***Updated Aug. 21, 2024***

MESA, Arizona -- August 15, 2024 -- Thirty-two Mesa Community College Paramedicine students were recognized as program graduates during a ceremony on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.

Paramedicine graduates are prepared to pass the national certification exam to achieve the highest certification level of a pre-hospital care provider in the United States.

“Our graduates are well prepared to meet the critical need in our community for paramedics the ones who provide emergency on-scene treatment, crisis intervention,

life-saving stabilization and, when appropriate, transport ill or injured patients to emergency medical and surgical treatment facilities, such as hospitals and trauma centers,” said MCC Paramedicine Program Director Michael Pennington.

Occupational Outlook Handbook data projects the demand for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics will grow faster than average over the next decade.

“Mesa Community College is ranked as one of Arizona’s top colleges for the first-time pass rate for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exams,” Pennington said. “This outstanding result underscores the exceptional commitment and effort of both our students and faculty.”

The MCC Paramedicine Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Applied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). 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.

Pennington says he’s incredibly proud of the program. “A tradition at MCC is bestowing academic achievement awards to the top five students in the program. The ‘Top Gun’ award is given to a student who exemplifies outstanding leadership qualities and is chosen by their peers as someone who represents their class effectively.”

This year, Chris Dooley, Daniel Hicklin, Aiden Metzler, Nathan Smith and Gabe Gamboa received academic achievement awards. Gamboa was also recognized as the class’ “Top Gun” honoree.

To enter the MCC Paramedicine program, individuals must first earn an EMT certification. Spring 2025 enrollment for new EMT and Paramedicine students opens Oct. 7, 2024. Learn more at mesacc.edu/ems.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 25,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations through a combination of modalities. MCC is transforming how it champions student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution with nearly 50% of its students being the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges; its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes as well as out-of-state tribes. The diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.