Leading cellist becomes paramedic

Occasionally we forget the low pay and long hours involved in EMS and are reminded of the passion that brought us here.

Leading US cellist Nancy Donaruma, 59, followed this passion and is now a paramedic. Quoting an AP article:

After 31 years in the top-tier orchestra, playing with conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta and Lorin Maazel, the 59-year-old cellist will go from a hefty six-figure annual income to a "low five-figure" salary.

People of all ages and all backgrounds come to EMS for reasons ranging from interest in medicine, a desire to help, or for those brave enough to admit it, the thrill. Some things are certain, though. The money isn't there. The thrill is fleeting (ask anyone who has transported the patient with a dislodged catheter at 3:00 am). And the work is less than glamorous most of the time.

As cellist Nancy Donaruma said,

"I've always had an interest in how the human body works — and doesn't," she said. "And I do like taking care of people."

I believe you have read similar words here before. EMS is about taking care of people. Those who embrace this thrive, those who don't move on.

If you work at Alamo EMS in New York there is now one additional reason to stay in EMS: free cello concerts.