I am a #BuiltToServe Disaster Responder and EMS professional who recently transitioned from a career in Information Technology to one dedicated to serving my community. To this end I am currently enrolled in an MSN/RN nursing program. It has been a long and circuitous route to this point in my education. I was a Navy Hospital corpsman from 1988-1992 when I first got involved in emergency medicine. Upon discharge I chose a different career path and have been a successful software engineer for 30 years. I continued a life of military and healthcare service as I worked in technology. I co-founded a software company dedicated to helping individuals with Autism. ABPathfinder provided point-of-care data collection software for ABA therapy and education planning tools for special-ed classrooms. In 2020, while serving as a volunteer firefighter, I found another exciting and rewarding way to serve. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response organization helping people on their worst days recover from natural and man-made disasters. I became trained as a chainsaw strike team leader, safety officer, and volunteer leader. I have deployed to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfire mitigation operations as a general responder, sawyer, and safety officer. After my first deployment to the aftermath of a hurricane, I reflected on my career, my legacy, and the impact I could achieve. It was my third deployment that changed the course of my life. In March of 2021, I deployed to Gallup, New Mexico, to assist in a COVID-19 support operation to provide vaccinations to members of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo community had been devastated by COVID-19. Our team of veterans and service-focused medical volunteers deployed to vaccinate 3000 people in the course of 1 week. The community I felt with my fellow volunteers, observations of tribal customs, and discussions with Navajo elders reinforced my new perspective. I vowed then that I would change my job by the end of the year, and I did exactly that. I was searching for work with more purpose. I found this in military service, Team Rubicon and the fire service. I wanted that same feeling in my daily life. I took a couple more IT roles in companies that I thought would have a positive social impact but ultimately found myself on the wrong end of layoffs from a startup venture. I leaned into my EMS training and secured work for a county-based ambulance service and at a Kansas City area hospital as an Emergency Department technician. As you can imagine, salaries are very different for a 2-year experience ED technician vs a 30-year technology director. As I embrace EMS education to advance my career, financial support is very important to my continued success. For this reason, my family and I are especially grateful for your consideration of this award. While working in the Emergency Department, I have become interested in nursing. Because of my prior education, I have an opportunity to move directly into an MSN program as my first step toward an RN certification. I plan to continue directly into a Nurse Practitioner program. My goal is to be a Paramedic/RN NP and advance through the ranks both in pre-hospital and hospital care. I’d like to become a BN Chief in an EMS Service and do Critical Care Nursing in the ED while finishing my NP, eventually going into leadership. I love ICS and would like to be on the hospital Incident Command team. I am laying a foundation to eventually start and run a hospital-based EMS service. Eventually, I’d like to settle into EMS and Nursing Education and teach well into retirement.

I am a #BuiltToServe Disaster Responder and EMS professional who recently transitioned from a career in Information Technology to one dedicated to serving my community. I started my journey in the military serving as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy. Upon separation from the military, I pursued a career in information technology but remained committed to healthcare and helping improve the lives of others. While completing my degree and for the following decade, I helped mentor and educate the next generation of software engineers as an adjunct instructor at a local university. Also, while finishing my computer science education, I joined ROTC and was commissioned into the Army National Guard as a Medical Service Corps Officer. I continued a life of military and healthcare service as I worked in technology. I co-founded a software company dedicated to helping individuals with Autism. ABPathfinder provided point-of-care data collection software for ABA therapy and education planning tools for special-ed classrooms. In 2017, my son, who volunteered at a local fire department, participated in the 911 stair climb. Inspired by the emotion of the day, I soon became a volunteer firefighter. I participated alongside my son in the stair climb the very next year. Through the fire service, I rediscovered my roots in EMS and recertified as an EMT. I ultimately found Team Rubicon through this connection. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response organization helping people on their worst days recover from natural and man-made disasters. I became trained as a chainsaw strike team leader, safety officer, and volunteer leader. I have deployed to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfire mitigation operations as a general responder, sawyer, and safety officer. After my first deployment to the aftermath of a hurricane, I reflected on my career, my legacy, and the impact I could achieve. It was my third deployment that changed the course of my life. In March of 2021, I deployed to Gallup, New Mexico, to assist in a COVID-19 support operation to provide vaccinations to members of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo community had been devastated by COVID-19. Our team of veterans and service-focused medical volunteers deployed together to vaccinate 3000 people in the course of 1 week. The community I felt with my fellow volunteers, observations of tribal customs, and discussions with Navajo elders reinforced my new perspective. I vowed then that I would change my job by the end of the year, and I did exactly that. I was searching for work with more purpose. I found this in military service and through my volunteer activities with Team Rubicon and the fire service. I wanted that same feeling in my daily life. I took a couple more IT roles in companies that I thought would have a positive social impact, but ultimately found myself on the wrong end of layoffs from a startup venture. This was my opportunity to commit to a permanent change. I leaned into my EMT role and worked both on an ambulance and in a hospital emergency room. I enrolled in a paramedic program and am now at the completion point of this milestone. As I was considering the next steps, I reflected on my time in the emergency department and decided I was going to commit to becoming an RN. I am currently enrolled in an MSN/RN program and hope, upon completion, to move into EMS management, hospital leadership, and teaching.

In the United States, nearly 100,000 people die each year as a result of an overdose. EMS and law enforcement personnel see firsthand the destruction caused by substance abuse, but these same responders can themselves become victims. Over 1/3 of all first responders and EMS personnel suffer from depression or PTSD. The high stress of emergencies and other risk factors, such as inadequate or broken sleep, the physical demands of the job, and chronic pain and fatigue, put these individuals at high risk for addiction. As a first responder myself, I am surrounded by people who balance sleep deprivation with ADHD and pride with mental trauma. Alcoholism, drug abuse, sleep and eating disorders, caffeine and nicotine addictions are the silent co-pilots in the lives of many of my close friends. While most don’t cross the line, one bad call can tip the scale of reason and lead one to engage with more serious drugs like opioids, amphetamines, or benzodiazepines. The legalization of recreational marijuana in many states offers another unhealthy avenue for many responders to cope with their stress. Addiction does not discriminate. While several risk factors may lead to drug use, dependence, and addiction, any person can fall victim. I am currently working as a paramedic and a disaster responder. I am often around people who experience some of the highest risk factors. I know that a strong social support group is sometimes the only thing helping these people stay on the right side of healthy. As a graduate nursing student, working in an emergency department, I see many other people in need of help. I see overdoses, suicide attempts, and people requiring mental health screening, counseling, or protection from an abuser. I started my service career as a Navy Hospital Corpsman and later served in the Army National Guard as a Medical Service Corps Officer. My military service was rewarding; however, I took a different path professionally. I have been a Software Engineer for 30 years but was drawn back to EMS after deploying on a Team Rubicon Covid Vaccination operation to protect members of the Navajo Nation. I am passionate about staying in a role where I can serve people. That means helping with whatever problems they have. I have recently completed paramedic school and am working for an ambulance service as well as for a hospital emergency department while pursuing my nursing education. I hope to continue service in both pre-hospital and hospital environments upon graduating. I am compelled to stay in emergency medicine, where I will see all types of emergencies. Unfortunately, addiction and overdoses will be a big part of those cases. Currently, I’m not planning on practicing mental health nursing directly; however, as noted above, the devastating effects of addiction are always present.

Nearly 1500 First Responders since 2018 are no longer providing their lifesaving selfless service because they have died by their own hand. Combat veterans who have served their country and survived in the most hostile environments, often come home to succumb to suicide. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a killer of heroes. When I joined Team Rubicon, a veteran led disaster response organization, in 2020, the world was in the grips of the Covid-19 pandemic. Loneliness, isolation, fear, and fatigue were exerting their oppressive forces upon the mental health of people around the world. As I deployed to the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, tornados, and a Covid vaccination support mission, I found myself in the midst of special people who find joy in service. I was surprised by the number of peers who suffered daily in the shadow of PTSD. For these individuals, service gave them purpose but when they went home, they suffered from "post-deployment blues." The very thing that gave them relief exacerbated their condition when they demobilized from the operation. As a first responder myself, I am surrounded by people who balance sleep deprivation with ADHD and pride with mental trauma. Alcoholism, drug abuse, sleep and eating disorders, caffeine and nicotine addictions are the silent co-pilots in the lives of many of my close friends. I started my professional career as a Navy Hospital Corpsman and later served in the Army National Guard as a Medical Service Corps Officer. My military service was rewarding, and I suffered no negative outcomes. I can however relate to Jake Wood, the founder of Team Rubicon, when he describes that loss of pride, and desire to reengage in service that he felt upon separation from the Marine Corps. I have been a Software Engineer for 30 years but was drawn back to EMS after deploying on a Team Rubicon Covid Vaccination operation to protect members of the Navajo Nation. I built deep relationships with my cohort of veteran responders. I saw how a small team of empathic service-minded individuals could have an impact on a whole community. I was surprised to learn the degree to which PTSD affected many of them on a daily basis. Many of these responders leaned into service as a distraction from their demons. Some of them were combat veterans with permanent physical scars in addition to their invisible wounds. Some suffered sexual harassment and permissive and dismissive leaders who undermined their self-respect. Others struggled with survivors’ guilt or the darkness of loss. None of the were “weak” or “crazy” or “attention seeking.” They were all selfless, empathetic, caring heroes focusing on service as an honorable and purposeful distraction. I have recently completed paramedic school and am working both for an ambulance service and in a hospital emergency department. This experience has drawn me to nursing and I hope to continue service in both pre-hospital and hospital environments upon graduation. Currently, I’m not planning on practicing mental health nursing directly. I do, however, hope to use my extensive experience in software engineering and my compassion for good friends who suffer from PTSD to develop tools to help address this important issue.

I am a seasoned professional who is deliberately making a choice to move from a lucrative career in software engineering after 30 years to a new career focused on service and caring. I faced my crossroads about 5 years ago during the Covid pandemic. I had been serving as a volunteer firefighter for a couple of years in an effort to find something meaningful where I could fulfil my desire to serve. I served both in the Navy as a Hospital Corpman in the late 80s, early 90s and as a Medical Service Corps officer in the Army during the Global War on Terror but had focused on Information Technology to pay the bills. I had been seeking a chance to get back to that sense of service. I found a veteran led disaster response organization called Team Rubicon. I served on several hurricane, tornado, flood, and wildfire responses, but serving on a Covid vaccination operation to Navajo nation changed my perspective permanently. If was after this deployment I decided to leave technology and focus on a career in service. I obtained my EMT license in 2022 and went to Paramedic school in 2024. I am in the last month of clinical rotation for medic currently and expect to be certified in August. I am concurrently finishing up my last pre-requisites for nursing school which I start this fall. I am currently working both on an Ambulance and in a hospital ED. I think there is incredible opportunity to bridge these two worlds that are so close but can be worlds apart. I have so much respect for all the nurses that I work with in the ED and this is what inspired me to pursue a nursing degree. The male nurses that I work with are fantastic role models of empathetic masculinity. Empathy is something that I feel is becoming rare in our politically charged society. I want to bring my maturity, my experience, my compassion and empathy and my desire to serve to the sunset years of my career. As an adult learner and military veteran, I have the commitment and discipline to succeed in this transition. I hope that I can be an example to a new generation of built to serve individuals.

I am a #BuiltToServe Disaster Responder and EMS professional who recently transitioned from a career in Information Technology to one dedicated to serving my community. I started my journey in the military serving as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy. Upon separation from the military, I pursued a career in information technology but remained committed to healthcare and helping improve the lives of others. While completing my degree and for the following decade, I helped mentor and educate the next generation of software engineers as an adjunct instructor at a local university. Also, while finishing my computer science education, I joined ROTC and was commissioned into the Army National Guard as a Medical Service Corps Officer. I continued a life of military and healthcare service as I worked in technology. I co-founded a software company dedicated to helping individuals with Autism. ABPathfinder provided point-of-care data collection software for ABA therapy and education planning tools for special-ed classrooms. In 2017, my son, who volunteered at a local fire department, participated in the 911 stair climb. Inspired by the emotion of the day, I soon became a volunteer firefighter. I participated alongside my son in the stair climb the very next year. Through the fire service, I rediscovered my roots in EMS and recertified as an EMT. I ultimately found Team Rubicon through this connection. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response organization helping people on their worst days recover from natural and man-made disasters. I became trained as a chainsaw strike team leader, safety officer, and volunteer leader. I have deployed to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfire mitigation operations as a general responder, sawyer, and safety officer. After my first deployment to the aftermath of a hurricane, I reflected on my career, my legacy, and the impact I could achieve. It was my third deployment that changed the course of my life. In March of 2021, I deployed to Gallup, New Mexico, to assist in a COVID-19 support operation to provide vaccinations to members of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo community had been devastated by COVID-19. Our team of veterans and service-focused medical volunteers deployed together to vaccinate 3000 people in the course of 1 week. The community I felt with my fellow volunteers, observations of tribal customs, and discussions with Navajo elders reinforced my new perspective. I vowed then that I would change my job by the end of the year, and I did exactly that. I was searching for work with more purpose. I found this in military service and through my volunteer activities with Team Rubicon and the fire service. I wanted that same feeling in my daily life. I took a couple more IT roles in companies that I thought would have a positive social impact, but ultimately found myself on the wrong end of layoffs from a startup venture. This was my opportunity to commit to a permanent change. I leaned into my EMT role and worked both on an ambulance and in a hospital emergency room. I enrolled in a paramedic program and am now at the completion point of this milestone. As I was considering the next steps, I reflected on my time in the emergency department and decided I was going to commit to becoming an RN. I am currently enrolled in an MSN/RN program and hope, upon completion, to move into EMS management, hospital leadership, and teaching. This scholarship will allow me to continue to support my family as I pursue education to make this career pivot.

I am a #BuiltToServe Disaster Responder and EMS professional who recently transitioned from a career in Information Technology to one dedicated to serving my community. I started my journey in the military serving as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy. Upon separation from the military, I pursued a career in information technology but remained committed to healthcare and helping improve the lives of others. While completing my degree and for the following decade, I helped mentor and educate the next generation of software engineers as an adjunct instructor at a local university. Also, while finishing my computer science education, I joined ROTC and was commissioned into the Army National Guard as a Medical Service Corps Officer. I continued a life of military and healthcare service as I worked in technology. I co-founded a software company dedicated to helping individuals with Autism. ABPathfinder provided point-of-care data collection software for ABA therapy and education planning tools for special-ed classrooms. In 2017, my son, who volunteered at a local fire department, participated in the 911 stair climb. Inspired by the emotion of the day, I soon became a volunteer firefighter. I participated alongside my son in the stair climb the very next year. Through the fire service, I rediscovered my roots in EMS and recertified as an EMT. I ultimately found Team Rubicon through this connection. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response organization helping people on their worst days recover from natural and man-made disasters. I became trained as a chainsaw strike team leader, safety officer, and volunteer leader. I have deployed to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfire mitigation operations as a general responder, sawyer, and safety officer. After my first deployment to the aftermath of a hurricane, I reflected on my career, my legacy, and the impact I could achieve. It was my third deployment that changed the course of my life. In March of 2021, I deployed to Gallup, New Mexico, to assist in a COVID-19 support operation to provide vaccinations to members of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo community had been devastated by COVID-19. Our team of veterans and service-focused medical volunteers deployed together to vaccinate 3000 people in the course of 1 week. The community I felt with my fellow volunteers, observations of tribal customs, and discussions with Navajo elders reinforced my new perspective. I vowed then that I would change my job by the end of the year, and I did exactly that. I was searching for work with more purpose. I found this in military service and through my volunteer activities with Team Rubicon and the fire service. I wanted that same feeling in my daily life. I took a couple more IT roles in companies that I thought would have a positive social impact, but ultimately found myself on the wrong end of layoffs from a startup venture. This was my opportunity to commit to a permanent change. I leaned into my EMT role and worked both on an ambulance and in a hospital emergency room. I enrolled in a paramedic program and am now at the completion point of this milestone. As I was considering the next steps, I reflected on my time in the emergency department and decided I was going to commit to becoming an RN. I am currently enrolled in an MSN/RN program and hope, upon completion, to move into EMS management, hospital leadership, and teaching.

27-April-2025 Scholarship Committee: I am a nursing student pursuing an MSN/RN in Nursing Leadership and hope to become a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner in an Emergency Department. I want to start by thanking you very much for considering this application. It has been a long and circuitous route to this point in my education. I was a Navy Hospital corpsman from 1988-1992 when I first got involved in emergency medicine. Upon discharge I chose a different career path and have been a successful software engineer for 30 years. During this time, I have stayed close to medical operations and even served as an Army Medical Service Corps officer in the National Guard while continuing a career in technology. In 2018 I joined my local volunteer fire district and got re-energized in emergency medical systems. I joined Team Rubicon, a veteran led disaster response organization, in 2020 and have served various communities around the country in response to hurricanes, tornados, floods and Covid-19. I got my EMT license in 2022 to support my continued growth in this area of passion and will complete my Paramedic certification in July of this year. In 2023, while working for a startup company I faced a layoff in a tough technical market when the company failed. While continuing to look for IT opportunities, I leaned into my EMS training and have worked for an ambulance district and am now working at a Kansas City area hospital as an Emergency Department technician. As you can imagine, salaries are very different for a 2-year experience ED technician vs a 30-year technology director. As I embrace EMS education to advance my career, financial support is very important to my continued success. For this reason, my family and I are especially grateful for your consideration of this award. While working in the Emergency Department I have become interested in nursing. My "aha" moment came while talking to my wife about my day in the ED and us both realizing that I was energized and excited about the work I was doing. I am happier now than I have been for many years in technology. I am looking forward to pivoting and embracing a new career instead of finishing one up. Because of my prior education, I have an opportunity to move directly into an MSN program as my first step toward RN. I plan to continue directly into a Nurse Practitioner program. My goal is to be a Paramedic/RN NP and advance through the ranks both in pre-hospital and hospital care. I’d like to become a BN Chief in an EMS Service and do Critical Care Nursing in the ED while finishing my NP, eventually going into leadership. I love ICS and would like to be on the hospital Incident Command team. I am laying a foundation to eventually start and run a hospital-based EMS service. Eventually, I’d like to settle into EMS and Nursing Education and teach well into retirement. Again, I wish to genuinely thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Kelly M. Kerns

27-April-2025 Scholarship Committee: I am a nursing student pursuing an MSN/RN in Nursing Leadership and hope to become a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner in an Emergency Department. I want to start by thanking you very much for considering this application. I have had a very long and distinguished career as a software engineer. I obtained an MS in computer science in the early 2000s. I have been an Enterprise Architect, CTO, Founder of a Software Company and COO. In many ways I am now returning to my roots. I joined the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in 1988 when I needed a way to finance my education which was then in biochemistry. Over the course of my enlistment, I found that I enjoyed the military and emergency medicine, but when I separated from service, I went down the IT path. While IT has provided a steady income, there was always a piece of me that wanted to return to service. I joined the MO Army National Guard as a Medical Service Corp Officer and served for several years in that capacity managing medical operations and logistics, serving as a Platoon Leader of an Ambulance Platoon, Treatment Platoon, and then as a Company Executive Officer. I joined the volunteer fire department in 2018 and Team Rubicon, a veteran led disaster response organization in 2020. This led me to reengage in EMS and get my EMT license. I got my EMT license in 2022 to support my continued growth in this area of passion and will complete my Paramedic certification in July of this year. The paramedic certification has been a goal since I joined Team Rubicon, and I hope to expand my impact within that organization serving on the international medical response team. While working in the Emergency Department I have become interested in nursing. Because of my prior education, I have an opportunity to move directly into an MSN program as my first step toward RN. I plan to continue directly into a Nurse Practitioner program. This will continue to increase my scope of practice and the impact I can bring to my volunteer activity. I will contribute to my community both as a Medic on an ambulance or flight crew, and an NP in an emergency department. Beyond career impact, I will continue to contribute as a Team Rubicon volunteer and eventually, I’d like to settle into EMS and Nursing Education and teach well into retirement. Again, I wish to genuinely thank you for your support. Respectfully, Kelly M. Kerns

27-April-2025 Scholarship Committee: I am Kelly Kerns; a nursing student pursuing an MSN/RN in Nursing Leadership and hope to become a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner in an Emergency Department. I want to start by thanking you very much for considering this application It has been a long and circuitous route to this point in my education. I was a Navy Hospital corpsman from 1988-1992 when I first got involved in emergency medicine. Upon discharge I chose a different career path and have been a successful software engineer for 30 years. During this time, I have stayed close to medical operations and even served as an Army Medical Service Corps officer in the National Guard while continuing a career in technology. In 2018 I joined my local volunteer fire district and got re-energized in emergency medical systems. I joined Team Rubicon, a veteran led disaster response organization, in 2020 and have served various communities around the country in response to hurricanes, tornados, floods and Covid-19. I got my EMT license in 2022 to support my continued growth in this area of passion and will complete my Paramedic certification in July of this year. In 2023, while working for a startup company I faced a layoff in a tough technical market when the company failed. While continuing to look for IT opportunities, I leaned into my EMS training and have worked for an ambulance district and am now working at a Kansas City area hospital as an Emergency Department technician. As you can imagine, salaries are very different for a 2-year experience ED technician vs a 30-year technology director. As I embrace EMS education to advance my career, financial support is very important to my continued success. For this reason, my family and I are especially grateful for your consideration of this award. While working in the Emergency Department I have become interested in nursing. Because of my prior education, I have an opportunity to move directly into an MSN program as my first step toward RN. I plan to continue directly into a Nurse Practitioner program. My goal is to be a Paramedic/RN NP and advance through the ranks both in pre-hospital and hospital care. I’d like to become a BN Chief in an EMS Service and do Critical Care Nursing in the ED while finishing my NP, eventually going into leadership. I love ICS and would like to be on the hospital Incident Command team. I am laying a foundation to eventually start and run a hospital-based EMS service. Eventually, I’d like to settle into EMS and Nursing Education and teach well into retirement. Again, I wish to genuinely thank you for your support. Respectfully, Kelly M. Kerns