Essex County Schools of Technology celebrates Hackensack Meridian Health, based in Paramus, as its 2025 Business Partner of the Year. Hackensack Meridian Health has been an invaluable partner to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program at Essex County Newark Tech High School, demonstrating a deep and sustained commitment to preparing students for success in one of the most critically needed fields in health care. Hackensack Meridian Health professionals help prepare students with the skills, confidence and real-world understanding needed to excel as emergency medical technicians.
Each year, 10 students participate in the EMT program at Essex County Schools of Technology’s Newark Tech High School, and every cohort benefits directly from Hackensack Meridian Health’s mentorship, career advisement and professional expertise. From exam preparation to guidance on pathways within the medical field, health system professionals have helped shape a program that not only prepares students for certification but also connects them to meaningful employment opportunities and long-term career growth.
Although the EMT program at Essex County Newark Tech officially launched three years ago, Hackensack Meridian Health’s support began much earlier. For at least five years, the health system worked with the district to help build the foundation of the program and secure necessary approvals from the New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Education. Such early and ongoing involvement reflects Hackensack Meridian Health’s long-standing belief in the importance of expanding access to health care career pathways in Essex County.
“It is our ultimate mission that Essex County Newark Tech’s EMT program will not only fulfill a demand in the health care profession but will also help to cultivate a pipeline of health care professionals in Essex County and the State of New Jersey,” said Dr. Cathleen DelaPaz, director of Career and Technical Education Academies for Essex County Schools of Technology. “We are extremely grateful to our partners at Hackensack Meridian Health for their commitment to ensuring our students are prepared for being successful EMTs and medical professionals. The mentorship, career guidance and genuine care about the success of our students is what makes this partnership so special.”
“Our partnership with Newark Tech is a model for career and technical education—collaborative, community-driven and focused on real-world impact,” said Debbie Quintana, manager at Hackensack Meridian Health. “Together, we are equipping EMT students with the skills, confidence and clinical readiness to step into critical roles across the health care system. This partnership is more than a pipeline—it is a shared commitment to the future of public health and workforce development. Our partnership ensures that EMT students don’t just learn—they lead. Together, we are building a workforce that is ready, resilient and rooted in community,”
