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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 26, 2005

The National EMS Academy (NEMSA), founded by Acadian Ambulance Service to alleviate the ongoing shortage of emergency medical technicians, was awarded the coveted Lantern Award of Louisiana Economic Development (LED) in ceremonies at the Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge. LED Secretary Michael J. Olivier presided over the awards ceremony with participation by Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

The Lantern Award was accepted by David LaCombe, director of the Academy, which was founded in partnership with South Louisiana Community College. The academy was chosen, according to LED's selection criteria, for its success and for "contributions to the economy of the entire community and the quality of life for all Louisianans."

Also considered in the selection of award recipients was NEMSA's commitment to the guidelines of the state's Visions 2020 economic development master plan -- a vision that by the year 2020, Louisiana will be a state with a vibrant, balanced economy, a fully-engaged, well-educated workforce and a quality of life that places it among the top ten states in the country in which to live, work, visit and do business. The guidelines emphasize technological advancement, and encourage businesses to focus on becoming Learning Enterprises which pursue and utilize knowledge as an important business element.

Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, nominated NEMSA for the honor. Gothreaux said the academy's innovative use of technology, its groundbreaking partnership with the South Louisiana Community College, and its focus on healthcare education for Louisiana's existing and future workforce made it an excellent choice for the award. "From the inaugural class in July 2003 to today, over a thousand students have passed through their doors in search of emergency medical training," he said. "Additionally, NEMSA has created the John Breaux Center for Research in EMS Education, which provides resources and facilities to researchers from around the world investigating the advancement of EMS education and the clinical practice of emergency care." A unique distance learning school, the academy has already had a positive impact on the shortage of paramedics. Since opening in May, 2003, it has graduated three classes in seven different cities.

"These are people who enter the academy without medical experience and, after a year, are prepared to seek national certification," LaCombe said. "They are taught by instructors chosen primarily from the Acadian Ambulance Service staff, with South Louisiana Community College providing such vital services as admissions processing, counseling and remediation courses." All classes are taught at the academy in Lafayette, and broadcast to classrooms in six other cities through state-of-the art interactive television technology. The purpose of the technological setup that allows instruction from one central site, Lacombe said, is to assure that the training program is consistent for every classroom. "In each classroom there is a nationally registered Paramedic serving as facilitator. The facilitator is responsible for those elements of the program requiring hands-on participation of students, such as practicing EMS application using a mannequin." Currently, remote classrooms are in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Covington, Houma, New Orleans and Lake Charles.

The John Breaux Center for Research in EMS Education is located at NEMSA's main campus in Lafayette. It was created in partnership with the American Heart Association, LaCombe said, to assist individuals and organizations with excellent research ideas who are unable to bring them to fruition because of a lack of funding, physical facilities, a study population, and a system for testing and evaluation. "Those whose applications are accepted by a review committee composed of personnel of the academy and other peer organizations receive the support they need," LaCombe said. "Officials of the academy and of the American Heart Association share the belief that encouraging and supporting research projects will result in significant - possibly life-saving -- advances in the EMS field." The research center was named for former U.S. Senator John Breaux as a tribute to his work toward advancing EMS nationwide, LaCombe said.

Acadian Ambulance Service Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag, who was present for the ceremony along with Medical Director Ross Judice, MD, said the cooperation of South Louisiana Community College and Chancellor Jan Brobst played an important role in qualifying Acadian for the award.
Other Lantern Award winners were Anna's Pies of Lake Charles, GM Shreveport Operations, Kaplan Telephone Co., Inc., Louisiana Business and Technology Center, Baton Rouge; Monroe Packaging of Monroe; Screening Systems International of Slaughter and The Wright Group of Crowley.

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