"Treat the patient as if they were your mother, father, or child."
Merry J. McSwain, BSN, MSN, (ret.) ACNP
McSwain Trauma Education Project
Executive Director
McSwain Charitable Trust – Trustee
Merry J. McSwain fell in love with EMS as a teenager in the early-80’s. She began her career as an EMT-Ambulance at the age of 18 and EMT-Paramedic at 21. She worked the streets for more than 10 years, primarily for the New Orleans Health Department – EMS, 911 third-service for Orleans Parish.
Ms. McSwain attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Master’s Degree Nurse Practitioner in Acute Critical Care. Merry was employed by Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, La for the majority of her nursing career. With her unique experience and insight as an EMT, bedside nurse and advanced practitioner, Merry appreciated the disconnect between EMS and hospital staff. As EMS Liaison, she worked diligently to improve these intwined relationships by developing and implementing policies and procedures, performance metrics and process improvements inclusive of EMS agencies and hospital departments.
Merry knew first-hand her father’s passion for critical care surgery, EMS, the trauma patient and his dedication to improve outcomes was second to none. She is privileged to honor his passion and continue his legacy through the McSwain Trauma Education Project.
She also serves on the boards of the National EMS Museum and New Orleans EMS Foundation.