A nugget of EMS organizational wisdom every day. #35 Revel in your team’s success.
When I first started out as the Head Coach at CSL EMS, there was a young woman named Naomi Cherow who was awaiting clearance as a medic. She was small in stature, huge of heart and soul and more than anything she wanted to be a medic.
Naomi had been inspired by friends who were already volunteering with the service.
“I saved a baby’s life last night” is what I remember David Sasson saying to my parents when he visited one day. He was at my house with Mitch Sinclair while working at EMO [Cote Saint-Luc EMS started out as the local Emergency Measures Organization]. I was in awe and that was the day I decided I wanted to join EMO/EMS.”
Naomi became a medic on an extraordinarily difficult call which involved too much Narcan, a violent and agitated patient who burst out of the back of an ambulance and a subsequent footchase. She handled the call in typical Naomi fashion – she was caring, professional, and decidely calm.
We knew Naomi had what it takes to be a great medic. I cleared her for duty. I remember the occasion because she was so elated to be a full-fledged member of the team.
Like other members of CSL EMS, Naomi decided there was much more to being a medic than simply responding to emergency calls.
“I learned that those who share these same experiences have much in common and are able to help each other deal with difficult circumstances. I was fortunate to learn this and start a Peer Program called “SMART” – Stress Management and Response Team, with some training in Critical Incident Stress Management. Not many people understand why we do what we do and we are able to support each other.”
Naomi’s SMART initiative was unique at the time in our region. I’ve written about SMART in #9 Build Strong Scaffolding Your Team Can Rely On For Support
Naomi was a medic who understood that human touch was often our secret weapon. She knew healing and caring were not mutually exclusive.
“From working during heavy snowstorms, the Ice Storm of 1998, to various community events and then doing CPR on an elderly man in the middle of Aisle 6 at the local Canadian Tire with a crowd around me – and then meeting him several months later, was truly memorable. Those sensational stories don’t happen very often, but the calls from the elderly and holding their hand were just as precious and meaningful. I always felt like their grandchild – so they weren’t alone.”
Naomi Cherow took her experience, wisdom and medic skills with her when she left CSL EMS for Nursing School. She now provides her own special brand of caring as a nurse at one of the largest paediatric critical care units in Canada.
“EMS truly has bonded many of us together. What an amazing life experience, coming out of a small community volunteer group. You always believed in me and it truly made all the difference. Look at where I am now!“
I revel in her success and will always remember and be especially proud of the day Naomi became a medic. I’m so happy it happened on my watch.
Be well. Practice big medicine.
Hal
