Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation recently recognized Jess French, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Instructor, during a retirement reception at the tribal complex in Tahlequah. French retired after dedicating 30 years of service to the Cherokee Nation.
Jess French takes a moment with Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Chief Joe Grayson. 
French began working with Cherokee Nation as a Community Health Representative (CHR) in 1976, and in 1984 became licensed as an Intermediate EMT and began working on the ambulance at Hastings Indian Medical Center.
"Cherokee Nation was going through a transition from a training program to actually starting an ambulance service in the early 1980's," said French. "They needed Indian medics so I decided to attend training and become licensed."
After working several years as a medic on the ambulance, French decided to go into the teaching of the EMS course.
French began teaching Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid classes, along with assisting with First Responder training as well.
"Jess has been a very good and dependable employee," said Jimmy Summerlin, training program supervisor for Cherokee Nation EMS. "He has always been willing to go above and beyond to help EMS and he will be greatly missed."
French is a resident of Tahlequah and is married to Ruth and has three children, Mark and Jason of Tahlequah and Tracie Morris of Lawrence, Kansas.
"I've enjoyed my time with everyone here at the Cherokee Nation and serving our people," French said. "It is like we are a family."
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |