Paramedics Ready to Save Lives  

The Atlantic Paramedic Academy presented diplomas to 69 graduates on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 in a ceremony  held at The Playhouse, located at 686 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB commencing at 6:30 pm.  

The Atlantic Paramedic Academy, founded in 2001 by St. John Ambulance, was transitioned to Medavie EMS Inc. on December 1, 2008.  The Academy is celebrating its 8th anniversary of training paramedics in New Brunswick.  Students graduating from the Academy have gained the training and experience that will enable them to handle any emergency situation.  Paramedic training programs at the APA are accredited by the Canadian Medical Association.  

Guest of Honour was Dr. André Touchburn, Provincial Medical Director for Ambulance New Brunswick (ANB) as of November 1st, 2008.  Over the years, Dr. Touchburn has held various positions within New Brunswick’s medical community such as Director of the Emergency Department at the Georges Dumont Hospital in Moncton, Medical Director of the Shediac Ambulance Service and has been the Medical Oversight Physician for the East Region of Ambulance New Brunswick since 2007.  

Other speakers included George McLellan, CEO of Medavie EMS; Gil Carter, member of the St. John Ambulance Board of Directors; and Don Wilson, President of the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick.  

Medavie EMS has a strong track record in the design, development and management of emergency medical services.  Medavie EMS believes in building a culture of care and providing service excellence.  Medavie EMS is also committed to making the Atlantic Paramedic Academy a world-class academic institution.   

Medavie EMS Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medavie Inc., a company that is doing business as Medavie Blue Cross in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces. With roots dating back to 1943, Medavie Blue Cross is a not-for-profit company providing prepaid health care insurance to individuals and companies in six provinces as well as administering health programs on behalf of the governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the federal government, the latter on a national basis.