The Indiana EMS Association recently named Jeff Lawley, program chair of the Paramedic Science program at Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso campus, as EMS Educator of the Year at its conference in West Lafayette.
Under Lawley’s leadership, the program recently achieved an initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
“I was surprised and humbled,” Lawley said. “It’s a validation of the work put into helping students succeed and helping them become what they’ve worked towards.”
Lawley successfully championed the first college-based Emergency Medical Services program in five counties, including the Paramedic Science program at Ivy Tech. He also created new educational pathways for his current and former peers, as more than 50 paramedics and firefighters have been able to obtain a college degree with this program.
“My goal is to be a student advocate and help facilitate students in the transition to becoming healthcare professionals who can go back to their communities and care for society, while also looking for ways to proactively help improve overall health,” Lawley said.
Outside of Ivy Tech, Lawley works as a paramedic for Phoenix Paramedic Solutions in Rensselaer and coaches Special Olympics. He also plans to earn a master’s degree in education.
