Rice University EMS (REMS) is an advanced life support first responder agency. The agency includes 65 undergraduate volunteers, 25 part time staff (including people who work in EMS full time from around the Houston area, and REMS alumni who are in graduate/medical school and remain in the Houston area), and six physicians on the medical director team. REMS has been serving the Rice community since 1996, and responds to 650-700 calls annually. Additionally, REMS is an initial education agency, offering EMT and Advanced EMT classes, continuing education courses, and also managing the university’s AED program.
Congratulations to you and the REMS team on receiving the 2019 Collegiate EMS Organization of the Year award. What makes REMS so unique and special?
The students that make up a part of REMS, the activities they’re involved with, and the accomplishments the team achieves, is what makes REMS stand out. Many college students are involved in varied activities, and pursuing full times studies. Rice students are no exception! I’m always in awe at students that come in as interested volunteers who enroll in EMT class, and within two years they have put in so much time and dedication that they’re able to competently serve as leaders of a collegiate EMS agency with a high-stakes mission. Challenges of volunteers regularly joining, creating high-quality simulation training, integrating new personalities into the group, etc, are ongoing. All of this occurs while we’re on standby for the next emergency, getting ready for the next class, and preparing for the next community event. Many students dedicate their time to being REMS volunteers, and with the help of committed campus partners, and part time staff, the daily challenges are met with humor and competence!
REMS is fortunate to be supported by full time and part time staff. Tell us about your role.
I have been the EMS Director at Rice for 10 years, and have been a paramedic and EMS educator for 20 years. Before coming to Rice, I had been a paramedic in the Philadelphia area for ten years. I taught high school before doing EMS full time, and I maintain my teaching license. As I got more active in EMS, I also worked as a clinical coordinator for the squad where I started in EMS as a volunteer. I became an EMS educator, teaching EMS certification on all levels, and running a continuing education program. I served as an EMS administrator, gaining experience with licensure, billing, and grant writing. All of this varied experience served me well when I took the position at Rice. I am currently the only FTE at Rice EMS. I am a full time staff person, and I also have a faculty appointment as a lecturer.
REMS is an extremely active organization. What recent initiatives are you most proud of?
With the start of this academic year, REMS leadership saw a very full staff roster. There are only so many emergency calls, equipment bags, radios, and golf carts! REMS leadership worked to make a plan to update volunteer applications and training to make the process more selective. Having motivated and interested volunteers is always excellent. Professionals from Rice’s Human Resources department helped with a workshop on conducting better interviews, and updating application procedures. This project was time-consuming but so helpful in developing a new practice to help REMS move forward for the future. The student leadership team, as well as the duty crew members, with input from alumni and the human resources team, worked together to meet the needs of the organization. It’s been amazing to see!
What advice do you have for leaders of collegiate EMS organizations?
Every year it’s a little different in where I focus my time and energy as the student leadership changes, but I really enjoy the variety and the different challenges each year brings. Collegiate EMS is an amazing niche of EMS to work in, as new volunteers are constantly bringing new ideas and energy to the service! Teamwork is valued, flexibility is a constant, and serving the community keeps everyone focused.
