Oregon Tech and OHSU Launch EMS Management Degree Program

The educational partnership between Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) and Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) has launched a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Management. This new bachelor’s degree, one of only 13 in the United States and the only program of its kind in Oregon, will provide a direct educational pathway for both current and aspiring pre-hospital providers to obtain the education and training necessary take leadership position in Emergency Medical Services.

“We are excited to utilize the resources of both great institutions in preparing graduates to enter the workforce with the skills and background necessary to become clinical and organizational leaders in the EMS industry,” said Program Director Jamie Kennel. “We are also very proud to do our part in further professionalizing the EMS industry.”

The new Bachelor’s degree of EMS Management is comprised of training in three core areas:
1.    Advanced clinical education in either pre-hospital Critical Care Medicine or Community Care Paramedicine;
2.    Foundational training in general management principles;
3.    Specific management training focused on the challenges and opportunities unique to the EMS industry.

Dr. Mohamud Daya, Associate Professor for OHSU as well as EMS Medical Director for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and Forest Grove Fire and Rescue states, “I am excited to hear about the Bachelor’s degree in EMS Management. As a bridge between the community and the hospital, EMS can contribute significantly to improving the health of populations. As one of the longest university-based training programs in Oregon and the United States, the OHSU-OIT Paramedic Training program has the experience and talent to help lead the EMS community in this evolution.”

The new program is designed to work with EMS professionals that are working full time in the field through a combination of both night classes as well as the flexibility to enroll in a mix of online or face-to-face classes.

“2014 brings me into my 20th year in Emergency Medical Services,” said Mike Verkest, Training Officer for American Medical Response in Multnomah County. “I have worked in nearly all areas in the profession, EMT, Intermediate, Paramedic Supervisor and my current role as the Training Officer for Oregon’s largest high performance EMS System. I have been in a leadership position the last 10 years and its clear our role in healthcare is evolving before our very eyes. If you want to be ready to navigate whatever comes your way, the new BS Degree in EMS Management is an excellent option for paramedics to get ready to take on the challenges of an ever-changing healthcare world. Simply having “field experience” does not equate to quality leadership. If you want to be a successful leader, consider this degree program.”

For more information please visit www.oit.edu, contact the Program Coordinator Deb Disko at 503.821.1146, or RSVP to one of the upcoming information sessions listed on Oregon Tech’s website.

About Oregon Tech
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is one of seven universities in the Oregon University System, and the only public institute of technology in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Tech provides degree programs in engineering and health technologies, management, communications and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public and international communities through hands-on learning. Oregon Tech has a full-service, residential campus in Klamath Falls and an urban campus in Wilsonville. The university also has sites in Beaverton, Salem, La Grande, and Seattle, as well as online degree offerings. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.

About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state’s only public academic health and research university. As one of Oregon’s largest employers with more than 14,000 employees, OHSU’s size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support not found anywhere else in the state. OHSU serves patients from every corner of Oregon and is a conduit for learning for more than 4,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to each county in the state.

Upstate NY Weighs New Ambulance; Will It Help or Hurt?

In a contentious public forum Tuesday night, Northstar Health Alliance proposed launching a new ambulance service to transport patients between medical facilities.

OH Gunman Kills One, Injures Five in Industrial Park

A gunman shot six people in a New Albany commercial building Tuesday, killing one person and injuring five others. The city said police responded at…