News Archives: Luke Umble: Sharing Compassionate Care
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
NWP Chair of Department of Emergency Services Luke Umble
Luke Umble, Chair of the Emergency Services Department at Northwestern Polytechnic, is a passionate advocate for patient care and the professional development of paramedics. His journey into the field of emergency medical services (EMS) wasn’t a conventional one. Growing up, he had no inclination towards healthcare, though he did have a fondness for biology and a caring personality.
Post-high school, he had the opportunity to enter a pre-med program at the University of Montana but he decided against that route, feeling “overwhelmed by the idea of an additional 12 years of schooling”. Instead, he found himself gravitating towards the Emergency Medical Technician - Ambulance (EMT-A) program at what was then known as Alberta Vocational College. This decision marked the beginning of his career in EMS.
Luke’s experiences as a paramedic have been diverse and impactful, from serving two years in the Cayman Island Communities to managing air ambulance operations. He genuinely enjoys patient interaction and believes in empowering patients to take charge of their healthcare. He thrives in the high-pressure environment of EMS, using every opportunity to learn and improve from each call he responds to. “What I love about being a paramedic is being able to help individuals through what they perceive as their health crisis, whether it be mental health, heart, respiratory, and so on. I'm a big advocate for patients being in charge of their healthcare.”
His passion for patient care extends into his approach to teaching. Before working at NWP, Luke gained experience chairing similar programs and teaching EMS education for more than two decades.
“I enjoy seeing the students’ ‘aha’ moments, especially with new ones who are inquisitive and eager to learn,” said Luke. “It is rewarding to see them grow and develop into professionals. I teach them to be a professional in the field, to take pride in who they are, and to show empathy.”
He considers teaching to be a two-way street always open to learning from his students. His approach focuses on empowering students with impactful clinical and communication skills.
Luke is excited about the upcoming Primary Care Paramedic certificate program at Northwestern Polytechnic. “I see it as an opportunity for the Peace region, which will benefit significantly from this type of program,” said Luke.
Launching in Fall 2024, the PCP certificate will be the first EMS department offering through NWP’s School of Health. Luke hopes that the hands-on program, which will feature clinical and ambulance placements, will help to grow and retain local talent. He adds that he is honoured to be a part of it all and looking forward to adding even more in-demand programs in the future.
Luke’s vision for the future of the department is ambitious. He's already started preliminary work on securing an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program, and is in talks with local fire departments and the Catholic school division about potential for collaboration.
With his unwavering commitment to patient care and his dedication to teaching, Luke Umble is set to make a profound impact on the future of emergency services education in the region.
