Phoenix High School Partners with Mercy Flights and RCC for EMS Project

Phoenix, Oregon– Phoenix High School is collaborating with Mercy Flights and Rogue Community College to launch an emergency medical services (EMS) pilot project. This initiative, beginning this fall, aims to offer college credit to high school students interested in an EMS career.

In recent years, opportunities for high school students to earn college credits have grown, with a focus on providing early career and technical education. This new program is designed to give students a solid foundation in healthcare, allowing them to explore career paths that align with their interests and learning styles.

Over the past year, Phoenix High School, Mercy Flights, and Rogue Community College have developed a curriculum to educate students about healthcare careers. Upon completion of the course, students will receive their Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate and CPR and First Aid certifications.

Rusty Riis, Rogue Community College EMS Department Chair/Faculty, highlighted the benefits of the program. “Innovative partnerships like this create valuable opportunities for students and strengthen the Emergency Services Industry,” he said. “High school and college programs allow students to explore careers and earn free college credits in their classrooms, reducing their overall college costs.”

The program, which was introduced at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, received over 50 registrations from sophomores to seniors. It is open to all students who complete prerequisite courses, including Emergency Care, Safety Plans and Prevention, and Body Work (pre-anatomy and physiology).

The curriculum will be co-taught by a Phoenix High School health educator and a Mercy Flights instructor, with hours spent in the classroom counting towards college credit. This approach helps students move closer to their educational goals before graduating high school.

Brent Barry, Phoenix-Talent School District Superintendent, emphasized the significance of this opportunity. “Providing an opportunity in high school for students to gain college credits will positively position their next steps once they graduate high school. Our vision for this collaboration is to ultimately see more students enter the healthcare workforce,” he said.

This partnership aligns with Mercy Flights’ Southern Oregon EMS Apprenticeship Program (SOEMSAP), which aims to expand and diversify the EMS workforce in the region while addressing the forecasted healthcare workforce crisis.

Sheila Clough, Mercy Flights CEO, expressed her support for the initiative. “It is our desire that our partnership with Phoenix High School and Rogue Community College will continue to strengthen our efforts in building the next generation of healthcare professionals,” she said. “We are grateful for the collaboration from our education partners. This is a testament that we are all in this together, working toward a better future in healthcare.”

PHS students can also participate in the Mercy Flights Explorer Post 131 program, an interactive career education program focusing on fields such as fire, EMS, and law enforcement. This program provides youth and young adults with insight into the world of emergency medical services, offering relevant training and community service opportunities.