with Robb Rehberg
Raised:
Ramsey
Resides:
Westwood
Education:
B.S., athletic training and sports medicine, West Chester University,
Pennsylvania
M.S., sport science, United States Sports Academy, Alabama
Currently pursuing a Ph.D., health
sciences, Touro University International, New York
Family:
Wife, Joelle, of four years and 10-month-old daughter, Anna
Spare time activities:
Fishing and playing football
Favorite vacation spot:
Long Beach Island
It should come as no surprise that Montclair State's Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) received a Striving for Excellence Award from the
National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation considering
its director, Robb Rehberg, strives for excellence every day.
From his office in University Police Headquarters, Robb talks about his
work with a passion that comes from helping others and a gratitude for
the students who make the job worthwhile. "This achievement would
not have been possible without our student volunteers and their seemingly
unending dedication to providing quality EMS service to the campus community,"
he said, referring to the award EMS received this weekend in Washington,
D.C. "We are fortunate to have a great group of dedicated students."
The more than 30 students who volunteer their time on the ambulance squad
no doubt follow by example. In his five years at Montclair State, Robb
has taken the program to new levels by offering CPR and first aid training
to faculty and staff, providing 24/7 emergency medical services during
the academic year and limited summer coverage for the first time last
year, creating a Resident EMT Program, and successfully recruiting a dedicated
cadre of students to participate in the program.
Robb also teaches "Principles and Practices of Emergency Care"
each semester. In addition to his work here, he serves as an athletic
trainer at Westwood High School and is a charter member of the New Jersey
Disaster Medical Assistance Team. "I like helping people and making
a difference," he said. "It's good to be in a position to help
others."
Robb and several students responded on 9-11 to the waterfront in Jersey
City, where they spent the next several days providing medical care.
The people Robb most enjoys helping are students. "Without them,
we wouldn't be anywhere," he said about their contributions to the
EMS program. "They volunteer for the satisfaction of helping others
and getting experience." While some students plan on pursuing careers
in the medical field, others, such as the captain who is a music major,
do it for sheer enjoyment, he said.
Looking ahead, Robb hopes to increase educational programming for faculty
and staff, provide 24/7 coverage year round and find a home for the ambulance.
"As the student body increases, so will call volume," he said,
noting that EMS responded to 316 calls last year. The bright side, he
said, is a larger student population means a larger potential pool of
volunteers.
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