In Good Hands

By Brady Lynch '22, January 22, 2021

Field hockey standout Kristen Rafferty ’20 served as a volunteer EMT in her hometown.

Kristen Rafferty '20 routinely worked 11-hour overnight shifts as a volunteer EMT.

(Photos submitted)

Being a student-athlete at the collegiate level is a job in itself, taking a toll both mentally and physically on an individual. It can be difficult to balance other activities besides classes and your sport, but for Kristen Rafferty ’20 this was no problem.

As a health sciences major with a Spanish minor who was also a member of the Ithaca College field hockey team, Rafferty was without a doubt very busy. However, prior to her sophomore year, she decided to complete a ten-week college course for EMT training in her hometown of Byram Township, New Jersey.

“I have always enjoyed volunteering in my community. I have always had a passion to be a part of the healthcare field, and this has allowed me to combine these two interests,” Rafferty said.

The summer course allowed Rafferty to take part in ride-alongs with her local EMT squad, providing her insight into what actually happened on these calls.

“During the pandemic, I received several notes regarding my patient care. This was especially meaningful during this time where people were very nervous, and it was important to ensure them that we would take good care of them.”

Kristen Rafferty ’20

“I took my EMT exam right before I headed back for preseason for field hockey and remember getting the news that I passed the exam as we were on our way to Ithaca,” she said. “It was such an accomplishment, especially while also working and doing my preseason workouts.”

The hours of an EMT can often be difficult. When virtual classes began last spring, she immediately began volunteering back home, and would often work 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. shifts multiple times a week while still balancing academics. Although time consuming, Rafferty says the long hours were worth it.

“It is very rewarding when patients and their families contact the squad to tell us about their positive experience with Lakeland Emergency Squad,” she said. “During the pandemic, I received several notes regarding my patient care. This was especially meaningful during this time where people were very nervous, and it was important to ensure them that we would take good care of them.”

After graduating this past December, her next goal is to enroll in the college’s newly-formed graduate Physician's Assistant program* so she can continue her education on South Hill.

“I have enjoyed the variety of courses that comprise the health sciences major, especially the field work component. I feel that it is critically important to be able to take what you have learned in the classroom and apply it in real life situations.”

Kristen Rafferty ’20

After completing her education, Rafferty plans to pursue a career in emergency room medicine where she will use the skills she has learned at IC.

“I have enjoyed the variety of courses that comprise the health sciences major, especially the field work component,” she said. “I feel that it is critically important to be able to take what you have learned in the classroom and apply it in real life situations.”

*Ithaca College has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Ithaca College anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2021, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the March 2021 ARC-PA meeting and New York State Education Department (NYSED) approval to register the program.

Accreditation – Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Program approval is not guaranteed. In the event ARC-PA withholds accreditation, or NYSED does not register the program, Ithaca College will not admit students to begin in August 2021 and will pursue accreditation and program registration in the next review cycle.