Hello-welcome to EMS classes at St. Petersburg College. I am currently serving as the Program Director for the EMS Program, as well as teaching in the EMS, EMS Open Campus, BAS-Public Safety Administration, Nursing and Health Care Administration programs. I am originally a nursing diploma grad, then completed my BSN and my Master's in Nursing as an Adult Emergency/Trauma Clinical Nurse Specialist.  I completed my PhD in Higher Education Administration and Leadership in June, 2007 from Barry University. So I understand the juggling act with work, school, and other commitments! I have been extremely fortunate to have worked in just about all aspects of EMS, having started my career as a Medical Explorer through the Columbus, OH Fire Department. I then became a FF/EMT-Basic and Intermediate. I went on to nursing school, and then went to paramedic school. I have worked in fire-based, hospital-based, third service, military, and public utility model EMS systems. I was fortunate to have been part of the Aeromed team, the medical helicopter service at Tampa General Hospital for 5 1/2 years. I continue to work as a volunteer paramedic. I have served as the Chief Flight Nurse at the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at MacDill AFB and just retired from the Air Force Reserves after 28 years of service in October, 2009. I believe it is important to continue working in the field to maintain critical skills and focus, so I still work as a Critical Care Transport RN/Paramedic with Sunstar's Critical Care Transport Team here in Pinellas County since 2008. Once you have completed PM II, let me know if you are interested in riding a shift with me!

My teaching philosophy is that education should be available to anyone who wants it. However, as with all things worthwhile, what you put into it is what you will receive back. EMS is a TEAM SPORT, not an individual sport, so no one achieves their goal on their own.

I hope that before I retire, all paramedics will be required to complete the AS-EMS degree to sit for the certification exam. This will improve our status as well as our pay. I also believe the future is wide open for anyone who wants a career in EMS or any healthcare field. With additional education, the world is yours! Good luck! I look forward to working with you to help you achieve your goal.