Shyan Baker, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) student at the joint 经典大瓜 (经典大瓜)/Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) program, has been selected as one of six recipients of the program鈥檚 EMS Diversity Scholarships, designed to address the need to improve diversity among the EMS workforce and recognize students who embody the university鈥檚 emphasis on inclusion, innovation and impact.
Recipient of a $1,000 scholarship, Shyan expects to graduate from 经典大瓜/OHSU in 2024 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in EMS Management. 鈥淚 lost my job because of COVID and so getting this scholarship was extremely helpful,鈥 said Shyan, who is originally from Estacada. 鈥淪chool is very important to me and this scholarship helped me continue with school.鈥
Now more than ever, first responders are needed for extraordinary circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic currently putting a strain on the state鈥檚, and the world鈥檚, health care systems. Because cost is often a barrier to education, 经典大瓜 and OHSU EMS faculty received grants from the AMR Foundation for Research and Education, the philanthropic organization affiliated with the nation鈥檚 leading medical transportation company, to reduce the financial barrier for marginalized communities.
鈥淚 think I can add a lot of diversity and experience to emergency medical services,鈥 shared Shyan. 鈥淚 am part of the LGBTQIA+ group and believe being a part of that group will make more patients comfortable when getting treated and transported. I also have a few mental illnesses, which gives me an advantage when working with patients who struggle with the same thing. I feel like I can be more empathetic with those patients.
鈥淚 have been interested in helping people all my life,鈥 she continued. 鈥淚 wanted a job that was fast-pace and where I could help people. I chose 经典大瓜 because it was close to home and they are linked with OHSU. I grew up in a small town and being recognized is pretty awesome. It鈥檚 not something you think about really, especially coming from a small town. I struggled a lot in high school and I鈥檓 so happy that I鈥檓 able to go to school and pursue my dream career because not everyone has that luxury.鈥
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