KILLEEN, TX — Central Texas College celebrated 22 students on Thursday for completing the college’s paramedic certificate program. 

Completion of the 13-month, 31-credit hour program prepared the students to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians paramedic exam to become certified paramedics.

Most of the students are already employed by local fire departments and emergency medical service companies, according to Ryan Baker, the Paramedicine program director. Obtaining this certificate from CTC is required to keep their job, and in some cases will help advance their careers.

“More importantly, this certification will afford them the opportunity to direct and manage the critically ill and injured in the pre-hospital setting,” Baker said. “I am confident in their abilities, not as a faculty member, but as a citizen who may be a patient of theirs one day. This is not only a big day for the graduates and their families, but for all of us who live in the area.”   

Several students earned extra recognition at Thursday’s ceremony.

Whitney Williams was honored as class valedictorian while Devan Menix and Jackson DeMaio tied for salutatorian honors.

CTC professor Jared Leverton was named skills instructor of the year. Mikkie Jordan, also a CTC faculty member, earned clinical instructor of the year. Vincent Macias and Cole Dement of the Killeen Fire Department shared EMS preceptor of the year honors. 

Fall 2023 paramedic graduates are: Elizabeth Brady, Jackson DeMaio, Joseph Dimmig, Garrett Graham, Mason Gregg, Felicia Hall, Emily Harris, John Lara, Lane Lewis, Manuel Mathis, Brian McEwan, Christopher McKeever, Michaela Meischen, Devan Menix, Joshua Moses, Kollin Mullins, Stephanie Rauch, Dylan Ryan, Jackson Vacek, Dylan J. Wiley, Whitney Williams and Ryan Zyla.

CTC offers EMT-Paramedic program courses during the fall and spring semesters. Students can enter the one-year certificate of completion or two-year associate degree program (60 credit hours), both for credit. In addition to coursework, students participate in various clinicals and practicums.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions. 

The next cohort begins in February 2024. For more information about applying, contact the CTC Department of Health Sciences at (254) 526-1266.