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The Power of Networking: How One Conversation Sparked a First-of-Its-Kind EMS Degree in South Georgia

What began as a casual conversation among colleagues has evolved into a landmark achievement for emergency medical services education in Georgia. The creation of a new Emergency Services concentration at South Georgia State College (SGSC) stands as a testament to the power of networking, collaboration, and forward-thinking leadership.

In 2021, Jason Hurst joined 26 other professionals from across the state in the Georgia EMS Association Leadership Course. Spanning four weeks over the course of a year, the program highlighted EMS agencies statewide, showcasing innovative practices and organizational excellence. Yet amid these insights, one critical gap became clear. Georgia lacked a dedicated higher education pathway tailored specifically for EMS professionals. To participate in this course, Hurst had to have reference letters from both employers and supervisors at the time which included Shawn Tatham, the program Director for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Paramedic program, where Hurst was a lead instructor and Andy Smith, the EMS director of Coffee Regional Medical Center where Hurst is a Field Training Officer. Both agencies had to write a letter of support for Hurst to even be considered for the course. 

That realization stayed with Hurst. A few years later, while participating in the Coffee County Leadership Program through the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, he found himself at the state capitol with a unique opportunity to speak directly with University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue. Their discussion centered on declining enrollment within the state’s university system but quickly shifted to a pressing issue within the EMS community. Many professionals were forced to leave Georgia to pursue advanced degrees.

Recognizing the significance of this gap, Matt Seale, CEO of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority, helped connect Hurst with Dr. Greg Tanner, Interim President of SGSC. What followed was a series of strategic conversations that brought together a panel of subject matter experts from across Georgia. Their mission was clear and it was to demonstrate both the need and the feasibility of a higher education program designed specifically for EMS professionals.

While such initiatives typically take years to materialize, innovative thinking accelerated the process. Under the leadership of Dr. Joseph Holloway, SGSC’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Business and Professional Studies, the team opted to develop a concentration within an existing degree program rather than building an entirely new curriculum from scratch. This strategic decision streamlined approval and implementation.

Course content was carefully crafted by the expert panel, with Hurst playing a central role in writing curriculum frameworks over several months. Drawing on feedback from community leaders, educators, and EMS professionals statewide, the program was refined to meet both academic standards and real-world demands.

The result was the first Emergency Services concentration housed within the School of Business at South Georgia State College, an innovative approach that blends leadership, management, and EMS-specific training.

The impact of this effort has not gone unnoticed. In late March, Hurst and Dr. Tanner were honored with the Dr. Zeb L. Burrell MD Distinguished Service Award at the Georgia EMS Association’s annual awards banquet, held at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of EMS across the state.

This milestone underscores a broader lesson that meaningful change often begins with a single conversation. Through persistence, collaboration, and a shared vision, a group of dedicated professionals transformed an identified gap into a groundbreaking educational opportunity right in the heart of South Georgia.

As the program begins to shape the next generation of EMS leaders, it stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when networking meets purpose.

For more information on the program, visit www.sgsc.edu.

Jason Hurst and Dr. Greg Tanner accepted the Dr. Zeb L. Burrell MD Distinguished Service Award at the Georgia EMS Association’s annual awards banquet.