Amanda Ward, the Director of Emergency Medical Services at Crafton Hills College (CHC), has been honored with the 2023 Distinguished Service Medal by the California Emergency Medical Service Authority (EMSA) in acknowledgment of her dedicated service.
Ward, a CHC paramedic program alumna herself, was selected by the EMSA for this honor based on her “leadership, passion, and transformative contributions, from saving lives as a paramedic to advocating against licensure increases, to actively promoting accessibility, mentorship and education in the field,” announced program organizers.
“I was surprised and confused when I received the notification, as I was unaware I had been nominated,” she shared. “There are so many outstanding and selfless individuals who are worthy of this medal, so to be viewed as one of those individuals is very humbling.”
The Distinguished Service Medal honors commitment to duty or other noteworthy accomplishments that have “significantly impacted statewide EMS through an extended period” of time. Ward and program organizers have dedicated their time to creating a learning and practice space to prepare paramedics for the field. They have also helped fill the staffing gap where paramedics are needed.
In 2023, Ward traveled to state commission meetings in Sacramento, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; Anaheim, Calif. and San Francisco, Calif. to speak against proposed increases in paramedic licensure fees, stressing the financial impact students face completing the program.
For licensure as a paramedic in California, students must complete 39 units of the CHC Paramedic certificate program, pass the National Registry written and skills examinations, and meet all other state requirements. Over the last three years, Crafton Hills College graduates have passed the National Registry Exam at a rate of 96%, and more than 95% of students who graduate from the program are employed as paramedics within six months after completion.
“Crafton’s support has been instrumental in my ability to advocate for and educate the next generations of first responders,” Ward said. “The college has allowed and fully supported any attendance of state commission meetings that gave me the opportunity to participate in critical conversations regarding our students and their needs.”
“There’s still more work to be done and I look forward to continuing my efforts in equity within this workforce and training the EMS clinicians that communities statewide desperately need,” she continued.
The 2023 California EMS Awards ceremony will be held on May 8 at The Culinary Institute of America Greystone in St. Helena, Calif.