College of The Albemarle (COA) held a graduation and coining ceremony for its Continuing Education Paramedic Academy on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. The presentation of challenge coins, similar to pins presented for other medical programs, provides the opportunity to recognize students for their outstanding excellence.

This was the first cohort of the academy, a partnership between College of The Albemarle, Dare County Emergency Medical Services and Currituck County Fire and Emergency Medical Services. During the ceremony, we celebrated 11 students who completed 32 weeks of paramedic training. This involved attending class/lab at a minimum of two (8-hour) days a week, completing online work, and completing clinical and field time, all while working at least one shift per week at their agency and trying to balance home and work life. Overall, the students completed more than 1000 hours of class, lab and clinical hours combined.

Congratulations to the Continuing Education Paramedic Academy Class of Spring 2024:

Patrick Cole, Currituck County; Ian Dudek, Dare County; Bryn Gvozdas, Currituck County; Cara Hanrahan, Dare County; Ashley Knowles, Currituck County; Jesse Moore, Dare County; Joshua Morris, Currituck County; Codie Patterson, Dare County; Toby Paz, Dare County; Tyler Roberts, Dare County; and Matthew Stankavich, Dare County.

Photo: (Front row, l-r) Jesse Moore, Joshua Morris, Toby Paz, Ashley Knowles, Bryn Gvozdas, Codie Patterson (Back row, l-r) Ian Dudek, Matthew Stankavich, Patrick Cole, Cara Hanrahan, Tyler Roberts

“I am very proud of these graduates who have earned their paramedic credential and wish them much success as they serve their communities,” said Walter Meads, EMS Program Coordinator. “College of The Albemarle offers many emergency services-related programs, including Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic. We also offer an associate degree program and an associate degree bridge program for anyone who wants to earn a two-year degree and has completed the paramedic program. College of The Albemarle is a regional continuing education location for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers in our service area and throughout North Carolina.”

For more information about the EMS programs, contact Walter Meads, COA Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator, Emergency Medical Science, at 252-335-0821 x 2519 or [email protected].

For all other COA-related information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252.335.0821 ext. 2420 or [email protected].