05/18/2026
As EMS Week 2026 kicks off with the theme “Improving Outcomes Together,” we wanted to take a moment to recognize just how much our EMS students and instructors have accomplished this year at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home.
What a whirlwind this spring semester has been.
Between our AM and PM EMT cohorts, we graduated 20 EMT students, with 16 moving forward into National Registry testing eligibility after completing all program requirements. Those students recently completed practical testing, and we are incredibly proud to say that every single eligible student passed their psychomotor exams. A few stations tried to put up a fight, but our students hit them with that EMS stubbornness and got it done anyway.
Our EMT graduates are now finishing ride time and preparing to take National Registry over the next few months, while our paramedic students are already deep into the summer semester grind of second semester medic life, where caffeine becomes a personality trait and everyone suddenly speaks fluent cardiology.
We also want to give a very special thank you to our evaluator gang who showed up to support our students during practical testing. We had several seasoned EMTs and paramedics volunteer their time, and some even traveled nearly two hours just to come evaluate for our class. That kind of support, mentorship, and commitment to the future of EMS does not go unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful.
To all of our students, we see the long nights, early mornings, stress, determination, sacrifices, and heart you pour into this profession before you ever step onto an ambulance as licensed providers. We are unbelievably proud of the growth we’ve watched happen this year.
To our instructors and preceptors, thank you for investing your time, knowledge, patience, and mentorship into the future of EMS.
And to everyone working in EMS this week, from EMTs and paramedics to dispatchers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, respiratory therapists, physicians, and support staff, thank you for what you do every day for your communities.
Happy EMS Week from the ASUMH EMS Program.
Now hydrate, eat something besides gas station pizza, and please stop saying “it’s been quiet today.”