Retired fire captain, instructor: yes on Prop 409

Metro Creative Connection

I served as a Phoenix fire captain/paramedic for 20 years. Like many paramedics, I experienced all hospitals throughout the Valley and I can tell you that the county hospital stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Now known as Valleywise, it stood out for its quality of care, state of the art expertise, its bold approach to caring for patients and its dedication to building a true community of paramedics, nurses, residents and physicians all focused on superior health care.

The hospital culture is one of open communication between all medical personnel. We were all members of the same team with the same goal: good patient outcomes. This is the result of rigorous training and educational practices that looked at the facts of every situation so that we could learn from every incident.

There was also a true commitment to creating strong, bonded teams that were always looking to improve and excel that made the hospital special. EMTs, doctors and nurses built trust that allowed us to communicate quickly and effectively during stressful emergency scenarios, which led to better patient outcomes.

After retiring from Phoenix Fire Department, I became the director of fire science and emergency medical technology for Mesa Community College. My experience with Valleywise was equally impressive. All EMTs, nurses and physicians who get the opportunity to train there gained unparalleled exposure, experiences and expertise.

Working there meant utilizing every available moment learning and perfecting life-saving skills. At Valleywise, this process happened in a very short time. As a teaching hospital, the professionals who train at Valleywise go on to treat patients and save lives all over the state of Arizona.

Join me in voting yes on Proposition 409 to ensure this exceptional culture of care can continue and grow for future generations of Arizona patients.

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