(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A car accident four years ago left a lasting impression on the Sanchez family.
Each of them was in awe of the actions by the emergency medical services unit that came to their rescue. That would inspire mother Adriana, daughter Layla and son Seth to pursue Associate of Applied Science degrees in Paramedic as a family at Texas State Technical College.
“The EMS team who treated us was incredible,” Adriana Sanchez said. “Sometime after the accident, my children and I agreed that it would be a great idea to try out that profession. I became motivated to find out more information. A friend mentioned that there’s an EMS program at TSTC. So we enrolled.”
The three are enjoying their educational experience together.
“It’s exciting how it turned out to be a family journey,” Seth Sanchez said.
The Sanchezes were interested in the medical field long before their car accident.
“I enjoyed how the medical staff treated me when I gave birth to my daughter,” Adriana Sanchez said.
“It first started when I was young because my grandmother was a vocational nurse,” Layla Sanchez said.
“I’ve had a strong interest since middle school,” Seth Sanchez said. “My father said there’s always a need for medical personnel.”
The trio said their first semester has been fascinating.
“The lectures are thorough, and the instructors help me to understand the curriculum,” Adriana Sanchez said. “The cardiopulmonary resuscitation exercise is my favorite because I’m learning how to help a patient in a medical situation.”
“I have enjoyed how passionate the instructors are about the field,” Layla Sanchez said. “My favorite assignment has been checking for vital signs on a medical manikin.”
“I’ve learned the importance of our role because we help people get medical attention at a quick rate,” Seth Sanchez said. “My favorite exercise has been learning how to place a patient in the Kendrick extrication device. I never knew this type of equipment is used in the field.”
A Kendrick extrication device helps to remove traffic accident victims from motor vehicles.
The common denominator that motivates each of the three is a desire to help others.
“I look forward to learning the proper ways to help patients in cardiac situations and other areas,” Adriana Sanchez said.
“Having a career in the medical field is my dream, and I want to help my community,” Layla Sanchez said.
“I want to be that person that people can depend on when a medical situation arises,” Seth Sanchez said. “I want to help save lives.”
Oscar Cortez, TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program director, said the family makes a great team.
“It’s great to see them interact as professionals,” Cortez said. “A person never stops learning, and this is an excellent example of a parent pursuing the same career as their kids.”
According to onetonline.org, the need for emergency medical technicians in Texas was expected to grow 19% between 2020 and 2030.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paramedic, as well as certificates of completion in Emergency Medical Services – EMT, Emergency Medical Services – Advanced EMT AEMT, and Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic. The program is available at the Abilene, Brownwood and Harlingen campuses.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
