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In 2017, I received an invitation to replace a DARTS board member representing Fairview Health Services and become a new representative on the board. As an out-of-state transplant, I hadn’t even heard of DARTS prior to being invited by my coworker to take a seat at the table. Now, 7 years later I am still a member of this great organization’s board. I am happy to represent in every capacity available – including writing this blog post!
I have been a Paramedic for more years that I care to admit at this point. When I first heard about DARTS, I started researching who they are and what they do – and realized how much good they were doing in the community – and it was work that impacted my field, too. I’ve seen things that have driven home how important an organization like DARTS is in the community – and I have watched them adapt over the last 7 years to fit the needs of then and now. After all, back when I first started on the board, the LOOP bus routes were only just beginning in a couple communities, and now they are long-standing staples in 5 communities on a bi-weekly or weekly basis!
Without services provided by DARTS, many individuals could be forced into living situations that are less than ideal and perhaps even unsafe. Helping families find the individualized services they need is so undervalued. Many times, older caregivers do not know where to find the help they need, and DARTS is able to do just that by creating connections.
In the past 7 years, I have watched the organization adapt to face new and interesting challenges. With the ongoing rise in technology, Tech Buddies was formed to keep older adults connected. As the makeup of Dakota County has changed, DARTS has added a Spanish-speaking social worker to the team to better connect to new populations. It has been an honor to sit on the board as these changes have been brought to us and to watch the team grow to meet new needs in the area.
DARTS fills an important gap in the communities that I have time and time again seen a need for. Assisting the aging population in remaining in their homes (if they desire to do so) is so important. As we look to the future, the average age of our population continues to grow, making these services more valuable than ever.
These past 7 years have come with personal challenges, which has made my time on the board challenging. I am grateful for DARTS’ adaptability due to my own family needs, as they adjust to allow individuals to volunteer as much or as often as they are able. When there isn’t spare time, they make sure there are different ways to help. Whether it be financial donations, donations of time, or donations of intellect, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. I look forward to serving in some capacity for years to come. I can’t wait to see what changes and adaptations come in the next 7 years.
Tom Edminson serves as Chief of EMS for M Health Fairview, responsible for the system wide ambulance, wheelchair van, emergency medical dispatch services, EMS education and vehicle services support operations. He brings more than 25 years of EMS and leadership experience to the team. A Critical Care Paramedic by background, he has held multiple positions throughout the industry over the last 25+ years, more recently serving as Vice President of Operations for a multi-state EMS organization. Tom holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in leadership. Dedicating his life to helping others has been his mindset.
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