Opinion

By Denzel Agyeman

I spent four years chasing victory on the track as a Division 1 athlete at UMass Amherst. I trained for long hours and learned the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and dedication. I pushed myself physically and mentally while balancing the rigorous training with taxing academic studies.

Upon graduation, I wanted to take these skills into a career that demanded the same focus, resilience, and collaboration, but in a way that I could make a difference. I decided to pursue a path into medicine and I set my sights on becoming a physician assistant (PA). I knew I had to sacrifice long hours to get hands-on patient care experience before applying to PA school. I shadowed a neurosurgeon at Baystate Medical Center, who advised me to become an emergency medical technician (EMT).

I turned to American Medical Response’s (AMR) Earn While You Learn program, where I was compensated to take EMT classes. Within 12 weeks, I learned how to be a first responder for the city of Springfield. It exposed me to the reality of medical care in the field, before patients are handed off to the hospital.

Becoming an EMT combines everything I love about being an athlete — teamwork, communication, and discipline — but with a much deeper sense of purpose. My experience on the track helped prepare me for the moment I heard my first call come over the radio as a first responder. The feeling of adrenaline was familiar. It pushed me to move faster, assess what’s ahead, and work efficiently under pressure. But now the stakes were even higher.

On the track, and now in the ambulance, teamwork is at the forefront of everything I do. My colleagues at AMR are the ultimate team players. We work together to make quick decisions and offer support. We keep each other and our community safe. And we consistently push each other to provide the best patient care possible. We also collaborate with other skilled first responders, including Springfield firefighters, police officers, and hospital personnel, all dedicated to helping our neighbors in times of need.

In track, I learned that communication isn’t always about talking; it’s about listening — to my coach, my teammates, and my body. As an EMT, that skill translates into every call I go on. I listen to our patients and help them through some of their worst possible moments. I listen to family members and provide comfort and reassurance. I listen to my instincts and the guidance of my partner. Earn While You Learn has taught me to communicate both professionally and personally with patients, making chaotic situations run smoothly with empathy and integrity.

I’ve traded in the medals for stretchers. I’m still running, but now it’s to help ease someone’s pain, make them breathe easier, or simply help them feel safe. My new team may look different, but it’s not unique. Emergency medical service is filled with athletes, veterans, and caregivers, all doing extraordinary things to be there at a moment’s notice for our community. For anyone looking for a greater purpose in life, consider this uniform.

AMR’s Earn While You Learn program is designed to cultivate the next generation of EMTs by providing trainees with full-time employment from day one. Participants receive free tuition, training, lab fees, books, testing, and equipment — all while earning a paycheck during class. Upon completion of the program and EMT certification, graduates receive a pay increase and comprehensive benefits.

Since its inception by AMR’s parent company, Global Medical Response (GMR), the Earn While You Learn program has expanded to 42 states and 173 cities and has graduated nearly 3,000 students.

Denzel Agyeman is a former UMass Amherst athlete and recent graduate of American Medical Response’s Earn While You Learn program.