EMS teaching qualifications:  The instructor holds a bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University. She has been an Emergency Medical Technician for more than 24 years continuously and an AHA instructor for more than 16 years, specializing in Heartsaver and Basic Life Support skills.  She regularly assists EMS instructors at Columbia College by acting as a proctor for skills testing.  She was a Tuolumne County firefighter and fire officer for 9.5 years.

Other history includes 26 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, much of that time covering emergency services; ten years full time and part time as a deputy probation officer; and various short terms in medical office help, including at Foothill Horizons outdoor education program.