Lifestyle
MEMBERS
MICHAEL
GABRIELLI
Michael never thought he’d be one
of those guys who delivered a baby
because the mom couldn’t get to
the hospital on time. But he was,
and he did - twice in one day.
“I guess I got lucky,” laughs the 25-yearold, an advanced care paramedic who
grew up in Niagara Falls and has been
in the health care field since 2009.
An ACP is an emergency medical
responder who has received extra
training beyond primary care, and has
gained more experience, knowledge,
and skills in the field. They can
deliver more comprehensive care
to a patient, such as advanced life
support, intubation, IV therapy, chest
decompression; and can administer
approximately 20 different medications.
The pressures are great but
Michael thrives on it.
Being on the front lines is appealing
to Michael, who works with a primary
care paramedic. They co-ordinate
efforts with firefighters, police and
hospital personnel, often in minutes.
“You need to be able to think critically,
and think quickly,” notes Michael. “
A calm mentality...staying in control...
essentially controlling chaos and
making sense of it. You need to
be good with interpersonal skills
and you need to talk to people.”
While the job requires mental
acumen and the calm demeanor
that comforts people in difficult or
life-threatening situations, there are
physical requirements as well.
A patient may need to be lifted, moved,
and put into an ambulance. But patients
aren’t injured in easy locations someone may fall in a bathtub at home;
hikers might sprain an ankle on a steep
and winding Niagara gorge trail; a car
accident victim can land upside down.
Getting them up or out can’t always
be done in an ergonomic manner.
“That’s where fitness plays a big role
for me,” says Michael. “I need those
back and shoulder muscles because
the job’s like power lifting. The heavier
the person is, the more difficult is it.”
Michael’s fitness routine at White Oaks consists of weight training four
times a week, cardio twice a week, TRX classes and circuit training, and
squash for fun and relaxation. He also consults with physios who provide
assessments and workout plans so Michael can prevent injury. Working out
regularly is also a healthy stress reliever, something that Michael needs in
his high-pressure environment where tragedies often outnumber triumphs.
But there are those days, like two years
ago, when Michael encountered triumpha baby girl and boy, delivered healthy and
happy. Moms and babies all did great.
KATHRYN KORCHOK
KATHRYN KORCHOK IS A FREELANCE WRITER SPECIALIZING IN STORIES
ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, WELLNESS AND LIVING LIFE WITH
PASSION. SHE’S BEEN PUBLISHED IN MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND
MAGAZINES IN CANADA AND THE U.S. PLEASE CONTACT HER AT
[email protected]
fall 2013 | wo magazine | 31