Paramedic Program celebrates perfect pass rate for new graduates

If you've considered a career as a paramedic, there's a local program with a perfect pass record for its students you might want to look into.

On Monday, the Reid Health EMS Training Institute's Paramedic Program celebrated the graduation of its 2025-2026 class, which included:

• Richmond Fire Department - Danyelle Bland, Sydney Caskey, Owen Rhea, and Loraligh Waters
• Reid Health EMS - Adam Hollinger, Danielle Ruhl, and Caitlin Viernes
• Fayette County EMS - Allyson Bell and Dalton Robbins
• Randolph County EMS - Mackenzie Mosser
• Union City EMS/Spirit - Sarah Stump

Each passed their final exam recently, maintaining the program's perfect record through its first two classes.

"This group has worked so hard over the past year. I'm very proud of them and everything they've accomplished," said Ben Simmons, Paramedic and Program Coordinator for Reid's EMS Training Institute.

"I know they're going to make a significant, positive impact on our community and the patients we serve!"

The EMS Training Institute's Paramedic Program is an 11-month course that begins each year in September and runs until August.

It includes classwork as well as clinical shifts in which students participate in hospital and field-based experiences. They also get direct interaction with physicians and the program's medical director as well as anesthesiology clinical time. The program also offers mental health support for the students.

Classes take place on the healthcare floor of Johnson Hall on Ivy Tech Community College's Richmond campus.

Those who complete the course and obtain their paramedic license can receive verified credit from Ivy Tech toward the completion of the school's Associate of Applied Sciences in Paramedic Science degree. Students aren't required to pursue the degree to complete Reid's Paramedic Program.

Prospective participants must:

• Be at least 18 years old at the start of the course
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be certified as an Indiana EMT or A-EMT
• Be certified as an American Heart Association BLS provider
• Have done one of the following:

1. Completed the Anatomy & Physiology I and II (APHY 101 and 102) courses, or an equivalent, before the program's start date (this is the preferred option)
2. Completed the Essential Anatomy & Physiology (HLHS 102) course before the program's start date
3. Completed APHY 101 before the program's start date and be taking APHY 102 during the Paramedic Program's first term
4. Be taking HLHS 102 during the Paramedic Program's first term

Total cost is $8,000, which pays for a drug screening, full criminal background check, TB testing, branded shirts/outerwear, textbooks, online course access, online testing, and online clinical tracking. A $500 deposit is required at the time of admission with the rest of the program fee being paid in $2,500 installments before the start of each term.

For more information about Reid's Paramedic Program, reach out to Simmons at [email protected] or go to reidhealth.org/ems-training-institute.