Permanent link for On The Front Lines Of COVID-19 on May 22, 2020

Rachel Zemanek and Mikayla Thorman are Northern Michigan Paramedics and students pursuing a Bachelor in Allied Health Sciences at Grand Valley State University’s Traverse City Regional Center. They have graciously taken time out of their busy schedules for a phone interview to get a glimpse of their life as front liners during the covid-19 pandemic. 

While they both have similar jobs, how their paramedic journey started and how it has changed during covid-19 is uniquely different. One thing they agree on; emergencies do not just stop during a pandemic.

Rachel is a full-time paramedic at East Bay Ambulance along with being a full-time student. Rachel's journey towards this admirable occupation came when she started her collegiate career in journalism. As she interviewed and wrote about others making a difference, she realized she wanted to be a part of something bigger and make more of an impact herself. She started an EMT program in Colorado and when she decided to move back to Michigan to be closer to her family she chose to finish her degree at GVSU’s Traverse City Regional Center and continue working in the emergency medicine side of healthcare.

Mikayla’s path was paved through the loving influence of her family. Her father is the Fire Chief in East Jordan and wanted to get back into EMS. Mikayla helped her dad study for the tests, but her future sights were set on science and math at downstate colleges until her dad suggested looking into EMS while in high school. She dual enrolled at North Central Michigan College and took EMT courses. This was a great opportunity as she was able to get a job right out of high school at East Jordan EMS (Now known as Jordan Valley Emergency Medical Services Authority). Mikayla continued as a paid volunteer in Charlevoix, East Jordan, and Boyne City. When given scholarship opportunities for MSU and CMU she decided her love for EMT was greater and pursued her Paramedic License in 2015 and became full-time at Emmet County EMS. To go further, Mikayla reached out to Jackie Abeyta, Advisor/Student Service Coordinator to transition to Grand Valley State University Traverse City Center.

When asking about the changes, risks, and challenges since the onset of Covid-19; each could relate to the fast-paced protocol changes.

Middle of March is when things really started to evolve for Rachel. Her team started thinking about what they were going to do if the region saw an influx of cases, along with the best way to take care of each other and the community. It was an immediate upswing in purchasing and planning along with new sanitary protocols for equipment. Rachel is also the public information officer responsible for getting the daily covid-19 updates out to the public along with taking over the East Bay Ambulance Facebook page to help communicate with their community members more regularly.  

Mikayla also reported immediate protocol changes. More time is taken to disinfect and decontaminate the ambulance and equipment while adopting new methods such as the use of disinfecting UV lights inside the ambulance. Personal protection equipment (PPE) drastically changed as well with a full gown, longer gloves, and full-face respirators to keep the community safe and her team safe will they still make calls requiring entry to people’s homes. On site protocols also changed with only allowing 1 of the 2 paramedics inside the home, when typically, both would go in to help care and lift the patient onto the stretcher if needed.  

Both Mikayla and Rachel said one of the biggest challenges with everything is the decline and timeliness of 911 calls. Both stated they were receiving more last-minute calls to 911 with increased hesitation to allow the team to come into the home along with reluctancy and/or fear of going to the hospital.

Mikayla shared a difficult experience with a patient that was terrified of her coming into the home because of all the hazmat looking PPE gear along with difficulty being heard and understood through the respirator.  She had to talk the patient down and explain her PPE gear was just precaution. It was difficult to see the fear on the patient's face because of what she must wear. It was even harder to get the patient to go to the hospital due to fear of Covid-19 patients being there.

Rachel has also experienced a shift in behavior not only with delayed calls for 911 but also changes in mental and emotional health. During this pandemic there has been an increase in suicide patients with a lot more anxiety and depression. It has been taking a huge toll. “One thing that is so important, is that emergencies don’t stop because of a pandemic and people still need to call 911 when things happen and know it’s always open. We take every precaution we can.”

Rachel adds that it has been especially hard with taking people out of their homes and their family can’t come with them knowing they may never see them again. Paramedics are trained to act fast and remain vigilant but Rachel states that during this uncertain time it is about finding a balance of letting their family be with them for what could be their last moment. “At the end of the day, what’s really important is human connection and love for each other.”

Both Rachel and Mikayla remain positive with their team and focused on serving their community and the community has certainly shown their support in giving back.

Mikayla has been thankful for the community support through local donations of food and treats along with local distillery’s donating hand sanitizer. Seeing all the signs thanking essential workers has been heartwarming as well.

Rachel has also experienced amazing donations for food, homemade masks, and headbands. “Donations from the community have been really cool and just awesome to see people reciprocating and appreciating what we do.”

Both outstanding women have had a lot on their plate with just finishing up the semester of classes, which all shifted to remote learning as well as balancing their demanding professional lives. Somehow they find time and energy to keep themselves and their team in good spirits.

Rachel talked about the care between her EMS team- “we are so much more aware of our partners mental and physical health and talk with each other daily. We have really become close nit more than before.”

Mikayla perks up her EMS team’s spirits with homemade baked goods every Sunday- “I bake on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings to bring to work and everyone looks forward to it!” Baking also helps her relax, so it’s a win win for everyone.

Rachel and Mikayla wanted to give special thanks and appreciation to those that have really been there for them and their community during this time.

Rachel: “My boss Nick Lemcool- he is the ambassador for all the EMS agencies, working 7 days a week, and constantly putting out fires. He has been an amazing force of nature through this. All our local police- they have been through the ringer and may be overlooked. Special thanks to Officer Matt McKinley and Officer Preston Taylor, they are both really awesome!”

Mikayla: “My partner Erik, my parents, and my co-workers at ECEMS have been great and supportive. I’ve been very fortunate to have an amazing support system.  I’m really thankful to have such amazing mentors and friends. My mentors have instilled in me a drive to continually better myself and always do what’s best for the patients. I have also really appreciated the community and their support too.”

If you would like to discover what your story can be, Jackie Abeyta, GVSU Traverse City Regional Center advisoris here for you from start to finish and wants to see you succeed. All you have to do is start the conversation. That path is there, you just need to take it. Jackie can help you get started. Contact her today to set up your appointment. 

 

Posted by Jacquelyn Abeyta on Permanent link for On The Front Lines Of COVID-19 on May 22, 2020.