Suzanne Simmons has been named to head the Paramedic studies program at the Greenbrier Valley Campus of New River Community and Technical College.

The program has been revamped under the direction of Simmons who is affiliated with the Greenbrier County Emergency Ambulance service in Fairlea. She previously served with the Kanawha County Emergency and resides in Clintonville with her husband, Mark, and their three children.

Currently serving as a registered nurse in the emergency room of the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, she has resided in the Greenbrier Valley about 10 years.

The Paramedic course of study will lead to national certification as a paramedic and the courses are offered on the GVCNRCTC.

Courses offered this fall include EMT-Basic; Introduction to Emergency Medical Service; and Pharmacology. In related fields, the Medical Systems Technology field of study is offering Principles of Phlebotomy and the Lab this fall as well.

This summer, Jerry Kyle of Alderson who is affiliated with the state emergency services is the instructor for an EMT-Basic course which will be completed before the beginning of the fall term.

Being offered for the first time this fall are classes in Fire Administration including Legal Aspects of Fire Protection; Methods of Teaching; Building Construction: Fire Serve; and Fire Administration.

"The Paramedic and Fire Administration courses of study will fall under the reciprocity agreement between the Greenbrier Valley Campus and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in Clifton Forge, Va., and therefore are open to both West Virginia and Virginia students," notes Roger Griffith, director of the GVCNRCTC and a former member of the Athens Volunteer Fire Department.

For information on the programs and courses of study offered at the Greenbrier Valley Campus, telephone 304-647-6560 or write or visit the GVCNRCTC at 101 Church Street, Lewisburg, 24901.

July 20, 2005

Submitted by Mike Williams