College of Medicine student brings lifesaving science to the front lines of emergency care
A local fire station in Fivepoint became an extension of the Penn State College of Medicine (COM) classroom during a recent training focused on community health, led by student and Emergency Medicine Technician (EMT), Michael Ebert.
Driven by a commitment to translate medical education into meaningful, real-world impact, Ebert, designed and led a hands-on continuing education program focused on cardiac arrest response for regional emergency responders. The training brought together approximately 45 firefighters and EMS professionals from three local fire departments, reinforcing the College’s mission where knowledge becomes practice and service strengthens communities.
Hosted at the Fivepointville Fire Department through a partnership between the Penn State Anatomy Graduate Program and the Fivepointville Ambulance Association, the evening addressed the full arc of a cardiac arrest call.
The training featured four interactive stations that blended medical science with real-world emergency response. Participants explored cardiac anatomy and physiology, practiced high-quality CPR and AED use, gained hands-on experience with advanced resuscitation technology and strengthened teamwork and patient transfer skills. Together, the stations explored the critical connection between academic medicine and frontline emergency care.
“As future educators and health care professionals, our responsibility extends beyond our own training,” Ebert said. “It’s about supporting the people on the front lines and collaborating with the systems that care for our communities every day.”
Through partnership, innovation and service, the training demonstrated how academic medicine extends its impact into communities by improving health and saving lives.
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