Kari Smistek

At American Medical Response (AMR), countless dedicated team members begin their emergency medical services (EMS) journey driven by a passion for helping others. Kari Smistek is one of them, and her story demonstrates just how far dedication, heart and opportunity can take you even when you least expect it.

Seven years ago, Kari no longer felt satisfied with her job. She was compelled to do more for people and humanity, especially within the City of Buffalo, New York where she lives, and was ultimately inspired by her dad’s work with the local children’s hospital.

She remembers affectionately, “I basically grew up at that hospital, and I eventually worked there; all four years of college. Being inside a building all day was not for me though.” Feeling connected to healthcare while dreaming of a dynamic role outdoors, she took a leap of faith and joined AMR’s Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program.

EWYL gives aspiring EMS professionals the chance to earn a paycheck while attending free training courses to become a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Not just on paper, mind you; it also prepares participants for patient care, so Kari was able to develop skills that helped her grow stronger mentally and physically.

From there, her career skyrocketed! She went on to become a field training officer, paramedic and acquired many additional certifications including her certified instructor coordinator (CIC) and certified lab instructor (CLI), which allow her to now lead as a main instructor in two separate settings; a true testament to the progression of mentee to peer to mentor.

“All of this was made possible, encouraged by and paid for by AMR,” Kari adds. “If you have the drive to grow here, we will help you!” Her professional journey is exactly what advancement within AMR and Global Medical Response is all about, and what can happen when talent meets support.