UPEI BSc in Paramedicine graduate heading to medical school
In the spring of 2018, Mike Hannah became one of UPEI's first ever graduates with a BSc in Paramedicine. The Kensington, PEI native had worked for more than a decade as a paramedic and advanced-care paramedic in PEI, Alberta, and New Zealand. This spring, he was accepted to Dalhousie University Medical School.
UPEI Marketing and Communications discussed the role UPEI played in helping him get there.
UPEI: Can you describe the path you’ve taken to medical school?
MH: I attended the Primary Care Paramedic program at Holland College after finishing high school in 2007. After working for a year, I returned to Holland College to upgrade my skills in the Advanced Care Paramedic program. In 2015, I began researching undergraduate programs with the goal of perusing a career in medicine. At the time, Dr. Trevor Jain had just launched Canada’s only bachelor’s degree in paramedicine at UPEI. Two years later, I was UPEI’s first BSc in Paramedicine graduate.
Over the last 12 years, I’ve worked primarily as an advanced-care paramedic for ground ambulance services in Prince Edward Island. During that time, I also worked as an industrial paramedic in parts of northern Alberta, a paramedic for ground ambulance services in areas throughout New Zealand, a casual paramedic lab facilitator with Holland College, and part-time as a disaster/event coordinator for ground ambulance services in PEI. I currently live in Charlottetown with my wife and our two dogs, and work as a casual paramedic and full-time policy analyst/planner for emergency health services with the provincial government.
UPEI: What role did UPEI play?
MH: I feel that UPEI set me on the road to success from the very beginning of my undergraduate experience. The University’s academic advising team helped schedule specific electives around my core courses to prepare me for the MCAT; faculty shared invaluable feedback and support during the drafting process for my application essays; and I felt confident and prepared for my interviews thanks to the simulated interviews hosted by the career counselling team and pre-medical society. The BSc in Paramedicine program played a critical role in my path to becoming a physician by recognizing my years of paramedic training and allowing me to set off on an accelerated journey to medical school.
UPEI: How do you feel your education and career arc has prepared you for medicine?
MH: I feel that my education and career have prepared me to become a physician in many ways. With over a decade of experience as a paramedic, I’ve provided care for thousands of patients. The type of care a paramedic provides is never quite the same. I once had a cup of tea with an elderly woman who called 911 after having a nightmare. Hours later, I performed CPR and defibrillated someone on the side of a road. Paramedics routinely find themselves in unexplainable situations and learn to adapt quickly to changing environments and circumstances to provide the best care possible for their patients. Paramedics are trained to recognize signs of different illnesses and injuries, perform advanced medical procedures, and administer potentially life-saving medications. Paramedics learn to work as part of a team, listen actively, deescalate hostile situations, show compassion and empathy, and function as advocates for their patients. They are critical thinkers and have an innate duty to serve their communities. I believe that every patient encounter has shaped me into the person I am today and has, in some way, prepared me for a career in medicine. I feel that my education at UPEI and my career as a paramedic has allowed me to become an effective communicator, collaborator, leader, and teacher. I’m confident that the skills I’ve gained during my time at UPEI and my career as a paramedic will be an asset to my future experience as a medical student and physician.
UPEI: What do you tell others who are considering the BSc in Paramedicine?
MH: I believe UPEI is one of the few universities in North America that recognizes paramedics for the knowledge, skills, and experience they have at a professional level. Because of UPEI, paramedics have an opportunity to continue to develop their knowledge and skills as health care professionals and advance the profession forward into uncharted territory. The BSc in Paramedicine program is an opportunity to be part of an academic revolution in pre-hospital medicine. This program was created by industry experts for paramedics who are ready to become future leaders, decision-makers, and trailblazers. To anyone considering the program, know that you will be supported by paramedicine faculty and will have access to the tools you need to take you to wherever your professional path leads. If you choose to enroll in the program, enjoy the learning experience and be proud of the contribution you’ll be making both to your profession and to the health and wellness of the communities that paramedics serve.
