This quick step was not a dance; it was an act of caring by teaching

Jim Cole, the Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, Oregon, is well-known among his PeaceHealth colleagues and across the community for readily stepping in to help where he sees a need.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Jim learned most EMT/Paramedic and Critical Care Transport classes were cancelled, he realized that many of the EMTs and paramedics in the community would not be able to renew their licenses because they’d have no way to complete their required continuing education.  

As a certified medical educator, Jim decided to remedy this by donating his time to provide that education, helping his community avoid a huge problem. 

He dedicated two evenings per week, four hours per night, to provide education to the paramedics in Lane County Oregon and beyond.  

Thanks to Jim’s quick and accurate read of the situation and the thousands of hours of online education, nearly 2,000 (and counting) EMS providers could continue serving as paramedics, nurses and EMTs in their communities.