Two of our instructors, Anna and Liam, who are newly minted paramedics give the rundown on paramedic school with two of our other instructors, Joey and Erik, who are beginning their medic school journeys. They chat about applications, finding a balance, establishing rapport with preceptors, and some overall protips. Enjoy!

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Vince, Sarah, David M, and David Z reflect on some common issues students have had and share what future students have access to and what they should be thinking of when entering our class.

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Erik Polik joins us on the pod to share their personal journey to what was originally medical school. He is embarking on a side quest into paramedic school in January. We also reflect on sources of fulfillment, growth as an instructor, and how our EMT class is evolving.

Connect with Erik: epolikarpovas@gmail.com

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Despite not seeing this instructor too often, we value his experiences and teaching style. He had a rough beginning in life but the military and becoming an EMT gave him the path and structure to thrive. We take it all the way to the beginning, becoming a paramedic, and eventually his recent private contracts in tactical medicine in Haiti and Ukraine. Please enjoy our conversation with Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Amacher.

Mentioned Links:

https://garda-federal.com/

https://frontlinemedics.org

https://www.instagram.com/mla_damnit

It's Match Day! We could not be prouder of our team. Dan, Diann, and Rowanne have been working with our students since before the pandemic. They helped us pivot within the pandemic. They helped administer vaccines to the UIC community. So to see them fulfill their dreams of becoming a physician means the world. They're hosted by a former instructor and first year IM resident, Omar. Omar came back to teach with us in his M3/M4 phase and was enamored with learning/teaching methods. We love that he wanted to share that with our class. The episode shares reflections from medical school, establishing your purpose, and how they chose which specialty was right for them. Please enjoy Episode 7.

Omar: omar.lopez@uchicagomedicine.org
Dan: dbabia3@uic.edu
Diann: dgeorge9667@gmail.com
Rowanne: rowanne.murrar@gmail.com

Our next guest is Mohammad Abuakar. He's currently rounding out his last year of medical school! Our relationship with Moe spans 10 years and we're so lucky to be working with him as he awaits plans for residency. His experiences range from critical care paramedic on a mobile stroke unit, paramedic at a suburban fire department, education in a variety of forms, and entrepreneurship. We were actually looking for office space together when planning Chicago EMT Training and he was expanding his CPR training business as he was simultaneously interviewing for medical school in 2021. Lots of nostalgia and reflection in this episode. Please enjoy our conversation with Moe Abuakar.

For inquiries: mohammadabuakar@gmail.com

Our next guest is Russ Alegado. She took our class back in 2016. It was actually our first and last 8 hour Saturday class. Since then, she's helped teach our EMT program, became a firefighter/paramedic, and landed her dream role with the Chicago Fire Department. Please enjoy our conversation with Russ Alegado.

Connect with her: ralegado2@gmail.com

Welcome to our Christmas episode! We invited one of our instructors, Ruthie, to come on and share her perspective as an ER Nurse on the current dynamics between prehospital providers and ER staff. She has a unique perspective since she took our EMT course in 2018 and has been teaching with us ever since. Within her 2 years as an ER RN, she's become an ECRN as well as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. We conclude the episode with our frustrations on the current state of privatized healthcare in this country. Please enjoy Episode 5 with Ruthie Picha.