Jenny Ladd is a walking example of a dark cloud’s silver lining. More than half a decade ago, she suffered a wrist injury that brought her career as a paramedic to an end. She could have easily viewed the incident as an insurmountable obstacle.
Ladd, however, is not one to let anything keep her down. She found a new purpose for her skill as a paramedic: serving Barton Community College students as an Emergency Medical Services and Paramedic program coordinator and instructor. She has filled the role for about five years and was recognized with the annual Kansas Emergency Medical Technician Association Instructor of the Year Award at a ceremony in March.
“I was pretty surprised,” she said of the announcement. “There are a lot of instructors deserving of that award. I’m very appreciative, but I was shocked by it.”
Director of EMS Education Karyl White is Ladd’s direct supervisor. She said she’s not surprised by Ladd’s achievement.
“She puts a lot of time and effort into helping students,” White said. “Jenny likes to do well. She’s meticulous and thorough, and loves to see her students succeed. She will work evenings and weekends just to meet her students’ needs.”
Ladd said she enjoys seeing her former students grown, married, gainfully employed and living their lives. “To me, that is the most rewarding part.”
Her next step is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in EMS education as she continues her career at Barton Community College.