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Graduation ceremony held for first responders

By Chris Caldwell 

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Emergency Medical Services students receive their paramedic certificates during graduation ceremonies Aug. 11, 2022 at the Dr. Nathan Essex Nursing, Natural Sciences and Biotechnology Building.

Congratulations to 15 Southwest students who completed the college’s Emergency Medical Services program to become certified paramedics. The students received their certificates during a graduation ceremony Aug. 11, 2022, at the Dr. Nathan Essex Nursing, Natural Sciences and Biotechnology Building on the Union Avenue Campus. 

Becoming a paramedic is the highest level of EMS certification. These students will now perform advanced life support measures, from treating wounds to delivering babies.

EMS Program Coordinator Merry Mattix opened the ceremony saying the cohort of paramedics dedicated over 100 hours in the classroom and to their clinicals to complete the rigorous certificate program. 

Graduate and student speaker Robert Gibson, who is also a firefighter, spoke to his classmates about sacrifice and taking the oath to serve and protect the citizens of the Memphis community. 

Dean of Health and Natural Sciences Dr. Shelia Bouie, Emergency Medical Services Program Coordinator Merry Mattix, student Robert Gibson and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kendricks Hooker at the 2022 EMS paramedic graduation ceremony.
Dean of Health and Natural Sciences Dr. Shelia Bouie,
Emergency Medical Services Program Coordinator
Merry Mattix, student Robert Gibson and Vice
President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kendricks Hooker
at the 2022 EMS paramedic graduation ceremony.

“I’m honored to be here speaking with you today,” Gibson said. “We all know this line of work requires a great deal of sacrifice. We sacrificed a great deal away from our families and we have risked our lives daily to help those in need. We stood together and trusted the process and now we all can celebrate graduating as paramedics.”

The EMS program has three progressive levels of training and licensure: Emergency Medical Technician, Basic EMT and Advanced Paramedic. 

Upon completion of the EMS program, students can work as a private ambulance service paramedic, firefighter paramedic, flight paramedic, emergency management officer or emergency room technician.

“Each morning when I turn on the news you all (paramedics) are always running towards the problem,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kendricks Hooker. “Our community needs more skilled paramedics. I commend you all for choosing a noble and courageous career dedicated to helping people and saving lives.”

For more information about the EMS program, contact Program Coordinator Merry Mattix at 901-333-5400.