Paramedic Program

On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1995, the Windham Hospital Paramedic Program received its first call for a man down-not breathing. Two years earlier, community leaders and hospital personnel recognized the need for an advanced life support emergency medical service in the area, and with the assistance of Dr. David Cowger, and RN/Paramedic Diane Badstuebner, Windham Hospital established its Paramedic Program. From those humble roots, the Program has expanded and grown to become a role model and leader of emergency medical services in Connecticut.

Since its inception nearly 20 years ago, the Program has more than doubled in size. Eight full-time, and nine per diem paramedics are now on staff 24 hours a day, with day time coverage in the Town of Mansfield during historically busy periods, seven days a week. Four special paramedic vehicles, designed to intercept with ambulances on a variety of emergency scenes, may be run simultaneously if required, and the Program serves 17 area fire departments including UConn and the four Boroughs of Windham.

The Windham Hospital Paramedic Program is the only program in the state which requires all of its full-time employees to maintain a critical care level of certification, making the team the most highly qualified ground transport service in the state. The team operates on a more advanced level than most conventional commercial or fire-based paramedic services. These talented paramedics come to Windham Hospital with a wealth of experience, ensuring that any paramedic who walks through your front door is, in fact, the best of the best.