Faculty

Juddson Smith

Juddson Smith, MBA, LP

Program Director

He has the privilege of playing a role in the co-founding of Axon Education Consortium and have actively contributed to its ongoing development.

Education

  • West Texas A&M University, Master’s in Business Administration, 2022
  • McMurry University, Bachelor of Arts, 2011
  • Texas State Technical College, Associates in Paramedicine, 2013
Adam Wester

Adam Wester

Assistant Program Director & Instructional Coordinator

Adam serves as the Assistant Program Director and Instructional Coordinator for Axon Education. He leads curriculum development and instruction design, ensuring that our students and staff receive high quality educational experiences. Adam’s passion is helping others grow and succeed through innovative and effective learning solutions.

Professional Certifications

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration, Columbia Southern University, 2024
  • Texas State Technical College, Associate of Emergency Medical Technology – Paramedicine, 2014

Honors, Awards, and Achievements

Adam has received the following awards and ribbons through the United States Marine Corps

  • Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal,
  • Iraq Campaign Medal with Device,
  • Global War on Terrorism Medal,
  • National Defense Ribbon,
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
  • National Honor Society of Leadership and Success
Gary Bowker

Brittany Bangert

Director of Student Support

Brittany is the Director of Student Support. She has been working with Axon since January of 2021. Her current position focuses on improving the student experience and working with her team to ensure that students are receiving the best communication and advice that they can to be successful in their respective programs.

Professional Certifications

Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), EMS Instructor, CPR Instructor

Education

  • Associates, Los Medanos Community College, 2018
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of California, 2020
  • Emergency Medical Technician, Axon Education
  • Paramedic, Axon Education (Expected 2024)
Melissa Berrie

Melissa Berrie

Lead Instructor

Professional Certifications

Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), PEARS (Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization) Instructor, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Instructor, Heartsaver Instructor, Stop the Bleed Instructor, Texas EMS Instructor, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Instructor, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), NAEMSE Level 2 EMS Instructor, Emergency Preparedness Instructor/Trainer, NREMT-Paramedic

Education

  • EMT-Basic Certification, Howard College
  • Paramedic Certification, West Texas Emergency Training
  • Critical Care Paramedic Course, Peace-Health Oregon EMS
  • American Heart Association, EMS Region III, Emergency Cardiac Care Training Center

Honors, Awards, and Achievements

  • Psychological First Aid
  • Critical Incident Stress Debriefing/Management
  • Ambulance Documentation Specialist
  • TX Notary Public
Jaffin Durham

Jaffin Durham

Instructor

Education

  •  Associates in Arts, Howard Junior College 2005
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness and Economics, Oklahoma State University, 2007
  • EMT Basic, Western Texas College, 2009
  • EMT Intermediate, Western Texas College, Snyder, Texas, 2010
  • Paramedic, South Plains College, Levelland, Texas 1 Course, 2011
 

 Honors, Awards, and Achievements

  • State Deployment Certifications
  • Strike team Member
  • Strike Team Leader
  • Ambulance Staging Management Team
  • Mobile Medical Unit member
  • Medical Incident Support Team 
  • Critical Incident Stress Management Certified
  • Tactical Combat Casualty Care 
  • Flight Paramedic 
Nicole Bowker

Nicole Bowker

Instructor

Professional Certifications

Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Texas EMS Instructor, NREMT-Paramedic

Education

  • Associate of Applied Science, Remington College, 2009
  • EMT, Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services, 2014
  • Paramedic, Axon Education Consortium, 2023

Honors, Awards, and Achievements

  • Instruction OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Risk
    Nicole has a list of awards and ribbons from the United States Navy:
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
  • Global War on Terrorism Ribbon
  • Humanitarian Service Medal
  • Good Conduct Award
Richard Fikes

Richard Fikes

Instructor

Professional Certifications

Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), EMS Instructor, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), TCFP (Texas Commission for Fire Protection) Basic Firefighter/Instructor

Education

  • EMT Basic Course, South Plains College EMS Programs, 2007
  • Basic Fire Protection Course, Training Division Fire Academy, 2008
  • EMT – Intermediate and Paramedic Courses, Olton EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Training Program, 2011
  • TEEX Fire Training School, Instructor 1 Course, 2016
  • Paramedic, NREMT

Honors, Awards, and Achievements

2023 American Ambulance Association Star of Life Honoree: The most prestigious honor in the EMS industry, the Star of Life Award recognizes the contributions of frontline providers who demonstrate extraordinary service to their patients, communities, or profession. Fewer than 1% of EMS professionals are estimated to have received this honor.
TXDSHS (Texas Department of State Health Services) EMT-P (Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic)

Traven Berrie

Traven Berrie

Instructor

Professional Certifications

EMT-B, NREMT-B, Texas DSHS EMT Instructor, Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Master Peace Officer, ALERRT Active Shooter Level 1 Instructor, Mental Health Peace Officer Certification, NIMS ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800, 907

Education

  • Concho Valley Regional Law Enforcement Academy, 2004
  • Texas EMS School, 2023

Honors, Awards, and Achievements

  • Meritorious Service Award, Sweetwater PD 2019
  • Officer of the Year, Colorado City PD 2012 & 2014
Derrick Boisey

Derrick Boisey

Instructor

Professional Certifications

 Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT-P), Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Licensed Paramedic (LP)

Education

  • Associate of Fire Science, San Juan College, 2009
  • Associate of Science: Paramedicine, Texas State Technical College, 2013

Honors, Awards, and Achievements

  • Hurricane Harvey Disaster Response Team, Air Evac Lifeteam, 2017
Brooklyn Rhodes

Brooklyn Rhodes

Clinical Coordinator

Brooklyn Rhodes, the Clinical Coordinator, is a dedicated EMT with 4 years of experience, has successfully completed the Paramedic Program and will soon be nationally registered as a EMT – Paramedic. She has been with Axon since November 2023 in the Student Support department and has been the Clinical Coordinator since April.

Professional Certifications

 Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), EMS Instructor, NREMT / Texas Licensed Paramedic (In Progress)Texas Licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), NAEMT Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) Provider, NAEMT Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Provider

Tim Kelley

Tim Kelley

Instructor

Professional Certifications

Licensed Paramedic – LP, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 

Education 

  • Lonestar College EMT/Paramedic, 2019
  • Associates in Paramedicine, Lonestar College, 2020
  • Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Grand Canyon University, 2021
Gary Bowker

Gary Bowker

Instructor

Professional Certifications

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), TCFP Basic Firefighter, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certified