Ga. College Receives $10K Donation for EMS Program

July 02—The Albany Tech Foundation will receive a check for $10,000 Tuesday at the Charles B. Gillespie, M.D. Center for Emergency Responders on the campus of Albany Technical College.

The philanthropic donation from the center's namesake will be used to support the Emergency Medical Service Professions and Paramedicine program in the Healthcare Technology division of Albany Tech.

Gillespie and his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Gillespie, will attend the check presentation at the Gillespie Center. Prior to the check presentation, the Gillespies released a statement saying, "This donation is made in honor of Dr. Anthony Parker, a true visionary for Albany Tech and our community."

Parker has served as president of Albany Technical College since 1995.

"Dr. Gillespie is known for his work to establish universal 911 services in Georgia, and he is recognized as the 'father of emergency medical services' in the state as well," Parker, commenting on Gillespie's most recent contribution to the college, said. "Here at Albany Tech, we are so proud and appreciative of his leadership and vision through the years for our first responder programs. His ties to Albany Tech go back to the beginning of the program, and he has continued to be a supporter and friend of the college.

"Dr. Gillespie is a true partner with Albany Technical College, and for that we again say thank you."

Gillespie received his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1961, and he completed his orthopedic residency at Grady Hospital in 1966. Gillespie practiced as an orthopedic surgeon in Albany for 39 years before retiring in 1998.

In 1971, Gillespie was appointed by then-Gov. Jimmy Carter to develop Georgia's multicounty Emergency Medical Services System. He authored the internationally recognized EMT Oath and Code of Conduct. In 1994, he received the Emergency Medical Pioneer Award, and in 1995 the Medical Association of Georgia Hardman Cup. He was awarded a second MAG Cup in 2016 for community service.

In 2003, Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Gillespie to the Military Affairs Coordinating Committee. In 2009, he was honored with the U.S. Marine Corps and Department of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award for his leadership in co-founding the Department of Defense National Military Assistance Safety Traffic helicopter program.

A longtime commissioner with the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport Commission, Gillespie played a key role in the design and construction of a $12 million terminal at the airport, completed in 2013.

He is also a recipient of The Aranal Patz Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring distinguished Emory alumni from the School of Medicine for leadership and accomplishment in the field of medicine at the national or international level. He received this award in 2017.

Gillespie has long been a supporter of Albany Tech, which now has the training center bearing his name. He was instrumental in establishing the college's Emergency Medical Technician program in 1972, even teaching EMT classes on campus for a number of years.

The EMT programs at Albany Tech have stayed at the forefront of training skilled, competent first responders for the community, region and state. Now known as the Paramedicine program, students are able to choose certificate, diploma and degree options to begin their service as a first responder. Students may start with a training certificate and advance to earn a two-year degree in Paramedicine.