Despite being a paramedic for only seven months at Oglethorpe County Emergency Medical Services, Katie Pierce was selected as the county’s paramedic of the year.
The accomplishment was a surprise.
“It’s amazing,” she said.
Pierce was recognized at the Region 10 banquet last month. Region 10 also includes Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee and Walton counties.
Not only does she love the uniqueness of the job, she also loves the people she works with. She thinks of her coworkers as her “family.”
While on calls, Pierce is often partnered with Lane Grier, a resident of Arnoldsville who has worked as an EMT the past four years.
“We’re really proud of her,” Grier said. “She put in a lot of work this year. I just think it’s fitting that she is the one that won it.”
Pierce began her journey at Oglethorpe County EMS as an advanced emergency medical technician. She has been a paramedic for about seven months, receiving her license at the end of last October.
She chose to become a paramedic after working at a medical office for a couple years.
The adrenaline rush and being able to interact with the patients in an intimate setting appealed to Pierce.
“It just kind of gets to be the same thing every day,” she said. “EMS is different. You never know what you’re gonna have when you get a call.”
As a wife and mother to three daughters who live in Crawford, Pierce enjoys being able to connect with her “welcoming community” by helping her patients through their worst days.
“I love being able to help patients and hopefully help make their worst day a little bit better,” she said.
Pierce also chose to work in the EMS field because of what it would teach her.
“The reason I became a paramedic was just so that I have more knowledge and tools to be able to help the patients when we’re not close by to other people,” Pierce said.
Pierce’s day begins early, when she starts by checking the truck and making sure the paramedics have all the tools needed for the day. She then completes tasks around the station until calls come.
“I feel like every day I try to do better, so I never feel like I’m there yet,” Pierce said. “It’s nice to feel appreciated.”