People of Georgian: Instructor inspires next generation of paramedics

What’s your story?

It’s Paramedic Services Week, so we’re sharing the story of one of our many amazing paramedic faculty members, who’s also a two-time Georgian College alumnus.

People of Georgian: Meet Paul Shimoda

As a paramedic, there are some calls where you were just in the right place at the right time to have the greatest possible outcome.

And then there are calls where there’s absolutely nothing anybody could have done.

I’ve had the privilege to help deliver five babies as a paramedic, which were all fantastic experiences. It’s a feeling that can’t be replaced by anything that you could possibly imagine. Paramedics have those kinds of highs – but also lows that can feel heavy. The educator in me believes there’s always something to learn from every call, even the worst ones.

A person smiles with their arms crossed against their chest and leans against a wall. — *Paul’s a clinical instructor in Georgian’s paramedic programming.*

It’s a stressful job, but in the weirdest ways.

Maybe 90 per cent of it is being a customer service person and helping grandma off the ground where she slipped and fell and making her a cup of tea. The other 10 per cent is absolute chaos where everything’s on fire, so to speak.

It can be really stressful or the most chill job ever where it feels like you’re just going for a drive with a good friend who’s also your paramedic partner. You learn to manage stress in ways you never would otherwise.

‘Being a paramedic is the best job in the world’

I started with the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services in 2012 when I was 21 years old, and I’ve loved every minute of it through all the ups and downs. In my mind, being a paramedic is the best job in the world.

I’ve also always had a mindset for education. Even when I was a Georgian student, I was a tutor and a student engagement leader for the Paramedic program.

It’s been a great ride juggling both careers.

‘Paramedicine … brings me an immense amount of joy’

Paramedicine is a great match for me because I love problem solving and helping people. It brings me an immense amount of joy.

I wouldn’t say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but I think you have to be to a certain extent to be in this career to deal with new challenges every single day in constantly changing environments.

The camaraderie between paramedics is also special and irreplaceable. There’s a brotherhood/sisterhood, and you learn to trust and love your coworkers.

Paul walks paramedic students through first experiences at hospitals

I’ve been teaching in a clinical setting for the last several years with Georgian, and it’s very rewarding to help students with hands-on learning in hospitals – everything from the emergency room to birthing unit to intensive care unit to cardiac care.

As a clinical instructor, I get to walk side by side with these students while they see all kinds of things for the first time, such as a patient who’s experiencing a massive heart attack. Paramedics play a big role in the health care system, and I get to show students where they go, what happens and possibly the impacts they have on a patient’s outcome. It’s a really cool way to educate people.

Another thing I love about being a clinical instructor is then seeing them years later working as paramedics. I get to shake their hand and say, “You did it!”

We become colleagues and get to live this insane career together.

Paul Shimoda (he/him), part-time clinical instructor in Georgian’s paramedic programs and alumnus of the Pre-health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (class of 2010) and Paramedic (class of 2012) programs.