FROM WWW.ONU.EUD/NEWS__Joey Green initially joined the Ada-Liberty EMS to boost his resume for medical school. After a few months on the squad, however, the Ohio Northern University student realized he thrived in the trauma care environment. He promptly switched his biology/pre-med major to nursing.

“Becoming an EMT changed my whole mindset and direction in life,” he said. “My dream job is to become a Life Flight nurse, although I may be too tall for the helicopter!”

Growing up in Medina, Ohio, Joey injured himself several times playing sports. He spent a lot of time researching ways to speed up his recovery, which morphed into an interest in helping others overcome their health setbacks. “I also excel in the sciences, so the medical field just seemed like a good fit,” he said.

To join the Ada-Liberty EMS, Joey took courses to receive his EMT-Basic certification. He now works 80 to 100 hours a month for Ada’s squad while taking classes full-time at ONU. He responds to 9-1-1 calls for a variety of medical emergencies.

“It’s not your typical 9-to-5 job,” he said. “You face something new every day. In the trauma environment, you have to think on your toes at all times to make the best medical decisions.”

He appreciates the camaraderie he’s found on the squad, and the willingness of his co-workers to help him grow. He gets to observe and ask questions—in real world settings— about advanced paramedic skills, like setting up IVs, that he’ll soon need to master in his nursing labs.

“I just love every minute of this work,” he said. “We have a really good team of people and we are all very close. Ada is a tight-knit community and people rely on one another. It’s great to be able to build those connections.”