Cherokee Nation Relaunching Paramedic Training Program To Fight Nationwide Decline

The Cherokee Nation helped to train more paramedics by bringing back its Paramedic Education Program. After a decline in paramedics nationwide, the tribe hoped the program would help increase the number of paramedics in northeast Oklahoma.

The training program took an 8-year break but returned to help those in Green Country become trained paramedics.

Progress in the Cherokee Nation included the construction of the Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah and bringing back a paramedic training program to the Cherokee Nation.

"Mainly because there's such a paramedic decline across the nation and everyone's kind of feeling that so we're excited to be able to offer this training again," said director of Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services, Jimmy Summerlin.

Summerlin said the program would help fight the nationwide decline of trained paramedics.

"When we have vacancies, when we need paramedics and you start trying to hire, it's very difficult because there's not that many out there. So, to be able to offer it in a rural setting like this I think it is really great for our communities and the surrounding areas," he said. 

The training is an accredited 18-month course that could also be applied toward an associate's degree. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said it's necessary to have trained professionals in rural areas.

"In rural communities, people know this: ambulance services are getting scarcer, and it's a concern. Part of that is because of the workforce. These are highly trained people; you want the best and brightest. Getting them trained and into the field is a challenge, particularly in rural areas," he said. 

The Cherokee Nation hoped the program would help motivate the younger generations to apply.

"At the end of the day, we've got to have young people who want to be doctors and nurses and paramedics, and I think when they see what we're doing and they see we're investing in training like the EMS program, I think they surely feel some inspiration to move towards a healthcare career," Chief Hoskin said. 

You can apply for the program by contacting EMS to learn more about the requirements and cost for the course.