Gabe Facka

Paramedic

Starting college at just 14 years old, San Juan College (SJC) graduate Gabe Facka took an unconventional path fueled by determination and a clear sense of purpose. After earning his General Education Diploma (GED), he balanced home responsibilities and enrolled at San Juan College. Attracted by the college’s affordability and proximity, Facka quickly found his direction in Emergency Medical Services (EMS).  “I needed a plan," he says. "I wanted something hands-on, helping people one-on-one and making a difference."

Facka earned his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Advanced EMT (AEMT) certifications at SJC before gaining real-world field experience. Motivated to advance, Facka returned to San Juan College to complete the Paramedic program, graduating in 2018. Today, he serves as an EMS Supervisor at San Juan Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and an adjunct EMS instructor at San Juan College.

Facka credits instructors like Jamie Lujan for not only fueling his desire to learn, but also to teach. “She made me want to pursue teaching,” he says. “It was clear she and the other instructors cared about student success. Teaching fuels my passion, and I love returning the same investment into students that was put into me.”

His advice to students: explore your options and persist. "When it feels impossible, keep pushing. There will be a moment when it makes sense."

Facka plans to continue teaching and growing in EMS. At the heart of it all is what drives him most: “I love being the calm in someone’s storm.”