ASUMH - EMS Program

09/24/2026

🔥 Sometimes you have to see it to understand it.
Our Paramedic students have been learning about burns, including the different layers of the skin and what actually happens to those layers as burn depth increases.
Understanding the difference between superficial, partial-thickness, and full-thickness burns is more than memorizing definitions for an exam. It helps students understand what they are seeing, what is happening underneath the surface, and why their assessment and treatment decisions matter.
We love taking concepts out of the textbook and turning them into something students can visualize, touch, discuss, and remember.
Because when the call comes in, nobody hands you a multiple-choice question. 🚑

09/23/2026

Yesterday, our EMT and Paramedic students had the privilege of hearing from Kelli and Brian Thomas, who shared the deeply personal story of losing their son to su***de.
There are some lessons in EMS that cannot be taught from a textbook, PowerPoint, or simulation. Their willingness to speak openly about their family’s experience gave our students an opportunity to see the human side of the calls we respond to—the people, families, and lives that exist long after we clear the scene.
We are incredibly grateful to Kelli and Brian for trusting our students with their story and for turning an unimaginable loss into an opportunity to educate future EMS professionals. Conversations like this remind us that sometimes the most important thing we can offer another person is compassion, presence, and the willingness to truly listen.
Thank you, Kelli and Brian, for spending time with the ASUMH EMS Program and for making an impact on our students that will follow them throughout their careers. 💚
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
***deAwareness #988

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

🚑 **WELCOME TO EMS — WHERE THE CHAOS IS EDUCATIONAL** 🚑

We officially welcomed our newest EMT students to the EMS Program, and this year we decided to do things a little differently.

Instead of simply handing everyone a syllabus, pointing toward Canvas, and saying, “Good luck out there,” we kicked off the semester with our **FIRST ANNUAL EMS BOOT CAMP!** 🎉🚑

And y’all… it was a SUCCESS.

Our students spent Boot Camp getting a taste of what EMS is really about: teamwork, communication, problem-solving, thinking on their feet, getting comfortable being uncomfortable, and discovering that sometimes the best plan lasts approximately 14 seconds. 😬

And based on what we saw during Boot Camp, we think we're off to a pretty great start. ❤️🚑

Of course, no EMS semester would be complete without at least one questionable educational decision from the instructors...

So we took them to court. ⚖️😂

Our EMT students participated in **“Lawsuits & Laryngoscopes,”** our EMS mock court experience designed to show them that patient care doesn't end when the ambulance doors close. Documentation matters. Communication matters. Decisions matter. And someday, somebody may ask you to explain exactly why you did what you did.

Preferably not while an instructor is pretending to prosecute you. 😏

A HUGE special thank-you goes to Paramedic student **Robby Dykhuis**, who volunteered his time to help us with EMS Boot Camp and somehow continued helping even after realizing what he'd gotten himself into. Robby jumped in wherever we needed him, helped our new EMT students, and even survived being **taken to court** with the rest of us. We appreciate you, Robby! 🚑👏

Most importantly, we're incredibly proud of this new group of EMT students. They've already worked hard, laughed with us, tolerated us, and gotten a much better appreciation for what EMS actually demands.

Welcome to the ASUMH EMS family.

You came here to learn how to be EMTs.

We have absolutely no intention of making that boring. 😈🚑

**EMS Boot Camp 2026: SUCCESS.**
Now the real fun begins.

Today, using building blocks, students had to communicate instructions to one another and quickly discovered that “No, put THAT piece over THERE!” is apparently not an internationally recognized medical command. 😂

It was a simple exercise with a very real EMS lesson: what you say, what you mean, and what the other person actually hears can be three completely different things. Clear communication matters when you're working with a partner, talking with patients and families, giving reports, or trying to coordinate a scene when everything around you is noisy and chaotic.

08/03/2026

🚨 The ASUMH EMS social media department would like to blame vacation... and maybe a complete loss of track of time... for being a little late with this celebration. 😄 Better late than never!

🎉 Congratulations to ASUMH EMS student Pam Spears! 🎉

Arkansas State University–Mountain Home EMS is proud to recognize Pam Spears on passing the National Registry EMT (NREMT) examination on her first attempt!

Many throughout North Central Arkansas already know Pam as the EMS Dispatch Coordinator for Baxter Health Ambulance, where she plays a critical role in supporting EMS crews and coordinating emergency responses. She has now added another impressive achievement by earning her National Registry certification as an EMT.

Passing the NREMT on the first attempt is a testament to countless hours of studying, dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to serving others. Pam's accomplishment reflects the hard work she invested throughout the program.

The ASUMH EMS Program is incredibly proud of Pam and is excited to see where this next chapter in her EMS career takes her.

Please join us in congratulating Pam on this outstanding achievement!

🚑 Congratulations, Pam! Your ASUMH EMS family is cheering you on every step of the way!

07/22/2026

A Letter from Mrs. Tasia ❤️

To ASUMH's paramedic students,

I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of each of you.

Over the last few weeks, I've watched you go from questioning every medication math problem to confidently working through medical scenarios, discussing possible diagnoses, and learning how to differentiate one condition from another. You're memorizing anatomy, diving into pharmacology, and somehow managing to juggle jobs, families, and life outside of class.

It isn't easy, and I know there are days when it feels like information is coming at you faster than you can process it. But every single scenario, quiz, and lab is building the provider you'll become.
And let's be honest... not every lesson has been serious. 😂

We've had Tiffany absolutely rocking a hot pink wig like she was auditioning for a daytime soap opera. We've had patients refusing to let go of their emotional support stick of butter (because apparently that's a thing now 🤷‍♀️). Somehow we've managed to turn our simulation lab into a place where we can laugh until our sides hurt one minute and have an incredibly serious discussion about differential diagnoses the next.
Those moments matter, too.

Medicine is hard. EMS is hard. If we can't laugh together while we're learning, we'll miss some of the best parts of the journey.

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for trusting me to teach you. Thank you for working hard, asking questions, and never giving up, even when the material feels overwhelming.

Keep pushing. Keep learning. Keep believing in yourselves. Fall is shaping to be a great semester and I am looking forward to not only what lives you save but, what you will accomplish in your careers.

It's an honor and I'm incredibly proud to be one of your instructors.

07/15/2026

🚨 ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST... 🚨

Congratulations to Haley Herren for passing her NREMT EMT cognitive exam on the FIRST TRY! 🎉🚑

Turns out all those PowerPoints, scenarios, airway drills, caffeine, questionable whiteboard drawings, and our collective emotional support sarcasm actually paid off.

Haley walked into the testing center, stared down the adaptive testing algorithm, and left with one less thing to worry about. The National Registry tried to play games... Haley politely declined. 💅

We're incredibly proud of the hard work, determination, and grit she's shown throughout the program. First-attempt passes don't happen by accident. They're earned one chapter, one skill, and one late-night study session at a time.

Help us congratulate Haley Herren, our newest EMT who has officially earned the right to explain to friends and family that "No, we don't just drive the ambulance." 🚑😂

07/08/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

07/08/2026

🚑 Your Next EMS Chapter Starts Here! 🚑

Have you been thinking about taking the next step in your EMS career? Whether you're ready to become an EMT or continue your journey as a Paramedic, now is the time to apply!

🚑 2027 Paramedic Program

Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Paramedic Cohort.

🗓️ Application Deadline: August 1, 2026

If you're ready to advance your career, don't wait until the last minute. We'd love to answer your questions and help you through the application process.

🚑 EMT Program

Interested in becoming an EMT?

📚 The first day of class is August 18, 2026!

Seats are filling, so if you've been considering a career in EMS, apply soon to ensure you have time to complete the admissions process before classes begin.

Whether you're taking your first step into emergency medicine or preparing to become a paramedic, ASU-Mountain Home EMS is committed to providing hands-on learning, critical thinking, and real-world experience to prepare you for success.

For more information, please contact:

Tasia Charles
Interim EMS Program Director
📧 [email protected]
☎️ (870) 508-6269

We can't wait to help you begin—or continue—your EMS journey.

🚑 Your future patients are counting on someone. Why not let that someone be you?

07/08/2026

🚨 **Another day, another couple of National Registry victims...** 🚨

Congratulations to **Mike Spears** and **Derek Moore** for conquering the **National Registry EMT exam!** 🎉🚑

They survived the chapters. They survived the scenarios. They survived the skill stations, the lectures, the "but *why* is that the right answer?" discussions, and probably a few of Mr. David's rabbit trails.

Now they've survived the test that makes grown adults question everything they thought they knew.

Welcome to the ranks of the nationally registered! Your hard work, persistence, and determination paid off, and we couldn't be prouder.

Just remember... passing Registry doesn't mean you'll never hear us say, "So...tell me your differential diagnosis," ever again. 😏

Congratulations, Mike and Derek! Now go make a difference out there—we know you will.

🚑💙