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09/06/2010: "New SJI Paramedic"

Tom Ardavany has joined the SJIEMS (San Juan Island Emerngency Services) as the new PRN (Practicing Registered Nurse) paramedic. Tom has a rich and distinguished career as a trauma and flight nurse and paramedic, having worked in the Emergency Departments of Group Health Hospital, and Harborview Mecical Center, as well as a Flight Nurse for Aierlift Northwest.

Tom has a degree in Public and Community Health from the University of Washington and an Associate Degree from Seattle Central Community College, and his past experience includes a contract UNHCR, Medical Relief worker
Hurricane Mitch, Honduras, and with UNHCR, Medical Relief worker, Kosovo Conflict
Refugee Coordinator for Health Care in Skodra, Albania.

In addition to his academic degrees, he also holds certifications as a National Registered Paramedic; Washington State Paramedic; Washington State, R.N.; and a Certified Emergency Nurse, BCEN ACLS, PALS, NRP

As for a personal interest, Tom likes "Free Diving" (breath hold diving).

San Juan Island EMS is the county tax supported Emergency Medical Service providing emergency 9-1-1 advanced life support rescue and transport to the residents and visitors of San Juan Island, the Town of Friday Harbor, and the outer islands of Brown, Henry, Pearl, Speiden, Johns, and Stuart. Through mutual aid contract with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office they also respond to calls on the waterways and other non-ferry served islands of the county.

The department operates 3 Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU’s), and 4 paramedic first-responder vehicles. Two of their MICUs are housed at 540 Spring Street in the Town of Friday Harbor and one is located at Roche Harbor on the north end of the island.

Their paramedic responders and over 30 volunteer EMTs are located throughout the San Juan Island.