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Veteran paramedic, instructor dies after cancer battle

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EMS Heroes Article

January 31, 2012

Veteran paramedic, instructor dies after cancer battle

Mary Koskovich was co-director, board member and consultant for Stanford School of Medicine International EMS Education

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Mary Jane Arlene Hoeflich of Yosemite/Palo Alto, Calif., died on Thursday evening, Jan. 26, in Santa Clara, Calif., after a long battle with cancer that began in September of 2005.

Born in San Gabriel, California, to her mother from Thailand, Som Jit Wanalee, and her American father, Jay Alvin Green, on June 26, 1970.

Mary graduated from paramedic school in 1991, become a paramedic preceptor in 1993, worked for various 911 agencies and went on to teach and administrate paramedic programs in 1997. She was tenured faculty and director of the paramedic program at Foothill College, worked for CA EMSA as an administrator for Paramedic national exams, served as a paramedic expert witness to numerous law firms, and was an independent contractor creating pre-hospital education courses. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from SFSU in 2006 while being treated with chemotherapy for her first bout with cancer and went on to attain her master’s degree in applied anthropology Jan. 25, 2012, from SJSU.

Mary was co-director, board member and consultant for Stanford School of Medicine International EMS Education. She traveled to India and Nepal to establish the first pre-hospital emergency response ambulance agencies and schools. She was published in the Hallmark, Journal of Emergency Medical Services, Pre-hospital and Disaster Medicine, Practicing Anthropology and Academic Emergency Medicine.

She was an avid outdoor adventurer. Mary traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Utah, Nevada and New York to rock-climb and explore. She chose to live out her days in Yosemite because she wanted to be with Jack.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jack; her brother, Jayson & Luke; her sister Emma; her mother Jackie; and her father, Jay; and her nieces, Rochelle, Colleen, Meghan, and Gabby, her aunt and uncle, Susanne & Paul; as well as many, many devoted friends.


Comments
The comments below are member-generated and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EMS1.com or its staff.
Steve Whitehead Steve Whitehead Tuesday, January 31, 2012 2:27:02 PM I was privileged to have Mary as my paramedic partner for several years in Bakersfield, CA, early in her career. We stayed friends through the years. Mary was one of those people you stay friends with. She was a gift to emergency services in so many ways. Thorough out her battle with cancer she never begrudged her illness or why she was tasked with carrying the burden of the disease. She soldiered on and she never gave up trying to find some version of wellness that fit her life. She climbed El Capitan on chemo. She was beautiful. She was amazing. I'm so glad to have her as a friend and I'm going to miss her terribly.
Ed Whitehead Ed Whitehead Tuesday, January 31, 2012 6:56:17 PM Sorry to hear of Mary's passing. I know she was your special friend. She was far too young. Let's hope we can make some progress towards defeating this disease soon.
Kenny Barend Kenny Barend Thursday, February 02, 2012 8:58:25 AM Mary you will be missed. Jack if there is anything I can do just call. EMS refresher's will not be the same with Mary's smile and dedication to the profession.
Bonica Jones Bonica Jones Thu Feb 2 09:00:14 PST 2012 Sorry to hear.
Jack Surgtech Jack Surgtech Wednesday, February 29, 2012 6:16:18 PM Just heard the news about Mary. We worked together at Hall Ambulance, AMR and NCTI, as well as Foothill. We were also roommates on a couple occasions in Bakersfield and Hayward. Mary was the best paramedic I had the honor of knowing. She could always teach me something awesome. I will always remember Mary as one of the best friends I had in this life. The world is a lesser place without her. Although we lost touch the past several years I always wondered what MK was up to. Sad to hear she was taken out of this world so young. Peace to you chick. May the next time around be as rewarding as I'm sure it will. You generated some good Karma.
Marsha Farrington Marsha Farrington Saturday, April 14, 2012 6:59:05 PM Mary was my paramedic partner in Bakersfield at Hall Ambulance, while I was going through paramedic school...boy, did we have fun! She was a great partner, and a good friend. I am deeply saddened by her passing. RIP, Mary K!
David Perez David Perez Tuesday, April 17, 2012 12:11:19 PM Thanks for sending this to me Dora.. Mary was an amazing person from the first time I met her back in '86.. when she was working at 7/11 on Real and Stockdale Hwy.. I'm so glad I got to know her.. work with her.. and hang out with her.. and be a part of her life.. I lost touch with her when she left Bakersfield... and like many others always wondered what became of her... she was somebody who could do just about anything she set out to do... and those who knew her know what I'm talking about.. The news of her passing deeply saddens me and my prayers go out to her family and husband, Jack.. Mary you will be missed... Our memories of you will live forever with all of us you've touch for letting us be part of your life... RIP Mary K :(
Meaghan Ashley Gurbina Meaghan Ashley Gurbina Thursday, May 03, 2012 9:10:05 PM Mary was my aunt. I will dearly miss her she was verg close to me and no matter what i will i always think about her. Just keep her memory alive. She was like a 2nd mother to me. I didnt get to say my last goodbye but she knows exactly how i feel shes my guardian angel. <3 1.26.12
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