Regional West’s Community Paramedic Program Celebrates First Anniversary

In 2025, Regional West’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team launched the community paramedic program to help bridge the gaps in rural healthcare. A year later, the program continues to serve our patients throughout the panhandle by helping them stay healthier at home.

Community paramedic Robby Rhembrandt, NRP, CP-C, meets with patients and their families post-hospital discharge to help patients understand their care information and more fully recover at home. The referral-based program does not duplicate existing services in the community, but connects patients to them, helping to reduce the risk of unnecessary Emergency Department visits and hospital readmissions.

Since last March, the program has served patients with illnesses such as congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. Rhembrandt met with patients over the course of six weeks through both in-person and phone visits to monitor their conditions, answer questions, and provide support. Out of the group, only one required readmission in the 30 days post discharge.

“Launching the Community Paramedic Program was one of the EMS team’s earliest initiatives, and it’s been inspiring to watch their vision come to life. I am incredibly proud of the Regional West EMS leadership team for their dedication and commitment to making this program a success,” said Marisa Nicol, RN, executive director of Emergency Medical Services. “Our patients represent some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and I am confident they are in exceptional hands with Robby and our entire care team. We’ve had an overwhelmingly successful first year, and I’m excited to see how the program continues to grow and make a meaningful impact in the years ahead.”

“Robby has truly embodied the Regional West mission by doing what is best for our patients and putting that commitment into action,” added Shawn Baumgartner, director of Regional West’s EMS team. “Beyond the positive statistics, Robby has made this program about the patients we have the honor and privilege to serve.”

Rhembrandt remarked that the program showcases the EMS team’s commitment to patients, both in and out of the ambulance.

“Over the last year, our success proves that Regional West paramedics do more than respond to crises – they build healthier communities, showing that expert medical care belongs in the home just as much as in the ambulance or hospital,” he said. “This initiative further solidifies our EMS team as a comprehensive, all-hazard response unit: regardless of environmental conditions or geographical challenges, our clinicians maintain 24/7 operational readiness to address the full spectrum of patient needs – from acute emergencies to proactive clinical consultations.”