At first glance, it would seem that Tina Nabhan had little reason to return to college.
The Portage resident already has an established career, having worked as a paramedic for about 12 years and currently serving as chief of emergency medical services for the South Haven Fire Department. But, on May 13, she will graduate from Ivy Tech Community College with an associate degree in Paramedic Science.
“A college degree can never be a bad thing,” Nabhan said. “If I leave fire service, without a college degree, I have nothing. To the rest of the world, a college degree is everything. If you plan on moving on, you need a degree.”
Nabhan has nothing but praise for Ivy Tech’s Paramedic Science program, which began in 2016.
“The facilities and equipment are amazing,” she said. “Our field is evolving and getting respect. Programs like this are what’s doing it.”
Her original plan was to attend nursing school, but the excitement of EMS drew her into that field.
“I’m kind of a thrillseeker-type personality,” she said.
Her first job as an emergency medical technician was with an ambulance company. That was 15 years ago, about the same time she became a volunteer firefighter. She went through a non-degree paramedic program years ago as a single mom with two young girls.
“I wanted something better for them,” Nabhan said. But being a woman in a traditionally male field hasn’t been easy.
“As a woman, you have a lot more to prove,” she said. “Physically, you have to work harder to do the same job. I was told I couldn’t do it, but that pushes me.”
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Nabhan’s husband, Nedal, is an Indiana state trooper, who met his wife when he was a South Haven volunteer firefighter. The couple has three daughters, the oldest of which is a firefighter/paramedic in South Haven who plans to start the paramedic science program this summer.
Nabhan started taking classes at Ivy Tech in 2015 and received credit for her paramedic experience. She became a program instructor in January.
“Tina is smart, persistent and a leader within our field,” Jeff Lawley, Paramedic Science program chair, said.
“In the beginning, (teaching) was intimidating,” Nabhan said, “but watching the progress of the students … they’re getting it. They’re going to save lives. I’m pretty proud of that.”
Donna Kiesling is a marketing assistant at Ivy Tech Community College.