Investing in Our Community: BCMH EMTs Begin Paramedic Training with Grant and Hospital Support
Bates
County Memorial Hospital is proud to share that four of our dedicated EMTs have
begun paramedic school, an exciting step forward for both our emergency medical
services and the health of our community.
A Homegrown Solution to a Local Challenge
Like many
rural areas, Bates County has struggled with a shortage of licensed paramedics,
putting pressure on our ambulance services and increasing reliance on costly
outside staffing. Recognizing that strong EMS starts at home, BCMH made the
decision to invest directly in the communities we serve by supporting the
advancement of several of our current EMTs.
Through a
combination of grant funding and hospital support, we’re equipping these local professionals with the
skills and credentials needed to provide advanced care for our citizens. This
investment reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable
future for emergency care by growing talent from within and ensuring our
neighbors receive care from those who know our communities best.
One-Time Federal Support for EMS Training
In 2024,
BCMH applied for and was awarded $98,598.57 through the American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA), administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. This
one-time funding was designated to support emergency services at the hospital,
including the purchase of bullet-proof vests, essential upgrades to radio
equipment, and scholarships for paramedic training. Of the total grant, $16,800
was allocated for education expenses, enough to nearly cover the cost of
training for two of the hospital’s current EMTs.
Expanding the Investment Locally
Following
the award of the grant, hospital leadership, with full support from the Board,
chose to further invest in our community by funding two additional paramedic
training scholarships, using hospital resources. The hospital also met the
grant’s 10% in-kind match requirement, demonstrating our continued commitment
to using public funds responsibly to strengthen local emergency services and
support those who serve our region.
While there
are no current plans to make this an ongoing program, this decision reflects a
timely and strategic response to a pressing workforce challenge.
Scholarship
recipients include:
·
Stephen Stark, EMT-B – ARPA-funded scholarship
·
Jesse Cowley, EMT-B – ARPA-funded scholarship
·
Joelene Smith, EMT-B – BCMH-funded scholarship
·
Cody Moore, EMT-B – BCMH-funded scholarship
Paramedic
training typically takes 14 to 16 months and includes classroom instruction,
clinical hours, and field experience. While enrolled, each EMT continues to
work with the BCMH Ambulance Department and has agreed to a work commitment
following graduation.
Voices from the Field
Stephen
Stark, EMT-B, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former training officer, said the
training aligns with his long-term goals.
“Paramedic
training was always my plan, but life got in the way,” he said. “I’m excited to
go through the program. It’s an opportunity to grow and pursue more advanced
roles, including disaster response. That’s an area where I feel I can make a
real difference.”
Joelene
Smith, EMT-B, also spoke about the meaning this opportunity holds on a personal
level.
“This is
what I strive to be as a human, especially in the field I’m in, as I do my best
to take care of others with empathy and compassion,” she said. “I’m very
grateful to be granted this opportunity by BCMH to further my education, not
only for myself, but for my family and for the community I’ve come to love.”
A Responsible Long-Term Strategy
“This is a
smart investment in people,” said Kristina Anderson, Human Resources Director.
“We are solving staffing challenges while helping these EMTs advance their
careers. Compared to the high cost of ongoing agency staffing, supporting
paramedic training for EMTs who already know the community just made sense.”
Investing in More Than EMS
BCMH
remains committed to investing in hard-to-fill healthcare roles that directly
impact patient care. In addition to these scholarships, the hospital offers
tuition reimbursement for newly graduated registered nurses and supports
professional development for staff across departments.
These
efforts reflect our mission to build a resilient, local healthcare workforce,
ensuring our patients have access to skilled, compassionate care close to home.
[For
Print – Shortened release:]
BCMH
Supports Four EMTs with Scholarships for Paramedic Training
Bates
County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) is proud to announce that four of its EMTs have
begun paramedic training through a mix of federal grant funding and hospital
support. This investment in emergency services strengthens BCMH’s ability to
meet local needs with advanced, highly trained personnel.
In early
2024, BCMH received $98,598.57 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA),
administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. The one-time grant
included $16,800 for paramedic education, which covered nearly the full cost of
training for EMTs Stephen Stark and Jesse Cowley.
Hospital
leadership, with full board support, also chose to fund two additional
scholarships using hospital resources, awarded to EMTs Joelene Smith and Cody
Moore. Moore began training prior to the scholarship program and received full
reimbursement from BCMH, along with support to complete his education.
Paramedic
programs typically span 14 to 16 months and include classroom training,
clinical hours, and field experience. Each scholarship recipient continues
working shifts at BCMH and has committed to continued service after graduation.
“Paramedic
training was always my plan, but life got in the way,” said Stark. “This is an
opportunity to grow and pursue more advanced work, including disaster
response.”
Smith
added, “I’m grateful to BCMH for helping me further my education, not just for
myself, but for my family and for the community I’ve come to love.”
“This is a
smart investment in people,” said Kristina Anderson, BCMH HR Director. “We’re
addressing staffing challenges and helping our EMTs grow their careers—all
while reducing the cost and reliance on agency staffing.”
BCMH
continues to invest in hard-to-fill clinical roles, including tuition reimbursement
for newly licensed nurses. These efforts are part of the hospital’s ongoing
commitment to providing high-quality care close to home.
Read the
full story on our website:
https://bcmhospital.com/bcmh-invests-in-paramedic-training/
