Putting others’ lives ahead of his own personal safety is Joey Thompson’s life calling.  However, at the Southwest Georgia Region 8 Awards Banquet, Thompson was named the 2016 EMS Instructor of the Year, putting him in the limelight for the moment.  Joey is employed at Wiregrass Technical College as the EMS/Paramedic Program Coordinator.
 
Joey Thompson was surprised to learn he was being recognized from the Region.  He shared, “Being nominated for and awarded the Region 8 EMS Instructor of the Year is one of the most humbling compliments that I have ever received. It’s a recognition that is bestowed on someone by their fellow peers, and to receive it in the presence of my wife, coworkers, faculty, and students was a tremendous honor. I was speechless”.   Region 8 covers 27 counties in South Georgia.
 
Joey has been the program coordinator for Wiregrass since 2014.  Desiring to be able to provide the highest quality education to his EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic students, he began work on seeking program accreditation.  He knew with this accreditation he could produce higher quality students.  In January 2015, the Paramedic Program at Wiregrass began paperwork to make this a reality.  A process that should have taken approximately 18-months to complete had taken just four. A site visit was scheduled for November 2015. The program at WGTC received a glowing report with only one recommendation. The program is on the docket for a May 2016 vote for accreditation approval.  During his 3-year tenure at Wiregrass Tech, Joey has taught over 100 registered students.  Of those, 56 have received EMT Technical Certificates; 26 have received Advanced EMT diplomas; 11 have received Paramedic diplomas; and six have received Paramedic degrees.  Over his years teaching, he has taught a number of students at the former Southwest Georgia Technical College, South Georgia Medical Center, Thomas County Emergency Medical Service, and community service training.  
 
Over his career, Joey has worked as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, Field Training Officer, and Paramedic for various agencies in South Georgia.  He has taught at Southwest Georgia Technical College and now Wiregrass.  He attended Southwest Georgia Technical College where he earned his diploma in Paramedic Technology.  He received his Masters of Education degree from the University of Georgia.  He joined the Wiregrass faculty in 2010.  Joey serves as a member of the Technical College System of Georgia Institutional Faculty Consortium Committee for Paramedicine and EMS and serves as a catalyst in the curriculum development process for Paramedicine within the Technical College System.