Emergency Health Sciences student awarded diploma posthumously

By Kate Hunger 

Asante Sebastian Contreras, a student in the Department of Emergency Health Sciences Paramedic Certification Program, died in a traffic accident one week before he was to have completed the program.

The accident occurred as Contreras was driving home May 3 after finishing his shift as an emergency medical technician for an ambulance service in San Antonio. He had been scheduled to finish his practicum testing on May 4, followed by his final examinations. 

Contreras’ classmates and EHS faculty requested that he be awarded his EMT-Paramedic certificate posthumously. UT Health San Antonio President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, approved the request, and the University delivered Contreras’ diploma to his family in Del Rio on May 6, said Lance Villers, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Health Sciences.

Contreras’ dream was to become a paramedic.

“Asante was a natural caregiver with a ready smile, always willing to lend a helping hand,” Villers said. “The EMS profession will never fully realize the loss of Asante's potential and dedication.”