Elizabeth City – College of The Albemarle (COA) is pleased to announce that our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program was recently awarded accreditation for the first time by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Council for Higher Education recognizes the CAAHEP as an accrediting agency.
College of The Albemarle’s EMS program prepares individuals for various careers as medical responders, such as emergency medical responder (EMR), emergency medical technician (EMT), advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) and paramedic.
“We are extremely pleased to achieve accreditation,” said Walter Meads, COA Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator. “While accreditation is now a requirement by the state, we initiated the process proactively to ensure we were delivering a program that meets and exceeds national standards. We started the accreditation process several years ago and were scheduled for our site visit in 2020; however, it was delayed due to COVID-19. It is a great accomplishment to have our first accreditation, and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved in educating the individuals entrusted with serving others and saving lives.”
Photo (l-r): Dr. Jack Bagwell, President; Caitlyn Colson, Adjunct/EMS Field Clinical Coordinator; Carla Godwin, EMS Instructor; Walter Meads, Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator; David Harris, Board of Trustees Chair
This accreditation validates the program’s adherence to national educational standards and fosters a culture of continuous self-evaluation and enhancement. It also establishes the practice of ongoing self-evaluation, which provides for continual reflection and improvement. The accreditation stands for five years before renewal is required.
Robin Harris, COA Dean of Health Sciences and Wellness Programs, shared, “I am very proud of Walter Meads and the faculty and staff who have showcased an unwavering dedication to nurturing professionals adept at making split-second decisions that can often mean the difference between life and death. Our communities need emergency responders, and COA is ready and equipped with not only foundational training but also opportunities for ongoing professional development. I commend our EMS program for earning their accreditation; job well done.”
During the August Board of Trustees Meeting, Meads and the COA EMS program were recognized for receiving their accreditation.
For more information about COA’s EMS program, contact Walter Meads, Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2519 or [email protected].
For all other COA-related information, please contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at [email protected] or 252-335-0821 ext. 2420.