Empowering tomorrow's lifesavers: AdventHealth Redmond EMS gifted ambulance boosts hands-on learning at the Polk County College and Career Academy

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Faculty, superintendents and AdventHealth Redmond EMS gather to celebrate the new ambulance

On November 30, AdventHealth Redmond EMS donated a decommissioned ambulance to the Polk County College and Career Academy.

This valuable contribution will function as a practical, hands-on training tool for students enrolled in the high school’s Emergency Medical Response (EMR) program. Discussions regarding this donation have been ongoing for over a year, involving collaboration between EMS partners at AdventHealth Redmond and EMR program instructors.

EMR instructor Chuck Thaxton said, “This ambulance provides us with the opportunity to offer students a more realistic experience in working on an actual vehicle rather than in a lab setting.”

Marty Robinson, Director of AdventHealth Redmond EMS, was motivated to support the training of future EMS professionals, many of whom will eventually serve in Polk County. Robinson said, “When the decision was made to decommission this ambulance due to its unsuitability for emergency response, we recognized its potential as an excellent instructional vehicle.”

Alumni now serving on AdventHealth Redmond's EMS

The presentation of the vehicle was also facilitated by program alumni Elia Lucas, Paton Goodson and Leah Phanmanee. Lucas, a paramedic with AdventHealth Redmond stationed in Polk County, discovered her passion for EMS while attending Thaxton’s class. Having graduated in 2020, Lucas has been an integral part of the AdventHealth Redmond team since. Her foundational knowledge and experience in Thaxton’s class gave her the confidence and foundational knowledge to deliver life-saving work on a daily basis.

AdventHealth Redmond remains committed to investing in its future workforce through various programs and partnerships in Polk County and Northwest Georgia. For those interested in joining the AdventHealth Redmond team, more information can be found at adventhealth.com/careers/rome-jobs.

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