Momentum Award: Chris Faherty

“Chris played a fundamental role in accruing a Class 5 ambulance for Eagle EMS,” Morris said. “Chris’ leadership has allowed Eagle EMS to provide thousands of hours of EMS coverage for the Boston College community, and he has worked to build lasting relationships between Eagle EMS and many other departments.”

Beyond his administrative abilities and dedication, Faherty’s co-workers commended him for his skills as an EMT, as well.

“As an EMT, his skills are paralleled by few at BC, but he remains humble about his abilities even though he has multiple CPR saves with his volunteer company at home in New Jersey, and has changed the lives of many patients who he only sees for a matter of hours, or even minutes,” Godley said.

Faherty cited the expansion of the office in the winter of 2010 as a key factor in the development of the organization while he served as president.

“One of the toughest things about working with administrators is opening their eyes to the value of a student ambulance service, especially when they’re used to paid services,” Faherty said. “Dr. [Patrick] Rombalski [vice president for Student Affairs] recognized the benefit of it, and not even just for healthcare, but also for the purpose students feel as part of the organization.” After some convincing, the Eagle EMS closet was expanded into a full-sized office. The changes to the office brought a new wave of membership, a larger budget, and new equipment for the organization.

After two years with Faherty as president, Eagle EMS now provides full medical coverage at football games and almost 300 events per year, including club sports, concerts, dances, Relay for Life, and many more. “There really isn’t much that we don’t cover anymore,” he said. “If there’s a legitimate gathering of people, we’re happy to cover it.”

Now that membership has grown so extensively, Faherty said that Eagle EMS has been flourishing due to increased visibility. At the same time, the organization is turning internally to improve education for members.

Rombalski spoke highly of Faherty and his dedication to the University and to Eagle EMS.

“As a freshman, Chris immediately became involved in a leadership capacity in Eagle EMS and facilitated their move from a good student organization to one of the strongest, most well-run organizations on campus,” Rombalski said.

Faherty is currently studying neuroscience in the pre-medical program at BC, and hopes to attend medical school. His love for EMS and his involvement in Eagle EMS has given him a “second passion,” however.

“I love the energy of EMS, the split-second decisions,” Faherty said. “You’re on the third floor of a house and there’s a 50-year-old man having a heart attack—what do you do? It’s you, you, and you. You’re in that situation and everyone’s going to turn to you and say, what do we do?”

Faherty will step down as president next year so that the organization can continue to develop and become sustainable without him, and Wickersham will take his place as president. Faherty will serve as vehicle operations coordinator, focusing on the development of the new Class 5 ambulance that was purchased this past spring. “I think it’s time to get someone with fresh ideas,” he said. “I don’t want the organization to stagnate.”

It’s more than just the medical experience that keeps Faherty coming back for more. It’s also the relationships he builds—with patients, with administrators, and with fellow EMTs. Fostering relationships is a skill he has perfected as a Resident Assistant for the Office of Residential Life, and it’s one he has applied on his floor and to Eagle EMS.

“Setting aside all the accomplishments, to build a family in Eagle EMS was my ultimate goal, and I think we’ve accomplished that,” Faherty said.