NEWARK, N.J. -- Jennifer McCarthy, the director of Union County College s Paramedic Program for the past seven years, was recently honored by New Jersey s Department of Health s Office of Emergency Medical Services as EMS Educator of the Year.
She received the prestigious award during the Department of Health s annual statewide symposium held in Atlantic City Nov. 1 through 3, according to a college spokeswoman.
The award recognizes an educator who has advanced EMS education throughout the state through understanding, organization or innovation in the delivery of educational programs to EMS personnel.
I have been a licensed paramedic for 15 years and actively work at a local health system in Union County, said McCarthy, who lives in Cranford.
My program successes include integration and use of simulation training and a national exam pass rate of 93 percent - the national average is 62 percent, she said.
The program s high success rate was why McCarthy, along with Fred Crawford IV , 2007 Paramedic Program Valedictorian and Michael McCabe , 2007 Paramedic Program Salutatorian, were invited to conduct a comprehensive overview of simulation uses for EMS education, including a full simulated medical call, during the meeting in Atlantic City that was attended by more than 600 people.
A Simulation Showcase also was presented showing examples of the creative uses of simulation in EMS Education. McCarthy directed a simulation event using one of Union County College s own SimMen mannequins.
Leading the largest regional program in the state of New Jersey is empowering to me since it offers a mechanism for me to help more patients through holistic training, McCarthy said.
Robert E. Misseck may be reached at rmisseck@starledger.com or (908) 302-1507.