EMT Students

Twenty-seven high school students from West-MEC schools including Cactus, Centennial, Copper Canyon, Greenway, Independence, Ironwood, Peoria, Raymond S. Kellis, and Sunrise Mountain completed the hands-on Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course at Glendale Community College on May 15. The students earned 11.5 college credits and are now eligible to take the National Registry exam to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians.

A slideshow presentation highlighting the high school students semester long participation in the Emergency Medical Technician program at Glendale Community College drew laughter throughout the classroom. However, the significance of this program became clear when GCC EMT instructor Chris Coughlin commented to the class, “I would not have been able to complete this type of course when I was in high school.”

This interactive, real world course was provided to students through an educational partnership created by West-MEC. “West-MEC is excited to provide students an opportunity to explore career paths while they are attending high school. These diligent high school students have been instructed by leaders in the medical profession and as a result they gained a head start in the competitive health care field,” said Greg Donovan, West-MEC Superintendent. Megan Price, a recent graduate from Ironwood High School who earned the top grade in the EMT course, plans to pursue a career in the field of nursing. Megan stated, “This program is great for any student who is interested in the medical field. I am thankful that I was selected for this program. It really made a difference in my future.”