Northern Lakes College has a legacy of empowering individuals to excel in their chosen fields, and Avery Lachambre's journey from student to advanced care paramedic is a great example of student success. Through the College's paramedic programs, Avery embarked on a path that would lead her to become a skilled healthcare professional, making a difference in the lives of others.

Avery's journey into a career in paramedicine was sparked by her role as a firefighter with the Red Deer County Fire Department. Motivated by a desire to expand her skills and make a greater impact in serving her community, she enrolled in the Northern Lakes College Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program. She went on to also complete her Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) training in 2020. Avery faced the challenges of completing her final practicum amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—a testament to her resilience and dedication to her calling.

Reflecting on her experience, Avery credits her success in the Advanced Care Paramedic program to a combination of her own maturity as an adult student and the support provided by Northern Lakes College. "I really liked the ACP program," Avery recalls. "It exposed me to all different kinds of students and work styles. The instructors and administrative staff at NLC were also super nice, and I’ve always enjoyed working as part of a team with my classmates and with my coworkers in the field."

Central to Avery's success was the guidance and mentorship she received from her instructors and preceptors, particularly her PCP instructor, Jen. “Jen really set me up for success. She was so positive in her teaching, and she had no issue providing extra help after class. She really was like a friend, and I really appreciated the time I spent with her. The preceptor I had for my PCP practicum was really amazing too. After completing that program, I thought, ‘If I don’t go into the ACP program right away, I probably never will.’ So, I registered for that program and had another great experience.”

Now working as an Advanced Care Paramedic in St. Paul, Alberta, Avery continues to make a difference in the lives of those in need of medical assistance. Looking ahead, she hopes to someday transition into community care medicine, where she can provide education and support to patients in a slower-paced setting, particularly those with palliative needs.

Avery's advice to aspiring healthcare professionals resonates with the ethos of lifelong learning and collaboration fostered by Northern Lakes College: “Never stop learning; always take as much wisdom as you can from others."

Beyond the professional growth and fulfillment Avery has found through her education and career, there's an unexpected twist to her story. Shortly after completing her practicum and being hired as a Primary Care Paramedic, Avery met her fiancé, a firefighter on the same scene where she was providing emergency medical care—a sweet reminder of the serendipitous moments that life has to offer.

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