Oregon Tech is pleased to announce a significant collaboration with American Medical Response (AMR) Northwest, a provider of emergency medical services in the Portland-Metro region. As part of AMR's commitment to supporting the education and development of future emergency medical service (EMS) professionals, AMR will provide scholarships to all current paramedic students entering an externship in the Oregon Tech/Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) program at the Wilsonville campus.
The scholarship will cover the entire tuition bill for the final Paramedic Field Externship Practicum, a 12-credit course scheduled to begin on June 1, 2024. The externship involves hands-on field experience under the direct supervision of a paramedic preceptor responding to 911 emergency calls. The tuition for this crucial stage of the program is $3,000 to $4,400 per student.
This generous support from AMR extends to all 19 students in the 2023/2024 paramedic cohort, demonstrating AMR's commitment to fostering the growth of highly skilled EMS professionals who play a critical role in the community's health and safety.
"We are very excited about expanding our partnership with the Oregon Tech/OHSU paramedic school to further strengthen our recruiting efforts," said Randy Lauer, AMR Vice President of Operations. "As a member of the fourth graduating class at OHSU many years ago, I have always held the program in high regard. This enhanced partnership is a win-win-win for AMR, Oregon Tech/OHSU program and students, and the communities we serve."
American Medical Response, a Global Medical Response solution, is the largest ambulance provider in Oregon, with exclusive ambulance contracts in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Josephine counties. AMR's involvement in supporting Oregon Tech/OHSU students extends beyond this initiative, including existing programs like the Diversity Recruitment Scholarship program, which awards financial scholarships covering full tuition, course fees, and textbooks to remove financial barriers that may prevent underrepresented students from joining the EMS career field. Additionally, AMR offers externship opportunities, further enriching the Oregon Tech student experience.
Oregon Tech Professor and EMS Department Chair Jamie Kennel shared that the partnership contributes to the success of paramedic students and the broader EMS community. "I extend my appreciation to AMR for their support of Oregon Tech/OHSU's paramedic students," Kennel said. "Their commitment to educational initiatives and building a skilled EMS workforce is invaluable."
