EMS Association Honors Pueblo College Instructors

Two faculty members from Pueblo Community College receive state awards for their contributions to emergency medical services.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People

A professional emergency medical training laboratory with a manikin on a gurney and medical equipment in a bright, modern classroom. — The Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado has honored two Pueblo Community College faculty members for their excellence and leadership in medical education. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado has recognized two Pueblo Community College instructors with prestigious annual awards. The recipients will be formally honored at the upcoming statewide EMSAC conference this November.

Why it matters

These awards highlight the significant leadership and educational contributions of local faculty members in the field of emergency medical services. Their recognition reflects the high standards set by the programs at Pueblo Community College.

The honorees bring extensive experience, including one instructor with over 20 years in the EMS field and another who has served as a department chair since 2005. The faculty also successfully launched a bachelor's degree program in 2020.

The players

Dawnelle Mathis

She is the EMS department chair at Pueblo Community College and the recipient of the CJ Shanaberger Lifetime Achievement Award.

Carter Smith

He is an instructor at Pueblo Community College who was named the Dr. Gerald Gordon EMS Instructor of the Year.

Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado

This professional organization supports the development of emergency medical services across the state through education and advocacy.

Pueblo Community College

This educational institution serves the Pueblo region and operates a campus in Mancos, offering various healthcare training programs.

The details

Dawnelle Mathis, who has led the department since 2005, is recognized for her role in creating the bachelor's degree program in advanced paramedic practice. Carter Smith, an instructor at the college since 2017, is noted for his two decades of professional experience.

Dawnelle Mathis became the EMS department chair in 2005.
Carter Smith joined PCC in 2017.
The bachelor's degree program was created in 2020.
Recipients will be honored at the EMSAC statewide conference in November.

Market Landscape

The recognition of these educators underscores the ongoing professionalization and academic growth of emergency medical services training programs. This aligns with broader industry efforts to elevate standards through specialized degree tracks and veteran leadership.

Students and prospective applicants benefit from learning under nationally recognized faculty who have demonstrated long-term commitment to the curriculum. This institutional excellence ensures that local emergency responders are trained by industry leaders.

The takeaway

These awards celebrate individual excellence that directly benefits the quality of local healthcare education. Future students in Pueblo can expect robust training guided by these award-winning faculty members.