Chris James/Pioneer
From left to right: Debbie Kurtz, flight RN, Jimmie Kay Wetmore, professor of nursing, and Kristi Cagle, flight RN stand with helicopter in OCCC parking lot on Feb. 6. Cagle is an OCCC graduate. Kurtz has been a flight RN since 1989, and has been at with OU Medical Center for 4 years now.

OCCC’s Emergency Medical Science program is getting attention for academics.

The EMS program has the highest first-time pass rate in the state and is significantly above the national average, said Leaugeay Barnes, Emergency Medical Sciences program director, in an email.

“We believe that every graduate must meet the standard; however, we are willing to do whatever it takes to get the student to that point. Our philosophy is ‘no man left behind,’” Barnes said.

“The EMS program offers instructors who in the last three years have been awarded Instructor of the Year awards by the Oklahoma EMT Association, among other prestigious recognitions,” she said.

Although the instructors are responsible for the majority of the success of the program, the hands-on learning and training put the students in real life situations.

“We have a state-of-the-art lab and utilize cutting-edge technology. We have multiple high-fidelity mannequins that the students are able to do real time scenarios with and actually complete any skills as if they had a real patient,” Barnes said.

Instructors will set up real life situations for the students, for instance a car crash in the parking lot.

Barnes said Tulsa Life Flight donated a stationary ambulance that students use to act out real life scenarios.

OCCC EMS program also hosted an annual statewide conference Feb. 6. The conference offered national level presenters in the field of study Barnes said.

On that date, two EMS aircrafts were parked in the college parking lot as part of a demonstration during the conference.

For further information about the EMS program and enrollment contact 405-682-1611, ext. 7507 or visit www.occc.edu.

To contact Emily Schorr, email staffwriter1@occc.edu.