PatientCare’s Chief Operating Officer Chuck Babson has more than 35 years of experience with EMS.
He says his interest in the field began when he grew up with family members who worked in healthcare and felt the need to help people.
“My mom and my grandmother were both nurses, so I had some exposure,” he said.
“I got into EMS as a hobby.” he added. “I was a volunteer, became a paramedic through a program at a local community hospital and transitioned to a paid position as a paramedic”
Originally from Shelton, CT, he earned a degree as a biomedical engineer, but his career path took a different turn.
“I never worked a day in engineering,” he said.
His volunteer work in EMS became his calling.
For 35 years, he worked for New Haven Ambulance, one of the founders of American Medical Response, or AMR. New Haven Ambulance partnered with three other companies around the country to found it in 1992. The company is now part of Global Medical Response.
Chuck was with AMR from 1986 to 2021, leaving as regional vice president of operations.
“The EMS bug — once you’ve been bit, it’s hard to get away,” he said of his career, adding that while he enjoys what he is now doing, he misses the privilege of providing care directly to patients.
“The thing I miss most is being able to make a difference by giving hands-on care. Now I find that I have to make a difference by helping the caregivers and making sure they have the tools they need,” he said.
When Chuck is not working, he enjoys traveling, target shooting and riding his motorcycle.
“My wife Carol and I frequently go on rides,” he said, noting that they recently participated in the 25th anniversary Connecticut United Ride held on August 30 in honor of first responders and victims of 9/11.
He has four children, three of which followed his roots into healthcare, and one in IT, a 13-year-old golden retriever and a 5-year-old grandson, who keeps him on his toes.
“That’s my hobby, keeping up with my grandson,” he said.
Chuck said he’s excited to be part of PatientCare as it enters a new period of growth.
“This is an awesome opportunity for us to grow PatientCare into something unique and best-in-class,” he said.
“I’ve helped grow companies several times before, and to be part of this leadership team — the brands that PatientCare is currently operating with and all our caregivers and employees — is an amazing opportunity. I think we have a great foundation to make something special.”
