Garnering statewide accolades, Josh Kern was recently named Dixie State University’s EMS Instructor of the Year.
Kern, an instructor and clinical coordinator for DSU’s emergency medical services program, was honored with the recognition by the Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Service & Preparedness on Wednesday at the Utah EMS Awards Ceremony in West Jordan. The ceremony honored individuals who are examples in the field of emergency medical services.
“This is a well-deserved honor for Josh,” said Shanna Alger, director of DSU’s EMS program. “I am so lucky to have such a high-caliber instructor on my team. His extensive experience and knowledge base are strong assets to our students and our program.”
Kern started his career in law enforcement in Atlanta before moving to Salt Lake County and becoming a firefighter. In 2006, Kern came to southern Utah, working for Iron County Emergency Management and then Hurricane City Fire Department. He began teaching at DSU but then served for the State Department in Iraq for one year and Afghanistan for another. Upon his return, Kern continued teaching and has since contributed to DSU’s EMS program.
“I got into teaching and just fell in love with it,” Kern said. “I love seeing the light come on in students’ eyes when they come to understand a complicated concept.”
In speaking about receiving the award, Kern said he’s not one who typically enjoys the limelight but that he appreciates being recognized by his peers for his work.
“One of the things we always try to do in our profession is improve the quality of the next generation coming up,” Kern said. “I want them to be better prepared when they graduate from our program than I was when I graduated.”
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