Faces of the Fort: Connie Jenkins

Happy National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week! From May 17-23, we honor the incredible work that EMS professionals do every day. At Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, we interact with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics often. Sometimes, some of those EMTs and paramedics decide to transition from EMS to the hospital – like Connie Jenkins. Connie has been a cardiac telemetry specialist at Fort Sanders Regional since January 2018, but she was an EMT earlier in her career. We asked Connie a few questions about her roles at FSR and as an EMT:

Where are you from?

Morristown

How long have you worked at Fort Sanders Regional?

Since January 2018 – two years and almost five months

Tell us a little bit about your job at Fort Sanders Regional.

In the telemetry room, we watch all of the heart monitors across the hospital to keep an eye on the patient’s levels at all times. We become experts at our jobs because we really focus on this one aspect of the patient’s care. We notice the little changes and can help alert medical personnel more quickly to potential issues.

Why did you decide to become an EMT?

I’ve always loved helping people, and I’ve always had that kind of spirit. I thought the job was thrilling, especially when I got to drive the ambulance at 90+ miles per hour, but it wasn’t always positive. There were many difficult things that we saw and dealt with. Overall though, the good outweighed the bad.

Why did you decided to transition from EMS to your current role?

I was getting older, and my family needed me more. I needed something that would allow me to take care of my grandparents, and now my mom, as they got older. I also didn’t want to leave the medical field, and I love working in the cardiac unit, so this was a great fit for me.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I don’t have free time usually, but I love to go to the beach and lay out in the sun. My mom and I also like to spend time in her backyard because Panther Creek State Park is behind her house, and we get to watch all the animals. My favorite thing to do, though, is spend time with God in my prayer closet.

What is your favorite food?

Anything and everything. I’m a meat and potatoes and salad person, but I also love donuts and cupcakes.

What is your favorite TV show?

I like anything that I can watch without getting too invested. Some of the ones I watch sometimes are about swamp people or hunting for gold.