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New EMS Program To Be Established at Holy Family

An ambulance on a city street with its lights and sirens on


Holy Family University has announced plans to establish the EMS Training & Education Institute at its Northeast campus. The new emergency medical services program was designed in response to urgent requests from the University’s community partners, which helped to identify a critical public health and workforce need: the region is experiencing a growing shortage of trained emergency medical providers and an increasing demand for their services.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently awarded $200,000 in funding to Holy Family to help launch this vital training program, which will serve as a hub for collaboration with local hospitals, ambulance services, and public health agencies, and as a model for other communities. The funds will be used, in part, to create a dedicated EMS lab and ambulance simulator. 

When approved by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions, the EMS Training & Education Institute will offer stackable certification options—from emergency medical technician (EMT) to advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) to paramedic—allowing for entry into the emergency medical services field in as little as four months and providing a path for continued career advancement. Holy Family University also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency medical services and leadership. 

President Anne Prisco, State Senator Joe Picozzi, and State Rep Pat Gallagher at the announcement of PA's grant for the EMS Training & Education Institute.
Holy Family President Anne Prisco, Ph.D., State Senator Joe Picozzi, and State Representative Pat Gallagher were among those at the announcement of Pennsylvania's grant for the EMS Training & Education Institute.


“The EMS Training & Education Institute will provide hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences that prepare students for the life-saving situations they will encounter,” says Holy Family University President Anne Prisco, Ph.D. “The Institute will strengthen our community by providing students a pathway to rewarding, lifelong careers while enhancing local recruitment and retention of trained emergency medical service professionals, ensuring faster emergency response times and better patient outcomes.” 

“As the son of a Philadelphia firefighter, I know that Philadelphia’s emergency medical services are under immense pressure due to a shortage of trained providers,” says State Senator Joe Picozzi, who supported the funding of the EMS Training & Education Institute. “This program will serve our community for years to come.”

“Holy Family is not just building a program. It is helping to save lives by strengthening the city’s frontline defense,” says State Representative Pat Gallagher, who also championed the effort. "As the son of a Philadelphia police officer, I strongly support programs that prepare and train future first responders."

For Gerald Wydro ’90, M.D., a member of the Holy Family Board of Trustees with 40 years of EMS experience in the region, “Holy Family University’s EMS Training & Education Institute will raise the bar on educating the next generation of EMS professionals to serve our communities. Leveraging its deep roots in medical education, Holy Family is well prepared to create an exceptional program for our first responders. ”