Tell us about your family: Newly married to Nicholas Waskosky who also works on the ambulance. (This is actually how we met.) Nick and I have one horse, one dog and one cat.  

What are some of your hobbies? Bow and rifle hunting, fishing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cycling/triathlon, skating, water and snow skiing, volleyball, softball, kayaking and golf (to name a few)

Where do you work/what do you do? I work as a full time Paramedic and EMT instructor with Tri-County Healthcare, and as an EMT with Henning Ambulance. I also make wedding cakes in my spare time. 

How long have you been on the ambulance service? Just about 7 years. 

Why did you join the ambulance service? As a pastry chef, I was becoming unhappy in the restaurant world, as “something” was missing. I always had an interest in medical but never pursued it right away. However, a fellow cook was going through EMT classes, and I started asking a bunch of questions. My friend told me to go for it, so I did! I do this because I love to help people. I never like to see people sick or injured, but I want to be there when they are, to try make a difference. I also knew that our community needs volunteers to do this job. I also admit to being a bit of an adrenaline junkie and like the fast paced environment we often find ourselves in and be a problem solver.  

What do you enjoy about being on the department? It’s been fun to see the service grow. We’ve had senior members retire and now new/younger crew members are joining the squad. It’s fun to see community involvement and awareness and we get to serve our community.  

What has been the most rewarding part of being on the ambulance service? Being able to be the “calm in the storm”, when the world starts getting crazy and people are having possibly the worse day of their lives, knowing that we’re there to help and trying to make a difference. Some situations are tough and leave a lasting mark that will never be forgotten, but knowing that you did your best to save a life or comfort a patient. Sometimes it’s the small hint of a smile or laugh, that gets the patient’s mind off their injury or illness for even a brief moment, that’s what counts. Also, being able to see a patient you’ve once treated and helped, make a full recovery and knowing that we were possibly the very start of their journey of getting better.