Navajo EMS celebrates the first academy graduates

Posted by Nicholas House | Jan 30, 2025 | News |

TÓ ŁIZHIN – The Navajo Nation Emergency Medical Service held its inaugural graduation ceremony for the 124BAS026 class at the Window Rock Unified School District Administration Building on Jan. 28.

This event marked the completion of the first academy-style course conducted by NEM

Navajo Times | Nicholas House
MaKayla Begay and Alisha Coho are awarded certificates of completion from the Navajo Nation Emergency Medical Service’s academy in Fort Defiance on Jan. 28.

S, which spanned 10 weeks and included 12 dedicated students. “I call them 12 strong,” said Chris Kescoli, the Navajo Nation EMS department manager. Out of 84 applicants, 12 were selected through a rigorous interview process.

The academy was led by Carol Nieto, a Navajo Nation EMS paramedic with nearly 30 years of experience and is affiliated with the University of New Mexico’s Emergency Medical Services Academy.

“According to New Mexico, they are New Mexico EMT students, and they will be getting their license through (the) New Mexico EMS Bureau,” Nieto said. “Their class number (124BAS026) represents that they are the twenty-sixth class that was conducted within New Mexico.”

Navajo Times | Nicholas House
Twelve graduates of the 124BAS026 class of the Navajo Nation Emergency Medical Services academy sit together during their commencement ceremony in Fort Defiance on Jan. 28.

Nieto said that this year will mark her 23rd year with the Navajo Nation EMS, and she intends to retire at the end of the year.

“This is my passion to teach these students, and I hope they are able to go out there and function as EMS providers for the Navajo Nation,” she said. Nieto joked that the Navajo Nation EMS has nice, fancy units that are high to get into and don’t want to break a leg getting out.

To read the full article, please see the Jan. 30, edition of the Navajo Times.