Helenka Ostrum: A Lifelong Learner in Public Health and Safety
Helenka Ostrum
EMT Basic Level
麻豆视频
Helenka is the true definition of a lifelong learner - one who is committed to public
health and safety.
While working for the Federal Government in women鈥檚 public health with a focus on
cervical cancer prevention her remote position was suddenly removed over the summer
of 2025 and she decided to pursue the EMT Basic Level intensive summer course at Sandhills
Community College to supplement her background and understand how community agencies
and emergency situations interact.
A native of New York, she obtained her undergraduate degree at Barnard College and
master's from Tufts University in Public Health. Her early travels took her to Moore
County while working with Food Corps and turned out to be where she met her husband
who served in the military. After stints in Texas and Maryland, where she worked with
state agencies and child nutrition programs in the school systems, they chose to come
back to the region to raise their two-year-old daughter.
鈥淭he program at Sandhills worked out well since it was at night and my husband could
take over childcare duties and weekend duties as needed,鈥� Helenka said. 鈥淚t was condensed,
and we learned a lot of information from very qualified instructors who were passionate
about their field. Hearing their real-life stories and examples made the material
come to life in the book and I enjoyed learning medical terminology.鈥�
She had four, 12-day clinical shifts in the region and said going out on calls and
seeing the interactions in real time really made a difference. 鈥淭he ambulance simulator
that is being added in Foundation Hall will really make a difference in the program
too.鈥�
Often EMT鈥檚 are on the front lines walking into a home that may have food insecurities that caused symptoms or mental health needs and it鈥檚 impressive to see the resources and knowledge that can be shared to help someone鈥檚 quality of life.
She finished the program and passed the state exam to earn a North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician credential. Her plans include perhaps volunteering as an EMT like her father, a retired veterinarian, does in New York, while applying all of the knowledge to a future public health position. 鈥淭he services are very intertwined. Often EMT鈥檚 are on the front lines walking into a home that may have food insecurities that caused symptoms or mental health needs and it鈥檚 impressive to see the resources and knowledge that can be shared to help someone鈥檚 quality of life. I valued the time in the program at Sandhills to see how it all comes together to serve the public鈥檚 best interest.鈥�
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