Second Annual Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation Scholarship Winners Announced

   We are proud to announce the 2010 winners of the Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation Scholarship. Throughout his 30-year EMS career, Robert Nixon, MBA, EMT-P, 1950-2008, dedicated himself to educating EMS professionals and served on EMS Magazine's editorial advisory board for many years. The scholarship was created in his memory by Bob's family to provide access to educational opportunities for deserving EMS professionals. Each winner received a three-day core conference registration and $1,000 to pay for travel and lodging expenses at EMS EXPO in Dallas, TX, September 29-October 1.

   Joshua B. Holloman, BS, NREMT-P, training officer for Johnston County, NC, entered EMS as a cadet at age 15. After high school, he obtained an Associate of Applied Science degree and became a state-certified paramedic at age 19. After graduation, he began working full time for Johnston County and continued his education at Western Carolina University. When he became an EMT instructor, he discovered his passion for education. At age 21, he was promoted to lieutenant (shift supervisor), where he was responsible for multiple areas of EMS operations. Josh graduated from WCU in 2007 with a BS and is currently in his final semester of the Master of Health Science program. In July 2008, he became EMS training officer, where he is now responsible for training in the system where he got his start. "It's a great honor to receive an award that recognizes a former EMS professional who was all about advancing the education side of the profession," says Holloman. "Mr. Nixon's vision is definitely an inspiration to me. Attending EMS EXPO is an excellent opportunity for me to learn about national trends and speak to national leaders and bring that information back to our up-and-coming system. I'm very excited about getting new ideas and hearing about the state-of-the-art medicine that's out there."

   Leanne de Kok, an EMR with a volunteer emergency service department in Alberta, Canada, and her EMT husband, who works for the same agency, had already planned their trip to Dallas when she was notified that she won this year's scholarship. In the rural area where they live, there aren't a lot of opportunities for continuing education, so de Kok and her husband read everything EMS-related they can get their hands on, including textbook chapters, and had decided no matter what it cost, they would find a way to attend this year. At EXPO, she says, they will gather as much information as possible, both in seminars and the exhibit hall, and take it back to their rural department. Next January, de Kok hopes to attend EMT school and then has her sights set on becoming a paramedic.

   "Needless to say, this will take some doing, since the cost of tuition for paramedic training is over $30,000," she says, "but I've come to realize how important continuing education is in our field. Robert Nixon was a long-time advocate of continuing education and set the bar high for those of us who follow. Winning the award this year has been very humbling for me, especially noting the accomplishments of the previous winners and Mr. Nixon himself. It has inspired me to learn as much as I can and to put my best foot forward in this amazing journey, advocating learning as much as possible and trying to set a good example for others who are just beginning their career in EMS."