This article originally appeared in July 2017 issue of The West Chester Press.
Story by Skye McDonald
Photos by Sabina Sister
Adrianne Pohar's passion for the paramedical has served her well through 25 years in the clinical profession, from landing a full-time job just four months out of medical school at Lancaster's St. Joseph Hospital to her rapid promotion to Director of Paramedic Services for Medic 91, the rapid-response arm of the Chester County Hospital. But, it wasn't until she found her passion that Pohar really hit her stride. She realized partway through her college career that her field of study might not be setting her up for the job she really wanted. That's when she asked an EMT friend what the job was like. The job description was enough to prompt a change of course for Adrianne, and after training at EMT school, she fell in love.
Adrianne Pohar, Director of Paramedic Services for Medic 91
and EMS Liaison at Chester County Hospital
As the director of paramedic services for Medic 91 and EMS liaison at Chester County Hospital, she loves what she does every day. "The most rewarding part is, honestly, helping patients," Pohar stated. "I like when I can talk to a patient and establish a good rapport and understand each individual needs."
Building that rapport has always been important to Pohar. It's how she received a Practitioner of the Year Award for Chester County back in 2005, as well as a clinical excellence award for stabilizing the vital signs of a just-born infant.
"The infant was delivered before EMS arrival," described Pohar. "I arrived and found the premature infant on the ground of the bathroom. I asked the crew to retrieve an OB kit and the pediatric gear from the Medic unit. I clamped and cut the umbilical cord, warmed her and assisted with ventilations due to her not breathing adequately. Her color improved immediately with assistance. She spent numerous weeks in the neonatal ICU and she did very well. I believe she will be 13 this year."
Pohar loves working at Medic 91, Chester County's first medic unit, which was established in 1982. Most of the care they provide is on-the-street, acute, life-saving measures similar to when she saved that infant. It's a process, one that requires several team members and departments in that chain of survival. It's an extremely dynamic position. "A lot of people don't understand what paramedics do," she said. "They think we're ambulance drivers, when we actually take the emergency room to the street."
The constant collaboration with the cardiac team at the Chester County Hospital provides some of Pohar's most rewarding interactions. "We have a strong relationship with the ER and the CATH [Cardiac Catheterization] lab with heart attack patients," she stated. "I'm very proud of the department because it improves the patient's chances of recovery."
Pohar is particularly adamant about working for the Chester County Hospital. "It's a community hospital and you have that community feel," Pohar emphasized. "We're a big family here, not just within the department, but also within the emergency room and in the entire hospital. That's kept me here all these years."