Zekia Reed

Meet Zekia Reed, a highly skilled Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professional who has been serving her community for more than 18 years. Her journey in EMS began as a dispatcher, where she found her passion for helping those in need. Fueled by her passion, she expanded her skills and became an EMT, paramedic, field training officer (FTO) and now serves as an operation supervisor.

During her EMS career, Zekia has acquired the valuable skill of observing things differently from various perspectives, which helps her react quickly and effectively in emergencies.

Zekia proudly holds the distinction of being the first African American female paramedic in Illinois under the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines for Region 4. Her achievement is a testament to her dedication, hard work and perseverance in pursuing her goals.

For those wanting to pursue a career in EMS, Zekia’s advice is to go for it. By doing so, you can bring unique perspectives and skills that could help create a more inclusive and responsive EMS system. She believes that diversity is essential in this field and plays a crucial role in supporting our communities.

Thank you, Zekia, for your hard work and dedication to the communities we serve. We are proud to have you as part of the GMR family and look forward to your continued contributions to our mission of providing care to the world at a moment’s notice.

"With diverse perspectives come new ideas and approaches to deal with emergency situations, which can ultimately help save more lives." Zekia Reed