EMS Week Concludes with 2026 Paramedic Pinning Ceremony

Emily Denholm, Public Information Office
5/26/2026

Students in the paramedic program at Iowa Central Community College were honored during the 2026 Paramedic Pinning Ceremony held Thursday, May 21, recognizing the completion of their training and their transition into the emergency medical profession.

The ceremony celebrated the dedication, perseverance, and compassion demonstrated by this year’s graduates as they completed the rigorous program and prepared to serve communities across Iowa and beyond. Family members, friends, faculty, and clinical partners gathered to recognize the achievements of the Class of 2026 and the meaningful impact these graduates will make in emergency medical services.

The pinning ceremony represents an important milestone for paramedic students, symbolizing their commitment to patient care and their readiness to enter the field as healthcare professionals.

This year’s graduates included:

Emily Angelo graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedicine and will return home to New Hampshire to begin her career in EMS. She was pinned by her mother and father.

Sarah Cummins earned an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedicine and plans to work in the Buena Vista and Cherokee County region. She was pinned by her parents, Alan and Celeste Cummins.

Troy Grimes, a United States Army veteran, graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedicine and will be working for Belmond Emergency Services and Humboldt Ambulance Service. He was pinned by his daughter, Alivia Grimes.

Emma Lee completed her Paramedic Certificate and will continue serving as a paramedic at Van Diest Medical Center. She was pinned by her fiancé, Sam Sexe.

Brea Williams graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedicine and looks forward to beginning her career as a paramedic in the Des Moines area. She was pinned by her father, Patrick Williams.

Leland Williams earned his Paramedic Certificate and will work with Clarion Ambulance Service and the Waverly Health Center EMS Department. He was pinned by his mentor, Nick Nedza.

Faculty members recognized the determination and professionalism demonstrated by the graduates throughout the program’s classroom, lab, clinical, and field experiences. Students completed extensive hands-on training designed to prepare them for the fast-paced and demanding environment of emergency medical services.

Iowa Central’s EMS program continues to provide students with real-world experiences through partnerships with hospitals, ambulance services, and emergency response agencies throughout the region. These collaborations help students develop the skills and confidence needed to deliver high-quality patient care in emergency situations.

As the graduates take the next step in their careers, the pinning ceremony served as a reminder of the critical role paramedics play in communities every day. Iowa Central congratulates the Class of 2026 and looks forward to the positive impact these graduates will make in the field of emergency medical services.