Best Practice Medicine's AEMT program is highly regarded for its rigor, immersive hand-on instruction, and leading passing rates on the NREMT National Exam. Our comprehensive program is designed to prepare you to be an exceptional AEMT. Our course includes in depth exploration of body systems and anatomy, the fundamentals of care for trauma patients, investigation into medical emergencies, guest lectures from subject matter experts, live and hands-on emergency operations practice, and so much more!

We are crazy passionate about what we do. Best Practice Medicine instructors include current and former critical care helicopter team nurses and paramedics, emergency room physicians, ski patrollers, firefighters, ER nurses, a former NOLS instructor, and a former Air Force Pararescue Paramedic assistant program director-Instructor.

Instructor (s)

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Abbie Miller

MedEd Instructor

Abbie is a paramedic who grew up in Bull Lake (near Troy, MT) and is currently a Captain/Engine Boss at Bull Lake Rural Fire District, as well as a member of Bull Lake/Troy Volunteer ambulance. She also works as a medic for Evergreen Fire Rescue in Kalispell. During the summer months Abbie spends most of her time on an engine fighting wildland fires. Abbie is passionate about her work and loves the technical and physical aspects of the job. She also enjoys interacting with the public and coworkers.

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John Thomson

Senior Education and Flathead Campus Manager

John was born and raised in the Flathead Valley. He joined Evergreen Volunteer fire department (now Evergreen Fire Rescue) until his calling became evident and he joined Columbia Falls Volunteer Ambulance Association (now Three Rivers EMS) in 2001. Beginning as a First Responder Ambulance and transitioning to an EMT in 2002, eventually obtaining endorsements and an Advanced EMT license in 2012. In 2014 John graduated from FVCC with an AAS in Paramedicine, obtaining his license, followed by his Critical Care certification in 2015. In the fall of 2016 John taught EMT courses for FVCC until December of 2018. Finding a love for teaching, and following a brief sabbatical, John joined the Best Practice Medicine team in July of 2019.

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Terri Shively

Medical Education Instructor

Terri is a Simulation Team Specialist assigned to the Western Team in Montana. Terri is a native of Montana and has lived and worked in EMS all over the state. Receiving her degree in Emergency Medical Services in Great Falls, Montana she worked for a local ambulance service while obtaining her paramedic degree. Shortly after school, she was invited to assist owners that purchased an ambulance service from the local hospital in Hamilton, Montana. She was given the title of Director of Operations, responsible for ambulance response and personnel for four cities of the Bitterroot Valley. In 2004, she moved up to Flathead County and served as a Paramedic/Firefighter at Big Mountain Fire for 10 years. She was awarded opportunities to serve on various services such as the A.L.E.R.T air medical transport program based out of Kalispell Regional Hospital where she spent 11 years as a flight medic and the Evergreen Fire Department where she still works as a Paramedic/Firefighter.

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