Rowan College Science Students To Share Coronavirus Stories

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — For the second time since the outbreak of new coronavirus, students at Rowan College at Burlington County will discuss their experiences fighting the pandemic on the front lines.

Paramedic Science students Sarah Schoen and Jeremy Algarin will share their experiences and their passions within this field during the college’s next Facebook Live Town Hall at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the college announced Friday morning. Viewers can submit questions throughout the livestream and at rcbc.edu/coronavirus.

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Schoen, of Edgewater Park, began the college’s Paramedic Science program in January. However, she had previously been involved in emergency management as a firefighter in Ocean County and now works full-time as an EMT in Middlesex County. Her interest in becoming a paramedic stemmed from a personal incident 14 years ago, during which her father suffered a massive heart attack, according to the college.

“If it wasn’t for the team that transported my father, he wouldn’t have made it to the hospital,” Schoen said. “From that point forward, I wanted to be more hands-on and learn more, do more.”

So much has changed because of the pandemic, she said.

“We’re limited with what we can do in the field because of the droplet precautions,” Schoen said. “The calls coming in have changed. And, a lot of the time, it feels like on top of being a provider, you’re also now a therapist, as you’re trying to be empathetic and reason with your patients.”

Algarin expressed similar sentiments. He’s always dreamed of becoming an emergency paramedic and began the EMT route in 2012. The following year, he became a firefighter. Now, his passion is more aligned with EMS, and he serves as a full-time EMT for Inspira Health in Millville. He enrolled in the college’s program in 2018.

“It’s been a long and very rewarding road. I hope to someday become an educator and help others progress in their careers,” Algarin said.

Algarin said that eventually, he would like to join a police tactical unit and become an emergency physician. He expressed concerns regarding exposure and the volume of calls coming in related to coronavirus.

“It’s scary to be in this field right now. My truck runs about 14 calls per night, seven or eight of which are coronavirus patients. We always run the risk of becoming infected with the virus. In fact, we spend a lot more time cleaning now,” Algarin said.

Despite the chaos of the last few months, neither one has wavered in their commitment to the field.

In March, Rowan College at Burlington County nursing students Nicole Pacitti and David Paul shared their experiences on the front lines during one of the college’s Facebook Live Town Halls. In the most recent session, essential workers Charvas Singleton and John Conte discussed their experiences.

The college launched the series to help the public learn more about the virus. Other sessions explored the impact of coronavirus on mental health; provided insight into the pandemic from Dr. Helene Paxton, who teaches Microbiology, and Anatomy and Physiology at the college; helped students learn how to stay connected despite Gov. Phil Murphy's stay-at-home order; explored the arts while quarantined; discussed getting food during the coronavirus quarantine; and gave a student and a professor the chance to discuss making face masks.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know