‘I took a leap of faith’: North Bay paramedic reflects on vital job during recognition week
For 21 years, advanced care paramedic Maxine Samson has called the back of an ambulance her office.
Career paramedic Maxine Samson from North Bay, Ont., shares her story with CTV News. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Coming out of school right away, Samson started as a student paramedic before suiting up full-time with the District of Nipissing in 2003.
“You've got adrenaline pumping every time,” she said.
“I had no family or friends that were in the medical field. I took a leap of faith.”
Samson told CTV News that the job can be tough, grueling and traumatic – having to be the first on scene when lives hang in the balance but it is something she would not change for the world.
The career paramedic said what keeps her grounded is meeting with cardiac arrest survivors whom she helped save.
“We're able to get to the scene in a quick amount of time and deliver those initial shocks in CPR sequences and get a pulse back and meet those people years later and their sense of thankfulness,” said Samson.
“Those moments are the ones that tend to let me reflect on over my time as a paramedic.”
When not rushing to a 911 call, Samson is often going from school to school talking to students about the job and the role paramedics play in the healthcare system.
“We’re a role model to a lot of individuals out there, especially young children, when they’re trying to think about what their profession is going to be when they grow up,” she said.
Advanced care paramedics do more than just administer some more life-saving cardiac drugs they participate in a community's healthcare system. A paramedic going through medications in an ambulance is pictured. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
When Samson first started, the Nipisisng’s paramedic services only had one skill set – primary care. She was a part of the launch of advanced care paramedicine in the district.
“We're able to administer some more life-saving cardiac drugs,” said Samson.
“We are able to use advanced airways to help people breathe a little bit better.”
District of Nipissing Paramedic Services Chief Stephen Kirk talks with CTV News Northern Ontario about paramedicine on May 22, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
District of Nipissing Paramedic Services Chief Stephen Kirk said he has nothing but praise for Samson, who was promoted to superintendent two years ago.
“She's part of our future for the organization,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing her continue progression through the service.”
In 2023, Nipissing paramedics answered nearly 18,500 emergency calls.
May 19-25, Ontario is marking Paramedic Services Week. This year’s theme is “Help Us, Help You." The recognition week not only honours the individuals who provide this vital service but gives the public a chance to better understand the broader role EMS plays in the healthcare system.
In 2014, the district launched the community paramedic program which brings healthcare into the homes of residents. This is to help them avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Last year, nearly 2,300 community paramedicine visits were conducted.
“A lot of it's centered around certain demographics,” said Kirk.
“Our elderly population starting to bridge into homelessness, addictions and mental health supports.”
Provincial statistics show the launch of community paramedicine programs results in a reduction hospital emergency room visits and admissions as well as a significant decrease in 911 calls.
“I know that I'm the first person that somebody sees in their worst moments of their lives,” Samson said.
“I take a lot of pride and compassion when I knock on their door and let them know that help is there.”
The most important aspect of the evolving paramedic field, Samson said, is knowing she and her colleagues will always be on call ready to be there in times of need.
“I do take a sense of pride knowing that I will be the professional that gets them to definitive care,” she said.
Maxine Samson packs up equipment in the back of a District of Nipissing ambulance after talking with CTV News Northern Ontario on May 22, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.