Paramedic With a Passion: Meet the 2006 EMS Advanced Education Scholarship Recipient

     Mark Adams, CEP, of Sells Indian Health Service in Sells, AZ, had hoped to send several employees to this year's EMS EXPO in Las Vegas, but most of his training budget went to support the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. He's just pleased that one of his employees will be attending, thanks to the EMS Advanced Education Scholarship award, which was recently awarded to Phillip Weaver, EMT-P.

     "If I can't send several people to the EXPO, sending Phillip is the next best thing," says Adams. "Phillip will return from his experience and pass along the knowledge he gains to his coworkers. This one scholarship will essentially be 19."

     Weaver, who entered EMS in 1996 and became a paramedic in 1998, is passionate about learning and has the certifications to prove it.

     "Early in my career, I took a PALS and ACLS recertification class, and I guess my eagerness caught the attention of the instructor, who recommended me for the AHA instructor courses," he says. "I have since maintained my status in those areas and teach regularly for that same instructor. I also teach BLS/CPR and coordinate CPR training for all employees of Indian Health Services Sells Indian Hospital. I hold current certifications in NREMT-P, GEMS, PHTLS, AMLS, PPC, ACLS, PALS, CPR, and I'm trained in 12-lead EKG interpretation." Weaver is also in a distance-education nursing program in his "free" time.

     Weaver's dedication to education is obvious in every aspect of his career.

     "Learning is a fundamental part of everything we do," he says. "A strong educational background and continued striving for knowledge should be at the root of every career, especially in medicine. Embracing changes in our industry means constantly learning about them and passing on that knowledge to our coworkers and to the new EMTs and paramedics we interact with."

     When asked to comment on challenges in EMS education, Weaver quickly replies, "Just getting motivated and qualified instructors, which is partly why I want to be so involved. It takes someone who believes in what they're teaching and who truly loves the profession and wants to see it move forward. You can give anyone a textbook and ask them to teach the basic stuff, but to get through to students, you need someone who is motivated and enjoys doing it."

     Weaver will attend EMS EXPO in Las Vegas as a guest of EMS Magazine and will be honored at the opening keynote ceremony on September 27. For more information, see www.emsexpo2006.com.

In other EMS News

Cyanide Treatment May Be On The way
     A North Carolina-based company is seeking regulatory approval for a new drug shown to neutralize cyanide in the blood. If it gets it, the drug could be available by early 2007.

     EMD Pharmaceuticals, a division of the German drug giant Merck KGaA, believes its Cyanokit could be a boon to fire and EMS responders treating victims of house fires, which produce the deadly chemical. "It would be lovely to know that emergency medical personnel in ambulances and hospitals stock the kit," EMD president Nancy Wysenski said.

     The treatment has been available for a decade in France, but Wysenski told the Raleigh News & Observer that she didn't know its success there.

     The kit contains hydroxocobalamin, which binds with cyanide to form cyanocobalamin, a harmless vitamin that's excreted in the urine.-Raleigh News & Observer

New Protective Gear For FDNY EMS Personnel
     Homeland Security grant funds allowed the Fire Department of New York to outfit its nearly 3,000 uniformed EMS personnel with new bunker gear in July.

     The new gear, from manufacturer Morning Pride, includes turnout jackets, pants, boots and gloves. The jackets are flame-retardant and protect against bloodborne pathogens; they feature high collars that can button across the lower face, as well as hoods that, when pulled tight under the collar, offer limited radiological protection.

     The gloves will have a barrier to resist bloodborne pathogens, and the boots are the same model as is worn by New York City's USAR teams.-The Chief-Leader

Working Group To Craft Profile For Bluetooth
     A working group that includes several top producers of medical equipment is setting out to create a medical device profile for Bluetooth wireless technology that would allow health-related devices like weight scales, blood-pressure monitors and exercise equipment to communicate wirelessly with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

     The working group includes such major players as Nonin, Philips Electronics and Welch Allyn. Members expect to draft the specification this year and make it available in 2007.-Nonin Medical