Get to Know – Kory Nichols, EMS System Coordinator

MACOMB, Ill. – When McDonough District Hospital filled its opening for an EMS System Coordinator, the organization welcomed back a familiar name.

Kory Nichols, EMT-P, LI worked nine years at MDH as a paramedic. He joined Lifeguard in a similar role, but recently accepted the role as the Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Coordinator.

He works with the 185 Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, and Emergency Medical Responder/First Responders throughout the MDH EMS system.

“After 23 years working on the ambulance and 12 years serving this amazing community the opportunity arose for the EMS Coordinator position,” said Nichols. “I couldn’t think of a better way to continue to serve this community and help develop our EMS system to be the best group possible and provide the highest level of care to our community.”

Already during his short tenure, Nichols has worked in concert with the EMS Medical Director on various projects, including:

• Updating transfer protocols with Lifeguard to allow wider capability with the transport of patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
• Received approval and is providing education for Basic Life Support (BLS) rescue squads to carry C-PAP for life threatening respiratory patients along with three additional medications.
• Serves as the lead instructor for an EMT Basic class in Bushnell with 11 students.
• Planning a Pre-Hospital RN (PHRN) class to begin in June.
• Working collaboratively with Western Illinois University EMS program to establish a paramedic program at WIU.
• Planning an event to recognize the area EMS staff during National EMS week (May 15-21).

“Kory is an exceptional paramedic and very well respected by his Lifeguard peers, area rescue squads and the MDH Emergency Services staff,” said MDH Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer Wanda Foster, RN, MSN, FACHE. “Kory has already made an immediate and positive impact for MDH.”

Nichols earned his EMT-B from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, and in 2001 received his paramedic credential from the University of Iowa.

In Nichols’ spare time, he enjoys working on cars (he also holds a license in auto body repair) and is an avid golfer.