Nicole Spadaro always knew she wanted to work in health care, but it wasn’t until she started the Paramedic program at Niagara College that she found her fit.

Now she’s looking forward to a career where she can care for people and serve her community.

We talk to Spadaro about what inspires her, where she’s going, and why she chose Niagara College.

Nicole Spadaro

Hometown: Grimsby

Age: 24

Academic Achievement: Dean’s Award Winner, School of Allied Health, Paramedic (94.0% average)

How do you feel about receiving the Dean’s Award, achieving the highest GPA in your program?

I was quite shocked. There are so many great people in my program who deserve recognition, especially after such a challenging two years. I haven’t always been the most dedicated student, but I found it easier to study material that I was actually passionate about.

To what factors do you attribute your academic success?

I have a really great support system in place, full of people who push me to do my best when it comes to school. My parents have supported me through any venture I wanted to take on, and I definitely don’t thank them enough for everything they have done for me. I also have some amazing friends in the program, specifically Carly Dann & Ava Wylie. Throughout the program we motivated each other and spent a lot of time going through material together and challenging ourselves to become the best paramedics we can be.

List any other post-secondary credentials (diplomas, degrees) you have achieved:

Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (specializing in Athletic Therapy), Queen’s University, 2020

Why are you passionate about your field of study?

I have always been interested in a career in the health care field, but it took a while to find the right fit. After starting out in athletic therapy, I found that I had a passion for emergency medicine and wanted a career where I can focus on that. As a paramedic, I feel privileged to be able to help someone in need on their worst day.

Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program? What do you feel you gained from the experience?

I did my consolidation with Niagara EMS, where I was paired up with two amazing paramedics: Helen Clarkson and Sarah Mark. They taught me more than I could ever learn from a textbook, and really helped me to refine my clinical skills. Doing my consolidation with Niagara Region helped me to make connections and have a leg up on the competition when it came to hiring.

Did you face any challenges over the course of your study?

Attending school while in the midst of a pandemic was difficult, but it provided an opportunity to learn more about our health care system and tackle problems in the classroom that I may otherwise not have learned about. I found it challenging at first to balance school, work, and a social life, but I learned to prioritize and made sure to put myself and my mental wellness first.

What have you been doing since completing your studies? What are your future plans?

After completing the program, I was fortunate enough to be offered a position with all four of the paramedic services I applied to. I have since accepted an offer with Niagara EMS and have been loving working as a paramedic, getting to serve the community in which I grew up.

What does graduating mean to you personally?

Graduating is validation that I can do what I set out to do. Not only that, but that I can excel in my field and contribute to society in a way that is tangible and important. To save one person through my career as a paramedic makes every hour of studying worth it.