Wednesday's Woman: Monica Newman

Midwesterner Monica Newman never thought she would become a Southerner. But  the 47-year-old has done that and more over the years, and said she couldn’t imagine it any other way.

Newman manages both the International Association of Flight Paramedics, which has more than 1,300 members, and the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification. The entities are based in Snellville.

Originally from Michigan, Newman had 15 years’ experience in the association management field under her belt when she came to the IAFP in 2005.

Before then, Newman -- who moved to Georgia after her husband, a software developer, was transferred -- said she was enjoying Southern hospitality and taking care of her two children when she got a call from an associate who asked if she would be interested in the IAFP.
 
“I’d never managed a complete organization like this, but I figured, I’ve done it all before, why not?” said Newman, who had previously worked in various roles for the American Hardware Manufacturers Association in Illinois.

Newman said she is inspired by the people who “put themselves in harm’s way to help people in need. They think they’ve got the best job in the world. They love what they do. Just to see that and their motivation and their drive to become better, and to be part of that, is rewarding.”

The industry has emerged from some trying and tragic times, when a high number of air medical helicopter crashes occurred.

“In 2008 is when most of them took place,” Newman said. She couldn't recall the exact number of accidents, but by June 2008, at least nine crashes had occurred since the start of that year, according to news reports.

“One is too many," Newman said.

Although none happened in Georgia, the tragedies reverberated throughout the industry. “It affects us all because the air medical community is very small. When there’s a crash we all feel it, “ Newman said. “When things like that happen, people pull together.”

Several studies have been done to find out the cause of the accidents, and new safety standards have been implemented, Newman said.  But though much was reported about the air crashes, Newman said it’s important to realize that not it’s just EMS workers in helicopters who face danger.

“What people don’t realize and don’t hear about it is, the ground ambulance accidents that happen every single day," she said.

The Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification recently has come out with a ground certification exam which has “really opened up the flood gates for our membership in that more ground critical care paramedics are becoming members of our organization,” Newman said.

Most of the IAFP’s members are from Texas and Arizona; there are about 15 members in Georgia. Large membership states such as Texas are bigger state have more flight programs, Newman explained.

One of the most gratifying aspects of her work with the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification is seeing people reach their goals.

“These people work extremely hard to get at the level they need to be for these certifications,” Newman said. “When they get it, they are on top of the world.”