In a candid interview, Rachel Schollmeier, NCS Currents Editorial Staff member, sits down with John Moon, (retired) Freedom House Emergency Medical Technician and Assistant Chief of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Service, to delve into his remarkable journey and a preview of his keynote session at the NCS 22nd Annual Meeting — to be held October 14-17 in San Diego. John's story is one of resilience and perseverance through various trials, beginning in Atlanta, Georgia, during a turbulent period of segregation. His path led him to Pittsburgh, where he was adopted by a family he didn't know and faced the challenges of adjusting to a new family environment after years in an orphanage. John's journey into EMS began as an orderly in a hospital, where he became inspired by two Freedom House paramedics. Despite some initial setbacks, his determination led him to complete an EMT course and eventually join Freedom House, a pioneer in pre-hospital care. This conversation highlights his incredible transformation, the significance of Freedom House, and the enduring impact of his work on the EMS community.

Note: Some sections of this interview have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Rachel Schollmeier (RS): Thank you so much for taking this time today. It’s great to be able to sit down with you and dive into your story, the upcoming conference, and your keynote session. To start out, could tell us a bit about yourself and your story?

John Moon (JM): Well, that's an interesting point. My story is what I would consider rather unique. It's one of resiliency and perseverance through a variety of different trials. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, during a very turbulent period where segregation was the norm. I moved to Pittsburgh on June 27, 1963, and I was adopted by a family that I didn't know I had. During that time, I had to adjust to living in a family environment because I had been away from that for, I would say, eight years. During that time, my sister and I spent time in an orphanage in Atlanta, Georgia. So when we got adopted into this family, it was a big adjustment to living in a family environment, and it had its trials. The rebellion period stepped in and things like that, but for the most part, I look at it as something that was ordained to prepare me for things that were to occur later on in my life. So right now, I can embrace it because it was a learning experience for me as much as it was traumatic. I got through it, and I can't thank my parents enough for their resiliency and determination to stick with this troubled child for so long. That was the CliffNotes version about me.

My story in EMS began ironically when I was an orderly in a hospital. Two Freedom House paramedics came in, and a patient was being discharged. There was something about these two guys that commanded the attention of that room, and I kept watching them. I didn't know their names, but I noticed the patch on their smock that said Freedom House Ambulance Service. After they left, I went to the yellow pages of the phone book and discovered where Freedom House's offices were. Ironically, they were located at a hospital directly across from where I was working at the time. I went there and walked in. In my mind, I'm an orderly; I've changed beds, I've changed bedpans and things like that. How difficult could this job be? So I walked into this office and said, "I'm here to apply for a job." The gentleman said, "Okay. If I showed you a picture of the lungs, would you be able to diagram the respiratory system?" No. "Okay. If I showed you a picture of the heart, would you be able to diagram the circulatory system?" No. He said, "Okay, you're not qualified to work here." I took that not with a grain of salt because it was rather shocking, and what it did is it unleashed a part of me that put me in a mindset that there isn't anything that I can't accomplish, and that followed me all the way up to where I am now. It may take me a while to get through it, but eventually, I will.

So I left there, and that voice in the back of my mind said, "Okay, John, this is what you wanted to do. It's up to you to find out a way to do it." So I went back to the yellow pages and found an EMT course at a fire training academy. It was for 13 weeks. I went there twice a week, passed the course, got my certificate, and they were giving out patches then. I went back to Freedom House about three months later and got hired on the spot. As they say, the rest is history.

RS: That's a great story. From where you started to where you are now, it really sets the stage for resiliency and growth and acts as the catalyst for all that was to come. That’s an incredible story of transformation and the steppingstones you took to get there. It really stood out to me that there's nothing you can't accomplish when you put your mind to it.

JM: I accomplished what I later found out was my calling. I didn't know it at the time, but that's what it turned out to be, and I never looked back from that point on.

RS: Further tying into that, what are some of the key takeaways or insights that NCS Annual Meeting attendees can expect from your keynote session: The Legacy of Freedom House Ambulance: America's First Paramedics?

JM: That's a great question because when I'm telling people about Freedom House, it actually fulfills the desires of my heart. Primarily, this is a part of history that has been dormant for well over 50 years. Once I retired after 34 years at Pittsburgh EMS, I went on a personal journey to bring this history back to the forefront or resurrect it from the unknown. This opportunity is cherished because it fulfills that desire. What I want people to understand is that a particular career path we often take for granted — thinking there was always a 911 system — is deeply rooted in history. In today's culture, we can't envision a world without paramedics or the 911 system, but we often don't think about the foundation. The main purpose I want to convey is that the foundation of every EMS system in this country, which we often take for granted and see glorified on television and in literature, started in an underserved, neglected neighborhood in Pittsburgh's Hill District by a group of visionaries and innovators. We, as the paramedics, were what I would call creative change-makers. We aimed to provide a service to a neglected, underserved community, and in doing so, created a foundation that was eventually accepted throughout this country, if not the world. I want people to understand that the foundation of what we see today, despite the disappointments, trials, setbacks, and broken promises we had to endure, began with this system that the world now takes for granted. It’s the foundation of EMS or pre-hospital care as we see it today.

RS: Absolutely. I think that's something that will have a huge impact on attendees. People are really going to be moved by the story. It's going to reveal efforts and struggles that are often unknown. While we have these services today, understanding the process, the struggles, and the visionaries behind these efforts is crucial. This background knowledge will be an impactful piece of the conference, highlighting the importance of these historical contributions.

JM: And I want the audience itself to actually feel what these pioneers endured in creating this glorified pre-hospital care system. Because it's very unique in itself, and it wasn't an easy transition. We talk about perseverance and resilience, and this is probably one of the best examples I could use. We were given a label by society that looked at us as the least likely to succeed, society's throwaways. But the mistake society made was not telling us. So we went about living in the moment and creating a system that's now glorified around the country, if not the world.

RS: That's incredible. Speaking of developments, what is a significant trend or change currently shaping the neurocritical care field, or the larger healthcare field in general, that might be addressed during your keynote?

JM: The pre-hospital care arena has changed drastically. New treatments for trauma, heart attacks, and strokes have emerged. For instance, many EMS systems now provide whole blood to trauma victims. The use of Narcan for opioid overdoses, which we administered back in 1973, is now widespread. These advancements show how far we've come and highlight the importance of foundational work in this field.

RS: That's fascinating. Attendees will gain valuable insights into these developments and their historical context. What do you hope attendees will take away from your talk and apply to their own expertise?

JM: I hope attendees will see the importance of investing in the communities they serve. Building strong relationships with the community can help address personnel shortages and increase diversity in pre-hospital care. Here in Pittsburgh, we've started a Freedom House EMT Training Academy to train and employ individuals from the community. This model can be replicated to improve care and create opportunities in other areas.

RS: That's excellent advice. What challenges do you see facing neurocritical care professionals, and how can attending the NCS Annual Meeting help address these challenges?

JM: A significant challenge is how we approach patients. We need to treat them as we would our own family members, with empathy and compassion. This mindset can improve patient care and outcomes. The NCS Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to share best practices and learn from others in the field, helping professionals address these challenges more effectively.

RS: Absolutely. Compassion and empathy are crucial in patient care. Finally, what advice would you give to individuals starting in the neurocritical care field? How can they make a difference and make waves?

JM: Put your heart into your work. Compassion, empathy, and dedication come from the heart. By truly caring for your patients and putting your heart into your profession, you'll provide the best possible care. This approach will help you make a significant impact in your field.

RS: Thank you so much for your time, John. It's been a pleasure talking with you.

JM: Thank you; it’s been a pleasure as well!

Click below to register for the NCS Annual Meeting and hear John Moon’s inspiring story firsthand.