state for providing an educational program leading to workforce opportunities. These students experience personal accomplishment as they learn lifesaving skills combined with the durable skills of thinking, self-responsibility, teamwork, and communication—a winning combination.”

The EMT program will once again be offered for East Hickman High School students, as well as students of Fairview High School in Williamson County. More information about the EMS program can be gained by visiting Columbia State Community College’s website.