Gary Ryan, August 2024 - First Responder of the Month Honoree
Gary Ryan, August 2024
Gary is a Paramedic with Citizens’ Ambulance.
Gary Ryan
I began my career with Citizens Ambulance in 1989 as an EMT while still in high school. In 1990 I completed the Paramedic Program and hold various other roles over the years. Presently while part-time I am an Operations and Human Resources Manager. My day is always Sunday as the Officer in Charge.
Why do you do what you do?
From my childhood I have always had a strong desired to help others. It has been a part of me so long and perfect for me. While I wanted to one day become a physician, things just did not work out for me but all along I found myself in various roles equipped and ready to help others from EMT to Paramedic,. In 1998 after finishing my Bachelors Degree, I moved to Richmond, Virginia where I worked as an HR Generalist, then HR Manager and concluded my career in Richmond and a Senior VP of Human Resources, all along maintaining my Paramedic Certification. I later returned to the community with Indiana County, 9-1-1, Citizens’ Ambulance and also started a Consulting Practice – let’s just say I am not afraid of a hard day’s work. Currently I am full-time with ADVance Care Pharmacy as the Sales Manager.
What influenced you to get into public service?
My Aunt Flo Sgro worked for Citizens’ Ambulance and would always talk about it and it just became a goal of mine – that, accompanied with the desire to help others. It was meant to be, I suppose.
What part of this service has been the most gratifying?
Many … first and foremost the countless opportunities to help others and followed behind that, the ability to work with and meet so many amazing people from 9-1-1 Dispatchers, fellow EMT’s and Paramedics, the Directors, Fire Fighters, Law Enforcement and the Dr’s and nurses across the state.
What part of this service has been the hardest?
Realizing in certain situations that you are powerless and cannot fix certain things. While those were much further and fewer in circumstance, those tend to be the root cause of making the job hard. It is a true honor to use your life to save others and when those few circumstances were not available, it was difficult, when you care so genuinely about others and wanting to help and can’t, that is truly difficult.
What I do for a living?
I just always want to be known as a problem solver with a steadfast desire to help others. In my current role as a Sales Manager and Consultant for ADVance Care Pharmacy. It is amazing to see the impact medicine has for those chronic diseases others may face, often leading to a better lifestyle or even save lives.
