Ashia Starks is building a powerful bridge between EMS and education. Her leadership brings EMS into the classroom and inspires youth to explore EMS and healthcare careers.
#EMSHeroesHighlights #RuralEMS #FirstResponders #EMSSavesLives
Submitted by: Haden Merkel – Mobridge, SD
Ashia Starks is helping build the future of EMS by connecting education, career exploration, and community service in powerful and practical ways.
As Haden Merkel shared, “Ashia Starks is a member of Selby Volunteer Ambulance and also teaches at Selby Herreid Public Schools.” In her role, “she runs their Health Care Career and Technical Education program and has been instrumental in getting area youth excited about careers in EMS and other health care fields.”
Over the past two years, Ashia has helped teach EMT training classes and prepare students for their NEMT exams, giving young people early exposure to EMS and health care careers. As Haden reflected, “It is wonderful to see EMS integrated into public schools in this way, and it gives a great model for other services and gives me a lot of hope for the future of EMS.”
Ashia’s work also aligns closely with regional efforts to strengthen the EMS pipeline. “As part of our regional work, we are creating a K–12 curriculum and summer camp for 3–5 grade students,” Haden shared, adding that “it’s folks like Ashia who really bring the curriculum to life for local students.”
Through her commitment to education and EMS, Ashia is helping ensure a strong and sustainable future for rural emergency services.
@South Dakota EMS Association @SDAA
