Hodges: Training The Next Generation

It’s the first four-wheeled addition to the Hodges University family. It has bright, flashing lights, and a siren and horn that are rather loud.

The Hodges University ambulance is yet another high-end tool to provide hands-on training to our Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic students.

This vehicle is designed to clearly show it’s a training vehicle at Hodges University. We gave it the number 1990, the year we were established. The colors are, of course, the Hodges coral red and navy blue. The Hodges Hawk is also prominent, along with the seals for our EMT and Paramedic programs.

On the back of the ambulance are the logos of three, important organizations whose generosity and excellent patient care in our region made this a reality for the university and our students.

Chief Tabatha Butcher of Collier County EMS helped oversee its donation of the ambulance to us. We also greatly appreciate the support from Paul Hiltz, president and CEO of NCH, and Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and CEO of Lee Health.

We just graduated our first class of EMTs in late September. We designed our EMT program so that students can complete it in just seven weeks.

These eight graduates were the first to use the ambulance for clinical training. In fact, they participated in a mock disaster drill, training alongside of our RN/BSN students!

Early next year we will begin our next class of students who want to be paramedics.

The education and training needed to be a paramedic means our students will earn an Associate in Science degree, which takes about two years. They will then be qualified to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam, and after passing that, they are then eligible for Florida certificationas a paramedic. Then they are ready to become part of fire-rescue departments, public and private ambulance services, aeromedical services, and hospitals. They are also well positioned to go into more advanced healthcare training, including Registered Nursing.

You may wonder what the difference is between an EMT and a paramedic. Simply put, paramedics can administer medications onsite, start IVs and provide airway management. EMTs can administer first aid, oxygen, and perform CPR. EMTs and paramedics do work together and the ambulance is their traveling workspace.

Speaking of ambulances, did you know they have been around since 1487, making their debut in Spain? They were first seen in the United States in 1865 when the US Army started the first ambulance service.

Civilian versions of that began in Cincinnati and New York City. They used horsepower – literally – back then.

Today’s versions generate significantly more horsepower and provide much more life sustaining functionality.

The Hodges University ambulance will not only provide excellent hands-on training for our students, you’ll also see it in the community at events and in parades, for example. It’s part of our mission to train the professionals our community needs to thrive.

So keep an eye open for Unit 1990 on the road or at an event near you!

Hodges University, a regionally accredited, private nonprofit institution founded in 1990, prepares students to leverage higher learning in their personal, professional, and civic endeavors. With over 10,000 graduates having a 93 percent rate of continued success in careers, Hodges is recognized for developing programs that are uniquely designed and delivered to serve a diverse adult learner population. With campuses in Naples and Fort Myers, Florida, Hodges provides flexible day, evening, and online classes taught by world-class faculty for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Hodges is also designated as a Hispanic serving institution, and is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). More information about Hodges University is available at Hodges.edu.

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