Title: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Company: Bloomer Community Ambulance
Location: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, United States
Elizabeth Gustavson, advanced emergency medical technician at Bloomer Community Ambulance, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Health Care Professionals for dedication, achievements, and leadership in emergency services and alcohol and drug abuse.
After devoting more than five years to raising her children and working in the insurance industry, Ms. Gustavson has embraced a new professional path in the health care world. For the past four years, she has offered essential services as an advanced emergency medical technician (EMT) for Bloomer Community Ambulance. Ms. Gustavson always aimed to become an EMT, and her ability to achieve this goal after many years demonstrates her passion and persistence. In addition to general emergency services, she specializes in helping people handle drug addiction and mental health problems. Ms. Gustavson has suffered from and overcome post-traumatic stress disorder; those experiences lend her a compassionate, thoughtful perspective, allowing her to offer support to fellow EMTs and members of the wider public who are struggling.
Ms. Gustavson has showcased her warmhearted approach to patient care through numerous outlets. Most notably, she partnered with the Persons with Lived Experience Committee to create a video about mental health and substance abuse for emergency medical services employees. Through this video and other venues, Ms. Gustavson has argued that people who are working through addiction or mental illness can still live successful, fulfilling lives and that they deserve the same level of respect and care as those affected by physical health emergencies. Her video, made in collaboration with a director and instructor at a local technical college, uses real-life stories to get across her ideas dramatically. Ms. Gustavson’s video is now used in technical schools, continuing education sessions and police station training programs. In recognition of this effort, she was named First Responder of the Year for the 67th District in 2023, which she considers her greatest career highlight so far.
Beyond advocating for people with mental health or alcohol and drug abuse problems, Ms. Gustavson has built a reputation for contributing to the wider community. She has regularly participated in Pride Day and charity walks in support of suicide prevention. Ms. Gustavson maintains active membership in the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution, the Recovery & Wellness Consortium and Narcotics Anonymous.
Ms. Gustavson attributes her success as an EMT to the unwavering support of her close friends and family, who have provided her with encouragement and guidance during moments of frustration. Additionally, she notes her capacity for persevering in the face of obstacles. Though she has had to work through the difficulties associated with PTSD, Ms. Gustavson recognizes how her experiences paved the way for helping others. She takes great satisfaction in utilizing her own history with mental health to assist others.
Outside of her career, Ms. Gustavson is a devoted wife and mother to two children. She enjoys spending her free time painting and doing crafts. Looking to the future, Ms. Gustavson still finds her work as an advanced EMT extremely rewarding and has no plans to stop. However, she is seeking ways to expand her voice and continue spreading her insights on substance abuse and mental health. In particular, Ms. Gustavson hopes to educate lawmakers on the reality of these issues and has started the process of working with the staff of a sitting senator. She aims to dispel the stigmas around mental illness and addiction while developing innovative approaches to treating these problems.
Contact Ms. Gustavson:
