EPCC Hosts Second U.S. Army MEDCOM Ceremony

El Paso, Texas, July 2, 2024 – El Paso Community College (EPCC) Department of Emergency Medical Services Paramedic (EMSP) Program held a Completion Ceremony for its second U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Cohort II Paramedic course at EPCC. This collaboration with the U.S. Army began in April, 2023 with 15 graduates, and this year, the Accelerated Paramedic and Advanced EMT courses also graduated 15, at a ceremony held at the EPCC Administrative Services Center (ASC) Boardroom.

The ceremony featured U.S. Army Medical Readiness, West Command Sergeant Major Jennifer A. Frances leading the MEDCOM Delegation. Also included are EPCC EMSP Instructors, Dr. Jose Crespo and Tony Ayub, EMS Ambulance Clinical Coordinator and Lead Instructor Tim Groover, along with Dr. Souraya Hajjar, EPCC Dean of Health, CTE, Math & Science.

Alexander McGuire was named Valedictorian, and Andrew Pompa was named the Outstanding Student, and the presentation included certificates from U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and awards from the U.S. Army.

“We’re here to celebrate a significant milestone in this exceptional and noble cause of saving lives,” West Command Sergeant Major Jennifer A. Frances said. “Prolonged casualty care involves advanced treatment of injuries, and the importance of that cannot be overstated. You carry a tremendous amount of opportunity and responsibility, and your role will be a crucial lifeline for our soldiers. Congratulations, we stand with you as you embark on this important journey.”

The accelerated paramedic course combined classroom, clinical, and field experience to prepare students for careers and skills in out-of-hospital emergency medical care. “El Paso Community College and the U.S. Army have had a long-standing relationship in Educating Army Medics to the Paramedic level. This has evolved to a new model of accelerated training allowing Soldiers to be prepared to function as a paramedic and meet the needs of the U.S. Army,” Tony Ayub, Coordinator of the EPCC Emergency Medical Services Paramedic program, said.

EPCC provides paramedic education to medical Soldiers utilizing this model (Accelerated Paramedic Program). Soldiers completed the program in 171 days.

Soldiers from across the country trained six days a week, including some 12-hour days, in this six month, rigorous and accelerated training to become certified paramedics with 41 college credit hours. Completing this program opens the door so that with additional education and earned credit, these soldiers could easily obtain an Associate of Applied Science-Paramedic degree and earn points to a promotion.

EPCC has a long history of serving the military and veteran community since its founding in 1969. The college has numerous programs to assist and train soldiers and their families to further their careers while on active duty and after. “EPCC has partnered with the United States Army for over 15 years in paramedic training,” Ayub said. “This program will increase the number of paramedics at a national level.”

EPCC EMSP Graduation.

EPCC EMSP Valedictorian Alexander McGuire

Graduate Shane Calvert with Distinguished Group.

Trustee John Uxer with Graduate Riley Moulton