Oak Ridge Today

Austin Knight Foundation donates $5,000 to Roane State’s EMS program

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Pictured above from left to right are David Blevins, Roane State EMS Program Director; Ginny Cole Davis, WATE-TV’s Living East Tennessee (and a Roane State alum); Amanda and B.J. Hillard with son Finn; and Scott Niermann, Roane State Foundation Executive Director. (Submitted photo)

A foundation established by the parents of a former Roane State Community College student recently donated $5,000 in support of the community college’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.

William “B.J.” Hillard and Amanda Hillard said they are honoring the memory of their son, Austin Logan Knight, through the Austin Knight Foundation. Austin was killed in a car crash in 2018, just a month after enrolling in Roane State’s EMT program.

Over the last five years, Austin’s parents have worked to incorporate their late son’s passions with their efforts in the community on behalf of the foundation, a press release said. As Roane State’s EMS program director David Blevins explained, this also provides them an opportunity to tell Austin’s story.

“Austin wanted to become an EMT to help others,” Blevins said. “He was committed to his goal of learning to save lives and understood what makes the profession so special, even at such a young age. Seeing his family find new ways to help others in his memory is truly inspiring.”

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge firefighter named Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year

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Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins, left, and Dr. Todd Heffern with TEAMHealth, right, congratulate Brandon Payne of Oak Ridge, Roane State’s Paramedic Student of the Year. (Submitted photo)

Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins, left, and Dr. Todd Heffern with TEAMHealth, right, congratulate Brandon Payne of Oak Ridge, Roane State’s Paramedic Student of the Year. (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

An Oak Ridge Fire Department captain has been elected by his peers as Roane State Community College’s Paramedic Student of the Year.

Brandon Payne, 40, an Oak Ridge firefighter since 2007, received the tribute during a luncheon last year that continues a longstanding tradition of honoring graduating paramedic students.

TEAMHealth, a hospital staffing firm based in Knoxville, sponsored the luncheon for paramedic students who were in the spring semester cohort.

“It was challenging,” Payne said of the three-semester program to obtain certification as a paramedic. “There was a lot of information in a short amount of time.” [Read more…]

Roane State forum on Wednesday will discuss learning, immersive technology such as virtual reality

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A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

 

How immersive technology such as virtual reality can enhance learning will be the topic of Roane State Community College’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Forum on Wednesday, April 25, at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

Stephanie Shipley with Roane State’s Center for Teachings Arts and Technology will present the topic “Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension.” The forum will be from 3-4:30 p.m. in the City Room (A-111) of the Coffey-McNally Building.

A new generation of virtual reality headsets and software promises to revolutionize learning in the classroom, a press release said. During this presentation, participants will be introduced to concepts of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality that will include important technological and educational considerations and implications in all learning environments.

Pedagogical concepts and principles will be discussed, as well as how immersive technologies can be utilized in specific courses and disciplines, the press release said. Additionally, this presentation will include a demonstration of various immersive technologies such as VR headset apps and the Microsoft HoloLens, the release said. [Read more…]

Roane State’s Collins named Paramedic Student of the Year

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Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year Russell Collins (center) is congratulated by Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year Russell Collins (center) is congratulated by Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

Russell Collins with American Medical Response—Blount County has been named Roane State Community College’s Paramedic Student of the Year.

Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine presented the award to Collins during Roane State’s annual Knoxville paramedic program luncheon. Students completing the paramedic program were recognized at the event, which was sponsored by TeamHealth.

Collins, of Maryville, has served with American Medical Response—Blount County for five years.

“It’s been extremely challenging, but very rewarding,” Collins said of his experience in Roane State’s program. “The schedule and the hours are tough, especially working full-time and having a family. The reward is the knowledge. You learn an immense amount in a short time.” [Read more…]

Roane State paramedic alumni earn honors

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Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State's paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS's "Officer of the Year." Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State’s paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS’s “Officer of the Year.” Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Graduates of Roane State Community College’s paramedic program continue to distinguish themselves in their professions by earning honors bestowed by peers and supervisors, a press release said.

Two 2005 graduates of the paramedic program were recognized by Anderson County EMS during National EMS Week, held in late May each year.

Lieutenant Steve Seals was named “Officer of the Year,” while Millie Huddleston was recognized as “Paramedic of the Year.”

Co-workers and supervisors nominated them for the recognitions. In those nominations, Seals was described as exemplifying “our core values, including integrity first, service before self, as well as excellence in all we do,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Roane State EMS faculty use virtual reality to enhance instruction

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Wearing the high-tech HoloLens, Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins manipulates a hologram as part of a cutting-edge program that's being used as a new way of teaching students studying anatomy and physiology. (Photo by Roane State)

Wearing the high-tech HoloLens, Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins manipulates a hologram as part of a cutting-edge program that’s being used as a new way of teaching students studying anatomy and physiology. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

KNOXVILLE—Picture this: a high-resolution cross-section of a beating human heart floating in space, allowing for an up-close, interactive examination.

Imagine each student in an anatomy and physiology classroom having access to three-dimensional, 360-degree images, or aspiring first-responders being able to view a completely realistic video of an accident scene.

Welcome to the world of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality as they are now being introduced into the Roane State Community College curriculum for emergency medical services. Instructors at the college’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences are participating in a pilot study with the assistance from the college’s Center for Teaching Arts and Technology. [Read more…]

Roane State offering spring start for paramedic program; apply by Oct. 31

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There’s an October 31 application deadline to start Roane State Community College’s paramedic program in the spring semester.

The three-semester program, which features several courses each semester, is normally not offered with a spring semester starting point. It has been added to meet a local, statewide, and national shortage of paramedics, said David Blevins, program director.

The shortfall in advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics is frequently mentioned during monthly regional meetings of EMS directors, he said.

There are 12 openings for the program, and candidates must be licensed as advanced EMTs or be in the Advanced EMT program now in progress. [Read more…]

Roane State faculty honored by Tennessee EMS Education Association

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Tennessee EMS Education Association president Tim Lankford presents the Full-Time Excellence in Teaching Award to Roane State EMT/paramedic instructor Roger Badger, center. David Blevins, Roane State Director of EMS Education, also congratulates Badger. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

Tennessee EMS Education Association president Tim Lankford presents the Full-Time Excellence in Teaching Award to Roane State EMT/paramedic instructor Roger Badger, center. David Blevins, Roane State Director of EMS Education, also congratulates Badger. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

Two veteran Roane State Community College faculty members were recently honored for their longtime service to the emergency medical services education community, said David Blevins, Roane State Director of EMS Education.

Kirk Harris, director of Continuing Healthcare and Safety Education, won the prestigious Lige Turman Lifetime Achievement Award, while Roger Badger, an EMT/paramedic instructor, received the Full-Time Excellence in Teaching Award from the Tennessee EMS Education Association.

“Both are the highest honors,” Blevins said. The awards were bestowed during the association’s annual membership meeting, held recently in Murfreesboro.

To be eligible for the Lige Turman Award, a nominee must have at least 20 years in EMS education and a proven history of achievement in that field. “Mr. Harris has dedicated his career to engaging the next generation of medical providers, and his history of new techniques is well known,” Blevins said. [Read more…]

Honors: Hicks named Roane State paramedic student of year

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Terry Hicks Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year

Roane State paramedic student of the year Terry Hicks (center) is congratulated by his mother, Tangiela (left), Dr. Roger Brooksbank with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (back), and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins (right). (Photo by RSCC)

 

Terry Hicks of Robbins was named Roane State Community College’s paramedic student of the year.

Dr. Roger Brooksbank with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine presented the award to Hicks during Roane State’s annual Knoxville paramedic program luncheon. Students completing the paramedic program were recognized at the event, which was sponsored by TeamHealth.

Hicks started as a volunteer firefighter. As he worked his way through the ranks, he became interested in pursuing education in emergency medicine.

“It’s been long, committed hours,” Hicks said of the year-long paramedic program. “You have to stay in the books, stay studying, and stay on top of your clinicals. My teachers at Roane State are fantastic. They make sure we are ready, and they do a fantastic job.” [Read more…]