RCC celebrates EMS graduates with coining ceremony

Robeson Community College celebrated its 2023 Emergency Medical Science graduates with its first-ever coining ceremony to commemorate their hard work and dedication in the emergency medical services field.

During the ceremony, students had an opportunity to hear from RCC EMS Alum Ross Masters who graduated in 2017.

“So, what can I tell you now that you’ve reached this plateau? I want to focus on three different things,” Masters said. “Number 1 – You’re prepared; Number 2 – You’re going to mess up; and Number 3 – The only way you can stop messing up is to keep learning.”

Masters is now a physician at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. He attended medical school at East Carolina University, but continues to remember his time spent in Robeson County as a paramedic.

“I have hit a lot of milestones…I am as proud of receiving my paramedic certificate as I am of anything else that I have done. What you have done is tremendous, you should all be very, very proud,” Masters told the students.

“RCC knows what they are doing… you’re leaving with a good foundation.”

John Dorsch, an emergency physician in Lumberton, gave closing remarks.

“I appreciate this opportunity to talk with these graduates and their families that supported them,” said Dorsch. “I’m excited to see you as teammates on the front lines…. We do things in the emergency department and you guys are an extension of that, I see you as my teammates.”

Dorsch gave the graduates some advice as they enter into the medical profession.

“Take care of your patients, take care of yourselves and take care of each other, because not everyone knows what we are going through,” Dorsch said. “Do the right thing when no one else is looking, strive for excellence, and sometimes to accept defeat because when we make mistakes, that’s when we learn. Take those moments and learn from them…keep working, reach out to mentors and just know that you are not alone.”

RCC student Hailey Lowery was chosen as the recipient of the RCC EMS Memorial Award for 2023. It’s an award given in memory of all first responders in Robeson County who have ran their final call.

The students listed below will receive their degree, an associate of applied science, on Wednesday, May 10 during Commencement.