Dr. Susan Braithwaite

Biography

Dr. Susan Smith Braithwaite, NRP, Assistant Professor, began her EMS career in 1988 as a paramedic in Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Medical Care from Western Carolina University in 1988, her Master of Health Sciences degree from North Carolina State University in 2007, and completed her Doctor of Education Degree in Adult and Community College Education from the North Carolina State University in 2014. Susan joined the WCU faculty in 2012. Susan currently serves as faculty for the National Association of EMT’s for both Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support and Advanced Medical Life Support. Susan is an instructor for the American Heart Association for Pediatric, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and basic life support. She is a Level II Paramedic Coordinator through the North Carolina Office of EMS and a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Her hobbies include quilting, guitar, craft beer and enjoying the mountains of North Carolina.

Education

• Ph D, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
• MAED, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
• BS, Western Carolina University, Emergency Medical Care

Teaching Interests

Teaching interests include; Cardiology, Advanced and Basic ECG Interpretation, Advanced Resuscitation Management, Pathophysiology, Trauma, and Ethics

Research Interests

Research interests include; PTSD in EMS, ethics, ethical decision-making in paramedic practice, learning styles and retention and qualitative research methods