This week’s Hometown Hero, Leah Tilden, is a Level II EMS instructor and UNC alumnus with a degree in psychology and a graduate certificate in community preparedness/disaster management.

“It’s an exciting time in EMS,” said Tilden. “Because community paramedicine is becoming a really big thing. We’ve realized that EMS providers shouldn’t just be taking people to the emergency room, they should be helping them mitigate the reasons that cause them to end up in the emergency room.”

Tilden teaches at Durham Technical Community College’s Orange County Campus, leading classes and practical exercises with future EMTs.

“I am continuing education coordinator for [Durham Tech’s] EMS program,” said Tilden. “So I help manage all of the initial provider EMT paramedic classes, continuing education for local fire departments, and American Heart Association CPR and first aid classes.”

Tilden has extensive experience in the field of emergency medicine and crisis relief, but her career began by taking a chance on a course during her time as a student at UNC.

“I thought I was originally going to go into psychology and took the EMT class for fun. I fell in love with EMS and kind of just kept pursing that direction … I ended up getting my Master’s in public health from East Carolina”

After discovering her passion for EMS work, Tilden took to working locally to gain experience and insight.

“I started about 16 or 17 years ago with South Orange Rescue Squad out of Carrboro,” said Tilden. “An all-volunteer organization, we do everything from EMS service in the local area, water rescue, confined spaces, high angle … I really got my start in water rescue. It’s what I’ve always really loved most.”

Tilden’s commitment to serving the community doesn’t end in crisis situations and ambulances, however. According to Roxie Edwards, a co-worker at Durham Tech, Tilden “was the reason we far exceeded donations for the Food Bank,” referring to donations to Durham Tech’s “Campus Harvest” pantry.

“My family has always been really big into volunteering and giving back to our community, as long as I can remember,” said Tilden. “People with food insecurities has been what’s called to me. I give to my local pantry and Durham Tech has a pantry that supports our students, so I help organize a couple months a year where the EMS program actually sponsors Durham Tech’s food pantry specifically.”

Working within any given community helps to forge strong bonds with those living there, but work that contributes to the overall good of the whole inevitably makes those ties bind even tighter. Work like teaching, or providing food and medicine.

“Leah strives to make sure that our EMS students receive the best teaching we have to offer,” said Edwards. “She is always there, willing to help anyone accomplish their goals.”

Luckily for Leah, and for the rest of us, she finds joy in what she does.

“I love what I do and not everybody gets to say that,” said Tilden. “I started thinking I was going to go one way in my career and end up an EMS, which I really loved, and then that turned into a teaching career. There’s nothing better than getting to teach what you love, so I get to help bring all these new EMTs and paramedics into our community.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
Hometown Hero: Vimala Rajendron
Winning Chapel Hill Magazine’s “Best Indian Food in Chapel Hill” award in 2012 and consistently placing as a finalist in “Best of” and “Reader’s Choice” polls in Indy Week’s “Best of the Triangle” awards isn’t the only thing that’s made Vimala’s Curryblossom Café notable here in Chapel Hill. The owner, Vimala Rajendron, garners just as […]
Hometown Hero Luncheon 2017
Hometown Heroes: Laurie Paolicelli
Laurie Paolicelli has served as the executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau for 11 years. Deb Stroman, who nominated Paolicelli for this week’s Hometown Hero award, says that Paolicelli “exudes energy, creativity and kindness.” As the executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau, Paolicelli has worked to make a difference […]
Hometown Hero: Jackie Carden
This week’s Hometown Hero is an experienced officer with the Chapel Hill Police Department, a captain who has extensive experience in public safety disciplines, and a lifelong Tar Heel and UNC alumnus. Jackie Carden has served the Chapel Hill community actively since 1990, working both behind the scenes and in the field. “Jackie is one […]
Hometown Hero - Maggie West
This week’s Hometown Hero is Maggie West, a UNC alumnus and engaged member of the community. West co-founded the Community Empowerment Fund in 2009 while she was a student at UNC as a sustainable way to help the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Orange and Durham County. “We work with people […]
Hometown Hero: Cresha Cianciolo
This week’s Hometown Hero is Cresha Cianciolo, a frequent volunteer and organizer for many programs instilling positive change in our community.   As a founding volunteer for annual fundraiser “Opening Doors,” benefitting the Community Home Trust, Cianciolo has helped raise the capital to help push for local affordable housing. She has also volunteered with the […]
Hometown Hero: Tami Pfeifer
Boomerangs return when thrown properly, and the Boomerang program helps kids suspended from school return in better shape than they were before. This week’s Hometown Hero is Tami Pfeifer, the executive director of Boomerang. With a background in social work and helping youth achieve their full potential, Pfeifer is “enthusiastic, dynamic, full of ideas and […]
Hometown Hero: Florence Peacock
Photo by Jackie Helvey Like many of our WCHL Hometown Heroes, this week’s hero is known for her humble and understated nature. Florence Peacock has been recognized for her quiet cultural contributions to the Chapel Hill community. “Florence is special because of her humility and her generosity,” said Nerys Levy, who nominated Peacock. “She has […]
Hometown Hero: Marjorie Land
This week’s Hometown Hero is Marjorie Land, a caring woman and extraordinarily active member of her community. Called a “precious jewel” by Mae McLendon, who nominated her for this week’s Hometown Hero, Land is retired with 41 years of nursing experience. Land has made use of her wealth of experiential knowledge to help those around […]
Hometown Hero: Richard Tackaberry
Chartered in 1956, the Orange County Historical Museum stands as a collection of domestic goods, family heirlooms, and historically significant artifacts from the Orange County area. Run by the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange County, the purpose of the society and the museum was described in a letter from Mrs. Marion B. Roberts, Secretary […]
›