Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 19

Aetna Paramedic receives Kudos from the Cath LabSOMERS — During June 2016, ASM Paramedic Billy Schnepp and his partner Bill Gorman responded to a medical call in Somers, CT. The patient had a witnessed cardiac arrest, was defibrillated by Somers Fire Department prior to ASM’s arrival. The patient had a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) from Somers FD efforts and was being loaded into their ambulance.

The patient became slowly able to follow commands and answer questions in the ambulance and responded to care consistent with protocol. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Billy wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to [Hospital], activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#16-43800). Early intervention, teamwork and technology all in play to improve outcomes.

Somers Fire DepartmentExcellent job by Somers Fire Department in their aggressive, accurate and appropriate care. Great job by Billy and Bill on deploying wireless STEMI transmission. This is a strong example of teamwork among ASM and our partners. ASM is proud to work alongside Somers Fire Department. 

ASM at Manchester High School Health Fair, 2016

MANCHESTER — On May 24, 2016 ASM’s Billy Schnepp and Brian Langan attended a Health Fair at Manchester High School to talk to students about about emergency medical services as a health-related career and the role of Paramedics and EMTs during medical emergencies and within the health system.

MHS Health Fair 2016

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 18

Aetna Paramedic receives Kudos from the Cath LabSOMERS — During early May 2016, ASM Paramedic Billy Schnepp and his partner Brian Langan responded to a medical call in Somers, CT. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Billy wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to UConn Health in Farmington, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#16-33635).

Per UConn Health: 
A 12-lead ECG revealed a high lateral STEMI. Schnepp consulted with medical control for destination due to patient’s requested choice of PCI center, and received permission to transport to UCONN John Dempsey Hospital. Due to concern for potential patient deterioration, Schnepp received intercept help from Windsor EMS paramedic Wayne Cabral.

STEMI UConnSchnepp called in a STEMI Alert from 33 minutes out. When they arrived at the hospital, thanks to the early notification, the patient was taken directly to the cardiac cath lab on the EMS stretcher where Dr. Michael Azrin and team found a 100% acute thrombic occlusion of the patient’s mid left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD), which was successfully cleared and stented, restoring perfusion. The patient is doing well, thanks to the great job by the EMS/Hospital STEMI team!

19 Minute Door to Balloon. 71 Minute First Medical Contact to Balloon
ED Team: Paul Kaloudis, MD, Leslie Mulhall, RN
Cardiology/Cath Lab Team—Dr. Christopher Pickett, Dr. Michael Azrin, Dr. Nelson Chavarria, Elizabeth Drotar,
R.N., Patricia. Weigle, R.N. , Patty Fagan, R.N., Shelia LaFleur, R.N.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Billy Schnepp Completes Precepting Phase

Billy Schnepp between Vinnie Maston (L) and Nancy Brunet (R)

Billy Schnepp between Vinnie Maston (L) and ECHN’s Nancy Brunet (R)

MANCHESTER – As of August 3, 2015, ASM’s Billy Schnepp has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Billy’s preceptors were Paramedic Don Hart and Paramedic Supervisor Melissa Osborne. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at ASM, Billy’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Billy and his preceptor (Vinnie Maston for Billy’s final shift) in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Billy started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2012 and graduated from the New Britain EMS Academy Paramedic Program. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a focus on neuroscience.

On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Billy the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team

MANCHESTER– On August 15, 2012, four EMTs were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth ASM and Aetna seek out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

Nicole Geier: I am 27 years old and I reside in Windsor, Connecticut with my husband Chris, our dog, Bender and our cat, Fry. I am currently enrolled in the Goodwin College Nursing Program and I will become a Registered Nurse in May 2014. With the Bachelor’s degree I already have in Criminal Justice; I hope to become an RN in a correctional facility. I spend most of my time volunteering at the Windsor Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT as well as volunteering at the Windsor Volunteer Ambulance, where I completed my EMT certification class this past May. I enjoy listening to music, playing the guitar and piano, watching TV and hanging out with family and friends. I love Diet Coke, the Red Sox and anything related to zombies (movies, books, video games – you name it!). I am looking forward to beginning my new career within the EMS field at ASM.

Michael Hoyt: I am 36 years old and live in Bolton with my girlfriend, Stephanie. I became interested in EMS while exploring a career change to nursing. I spent ten years working with people with disabilities throughout the state. After spending too much time at a desk, I wanted something more direct, more hands-on. I missed the personal connection to those I was serving. Since my first exposure to patient care, I’ve been hooked. I received my EMT certification in January from ASM and plan to study for my Paramedic license sometime in the future. I was impressed by the caliber of people I met while studying at ASM and feel honored to join the family. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and travel. I also enjoy playing with my nephews, building with blocks, playing cars, or perhaps the most pleasurable of all life’s pursuits, Legos.

Mikhail A. Khan: Full time EMT. When I was offered a position at ASM, one of the paramedics patted me on the back and welcomed me aboard. It was then I knew I had joined a great team. Anybody can kick a football but only a focused, coordinated team can win a championship.

Having traveled extensively, I have lived on three continents and am fluent in three languages and conversant in a few more. I spent many years in South Asia and East Africa and have traveled in Europe. Listening to Pink Floyd and U2 while hiking in the Himalayas and to Led Zeppelin and Queen during safaris, I am a huge music buff. My educational background is wide ranging, studying in an American Embassy School as well as strict Catholic schools. This exposure to different cultures has taught me that there are far more similarities than differences among people. I am an avid swimmer and an outdoor enthusiast.

My interest in EMS was sparked when I was only nine years old at a swimming pool. The lifeless body of a little boy had been pulled out of the deep end of the pool. There was pandemonium; the child’s family was hysterical while onlookers watched. My father, who had been trained in first aid, immediately took action and performed CPR on the boy who started to breathe. I will never forget how quickly his skin changed from ashen-blue to pink. It was then that I realized that EMS is a field where one can make a difference.

After many years, I entered the banking industry, living my life in a metaphorical and literal cubical. Once I completed the EMT program at Hartford Hospital and started volunteering extensively at a volunteer ambulance, I was professionally and personally invigorated. I have had the opportunity to work with some very talented paramedics and EMTs and aspire to become a paramedic in the near future by furthering my education in this area. I have come to learn that perseverance commands success.

Billy Schnepp: My name is Billy Schnepp. I am 22 years old and from Suffield, CT. I’ve been an EMT since high school and have been hooked ever since. I recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a focus on neuroscience. In college, I volunteered as a clinical interpreter at a primary care office in Willimantic to help bridge the gap between Spanish-speaking patients and English-speaking providers. In my down-time, I enjoy swimming, reading, spending time with friends, and browsing clinical research. I am fascinated by the human body and am looking to pursue nursing school. I would ultimately like to become a physician or clinical psychologist. I’m always looking to further strengthen my skills in EMS, as well as obtain enrichment in all aspects of emergency care. I am looking forward to joining the ASM team.