Who we are, what we do

Rhys Clark, Primary Care Paramedic, Wellness Facilitator: Initially, I was fascinated by the science and how we could intervene to help. But once I entered the role as a Wellness (Peer Support) Facilitator, I discovered something even more meaningful: listening to the stories people share, finding small ways to make their day better, and being present. That human connection—and the chance to support not just patients, but also my peers—quickly became just as important as the medicine. I love helping people. Early in my career, that meant supporting patients during some of the hardest moments of their lives. In my current role, it means helping my peers—so they can continue showing up with compassion and resilience for the people they care for. Being part of that support system is deeply rewarding. I've been on many physically demanding calls—hiking into the woods to assess a patient, carrying someone down 10 flights of stairs during a power outage, or doing CPR with my partner for what felt like forever while waiting for backup. But the calls that tend to be even more draining for me are the ones that are mentally taxing. One such call involved a patient in the middle of a severe mental health crisis. Police were already on scene and concerned the individual might become violent. I entered with officers and quickly focused on de-escalating the situation. By listening carefully and showing genuine empathy, I was able to gain the patient’s trust and safely walk them to the ambulance without incident. When we arrived at the hospital, the patient became more agitated about going inside. I knew that the environment—loud, bright, and chaotic—could trigger a setback. I waited with the patient in the back of the ambulance until a room was ready. I stayed with them for two hours, helping them stay calm and grounded. It was emotionally draining in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Once the patient was safely inside, I took a few quiet moments to collect myself. It reminded me how critical empathy, patience, and presence can be in supporting people through their most vulnerable moments.