‘Heroes in HealthCare’ 2013 Awards Emergency Response Recipient – Mark Zamora

FRESNO – Mark Zamora began his career as an EMT shortly after graduating high school.  Over the past seven years, he has been a paramedic for American Ambulance, participating on the STAR Rescue Team, Swift Water Rescue Team, and Fresno Police Department SWAT Team.  Zamora was also a flight paramedic for Skylife Air Ambulance.

In 2012, Zamora earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and then became the Medical Careers ROP instructor for Duncan Polytechnical High School.  In his role there, he teaches 80 high school juniors about various medical occupations, and gets the chance to share with them his own experiences from his past careers.  He works individually with those struggling with disabilities, some who have difficult home lives, and others who are pregnant.  He works long hours, and also tutors math and English students.  He engages students in community service projects, including the most recent “Step Up for Down Syndrome” walk, where dozens of students participated.

Zamora’s Medical Careers students go to the VA Hospital Primary Clinic twice a week for clinicals, learning what it’s like to have various jobs around the hospital.  His wife, Debbie, is his contact at the VA.  The couple lives in Fresno and have three children: Michael, Christiana and Ariana.

The “Heroes in HealthCare” awards reception is coming to the Skyroom Lounge in the Holiday Inn Fresno Downtown on Thursday, May 30.  Awards will be presented in the following categories:  Physician, Nurse, Healthcare Professional, Volunteer, Emergency Response, Innovation, and Dentist.  A special Lifetime Achievement Award will also be given.  Tickets are $55, and can be purchased at http://heroesinhealthcare.com/heroesinhealthcare.com/Tickets.html.