A former Sundre resident now working as a paramedic in Fort McMurray is thrilled to be joining a medical mission to Ghana in November.
Greg Meservia, who went to school in Sundre but completed Grade 12 in Leduc to play hockey, recently told the Round Up about his impending two-week trip to Africa as part of a team of more than 60 others who will be providing a variety of medical care.
"This'll be a big first," he said when asked whether he had ever before embarked on such an undertaking, which involves raising funds. As of the week of Sept. 4, Meservia's fundraising campaign had reached $5,400 of a $7,500 goal with more than two months to go. Any funds raised above and beyond that goal before the Nov. 30 deadline will be allocated to future teams.
"We will be providing clinics to over 5,000 patients of all ages who are unable to afford medical care."
The team's mission is being facilitated through Ghana Rural Integrated Development, or GRID, which is a Canadian charity that enables sustainable development in the African nation. To date, the 31-year-old will be the first paramedic who has gotten involved with the initiative, he said.
Meservia, whose local roots provide ample reason to occasionally return to Sundre to visit with friends and family, will have by the end of September completed four years of service as a paramedic in Fort McMurray.
The profession combines three aspects he most enjoys in life ó travelling the open road, working with and helping people, as well as the unpredictable nature of an ever-changing line of work and knowing that two days will never be the same, he said.
"It's more of a calling than a job."
Prior to becoming a paramedic, Meservia said he had also worked as an emergency medical technician during a period of time that saw him working out of eight halls, which included occasionally responding to calls in Sundre as well as Olds, Didsbury, Cochrane, Three Hills, Linden and Canmore. Before even that experience, he had completed a two-week program to become an emergency medical responder with the Sundre Fire Department.
"I can't say enough good things about the time I spent there."
He went on to successfully complete his EMT training following a six-month program at SAIT, and after working in the field for a few years became convinced he was prepared for the next step, so he enrolled in courses at NAIT to become a paramedic.
Among the most rewarding elements of the job, he said, is being able to provide hope to people when he and his partner arrive at a scene, regardless of whether the situation is a minor nosebleed or a major medical emergency.
"When we show up, people know there's a good chance we'll be able to help solve the problem and take care of them and their loved ones."
Naturally, not every call has a positive outcome, but there is a sense of gratification that stems from being able to offer assistance and support to those who are left behind following the death of a loved one, he said.
"I wouldn't know how I'd react if I was faced with some of the things I've seen people face," he said, adding being a paramedic sometimes means providing a sympathetic shoulder to lean on to help someone through the initial shock of a devastating loss. Such cases, which generally speaking are not a big part of the profession, can be challenging and require responders to keep their wits and confidence about them.
"The classroom can't always prepare you for the real world."
Learning about the mission to Ghana through relatives who encouraged him to consider getting involved, Meservia decided to put together an application and also did an interview, later learning by email that he had been selected to join the team.
"I'm over the moon!" he said enthusiastically, adding that he has over the past few months been getting the chance to prepare for the mission, which has included meeting with many other members of the team as well as lining up travel documents and vaccinations.
From triage, to helping with deliveries of newborns, as well as of course rapid response to reach those who cannot immediately get themselves to the clinic, the skill set at his disposal means Meservia can provide assistance in a variety of different medical areas.
"I'm looking forward to helping wherever my skills will come in handy."
The team will for the two-week duration mostly be operating out of a clinic in a town called Carpenter, but it will also engage in mobile field visits. The response generated so far, which has resulted in an outpouring of support, "has been beyond incredible," he said.
"The excitement people have for me is almost hard to describe. It's been very humbling and I haven't even gone yet."
Meservia expects to arrive in Ghana on Nov. 11, and should be home on Nov. 25. The fundraiser, www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/ghana-health-team-greg-meservia, ends Nov. 30.
"It all goes to help us and the people when we get over there."
He expressed gratitude to friends, family, community and colleagues who have been really supportive of his plans.
"I'm just excited to get over there and come back to share some stories."
