Paramedic Professional Identity: Who Are We?
Dr. Susan Smith Braithwaite, NRP, began her EMS career in 1988 as a paramedic in Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Medical Care from WCU in 1988, her Master of Education degree from North Carolina State University in 2007 and completed her Doctor of Education Degree in Adult and Community College Education from the North Carolina State University in 2014. Currently serving as the Program Director for Emergency Medical Care, Susan joined the WCU faculty in 2012 and primarily teaches courses in cardiology, cardiac arrest resuscitation and ECG interpretation. As a tenured faculty member, research interests include ethical decision-making, professional identity, Drawing for Retention and other active learning strategies. Susan recently joined the editorial team of the Paramedicine journal, as a Regional Associate Editor representing North America. She as the serves as faculty for the National Association of EMT’s for both Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support and Advanced Medical Life Support. Susan is an instructor/coordinator for the American Heart Association for Pediatric, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support. She is a Level II Paramedic Coordinator through the North Carolina Office of EMS and a Nationally Registered Paramedic.