Paramedic Program Faculty Damien Coy Selected as the Winner of the 2024 NAEMT Educator of the Year Award

August 8, 2024

The National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) released their 2024 National EMS Awards of Excellence Recipients.  We are excited to announce that our very own Damien Coy, Paramedic Program Regional Coordinator, has been named the 2024 EMS Educator of the Year by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians! The recipient of this award demonstrates excellence in providing EMS education to students, as well as serving as an outstanding role model for their students and fellow educators. 

 

NAEMT's full statement about Damien (source):

Coy is Regional Paramedic Program Coordinator for the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Trauma and Critical Care Education (VCU CTCCE), serving in the Crater and Tidewater Regions. He is a Nationally Certified EMS Educator, as well as a Virginia EMS Education Coordinator. “By incorporating case studies and problem-solving exercises, he challenges students to think critically and develop practical skills that are essential for success in EMS,” noted a colleague. He “excels in mentoring EMS students through all stages of their professional development by providing personalized guidance, fostering a supportive learning environment, and serving as a role model for excellence.” His EMS experience spans nearly two decades, serving as a paramedic for Richmond Ambulance Authority, Northumberland Department of Emergency Services, and Fort Belvoir EMS. He previously served as the Program Director for EMS Programs at Brightpoint Community College, EMS Education Program Coordinator for James City County Fire Department, and Field Coordinator with the Old Dominion EMS Alliance (ODEMSA). He was an adjunct EMS instructor with Virginia Peninsula Community College, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, ECPI University, and VCU CTCCE for several years before joining full time. Coy received the ODEMSA 2023 Regional EMS Award for Outstanding Prehospital Educator. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Military History from Longwood University, planning to become a high school history teacher and wrestling coach before finding his genuine passion in EMS, and later, EMS education. He is pursuing a Master of Public Safety Leadership and Administration at Arizona State University. 

We are very proud of Damien and his accomplishments and are looking forward to his continued efforts in the classroom and his positive influence on the direction of the EMS profession.