Lakes Region Community College’s Raelyn Cottrell, a seasoned educator with 25 years of experience in the field of emergency medical services training, is the college’s program coordinator and a dedicated emergency room technician. Over the years, she has seen over 1,000 aspiring emergency technicians through her rigorous program.

A groundbreaking initiative was set in motion when Ian Watt, one of Raelyn’s former students stationed overseas, reached out with a need for fellow Army medics. Watt hoped the college could establish a program to empower those in his platoon to earn Advanced Emergency Medicine Technician certificates.

With vision and determination, Cottrell created an innovative hybrid learning experience, combining Zoom lectures with hands-on training, forging partnerships with physician assistants overseas. This fall, her vision became a reality. Four AEMT students have now enlisted in her class, engaging in two evenings of education every week.

What sets these students apart is their unique deployment in distant lands such as Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Despite navigating the complexities of varying time zones, some of them tune in for Cottrell’s lectures as late as 10 p.m.

“Empowering our military heroes with lifesaving skills is a mission close to my heart. Working with these exceptional AEMT students, even from afar, has been truly inspiring,” said Cottrell.

Her favorite course material is teaching on emergency childbirth. Her passion, though, lies in witnessing her pupils evolve into successful professionals as they, in turn, embark on their journeys of impacting lives.

While the course will conclude for inperson participants in February, the four students serving in the Army will journey to Lakes Region Community College in March to complete their AEMT in person.

— LACONIA DAILY SUN STAFF