Paramedicine students graduate, earn honors from Mesa Community College

Twenty-seven Mesa Community College paramedicine students were recognized as program graduates during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13.

Paramedicine graduates are prepared to pass the national certification exam to achieve the highest certification level of a pre-hospital care provider in the U.S., according to a release.

“Our graduates are skilled in providing emergency on-scene treatment, crisis intervention, lifesaving stabilization and, when appropriate, transport of ill or injured patients to receive emergency medical and surgical treatments,” said MCC Paramedicine Program Director Jamie Tate.

MCC bestows academic achievement awards to the top five students in the program. Students who exemplify outstanding leadership qualities and are chosen by their peers as someone who effectively represents their class receives a ‘Top Gun’ award.

This year Sariya Griggs-Mitchell, Max Maldonado, Megan Smith, Bradley Thomas and Sarah Disney received academic achievement awards. Disney was also recognized as the class’ “Top Gun” honoree.

Occupational Outlook Handbook data projects the demand for emergency medical technicians and paramedics will grow faster than average over the next decade.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians ranks MCC as one of Arizona’s top colleges for the first-time pass rate for its certification exam, Tate said.

The MCC paramedicine program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Applied Health Education Programs. The program features knowledgeable practicing instructors, specialized content experts, hands-on learning, state-of-the-art augmented and virtual reality simulation, and a well-balanced curriculum.

To enter the MCC paramedicine program, individuals must first earn an EMT certification. Enrollment is open for Spring 2025. Learn more at mesacc.edu/ems.