Katherine Koch, associate professor of educational studies, was recently recognized by the Christopher Reeve Foundation for publishing “EMS Response to Patients with Special Needs: Assessment, Treatment, and Transport” (Fire Engineering). Koch was featured as the EMS Spotlight on the organization's website in December.
Koch published the textbook in 2021 after going through paramedic training and seeing very little on the subject. The textbook is the first comprehensive resource of its kind to address the emergency prehospital needs of people with disabilities. Koch provides descriptions of a specific disability or disabilities and how the characteristics are relevant to a prehospital setting and to the paramedics and emergency medical technicians who are treating the patients.
Her textbook is also referenced on the Resources for Healthcare Professionals section of the organization's website.
Koch said a senior writer for the Christopher Reeve Foundation reached out as she found the textbook while looking for resource material to include on the site. “I was surprised that she found it; it’s such a niche area,” Koch said about the book.
She said it feels good to know that the training material she realized was needed when she was going through paramedic training herself is being sought out by others. “It was out there and available and helpful,” she said.
In addition to her full-time role as an associate professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Koch also volunteers with St. Mary’s County Advanced Life Support and the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue squad.
