03/05/2026
🚨Read about our First Responder of the Month, Yemin Poovanthodi!🚨
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When Yemin Poovanthodi first considered joining Montgomery EMS, he wasn’t looking to pad a résumé or add another extracurricular. He was searching for purpose. “I was sitting in a lecture one day thinking about what I could do besides academics that would actually feel fulfilling,” Yemin recalled. At the time, he was working in a research lab, immersed in scientific discovery. But something was missing. “My work didn’t have the direct impact on people that I had hoped for.” In a moment of honesty, he turned to a friend sitting beside him and shared his dilemma. The response was immediate: look into the local volunteer first aid squad—Montgomery EMS (MEMS). Despite having lived in Montgomery for some time, Yemin admitted he knew little about the organization. The more he read, the more certain he became. “I realized I had to apply. It was an opportunity to give back to my community, make a real impact, and align with my goals.”
Becoming an EMT, however, was no small undertaking. The transition from classroom theory to real-world emergencies tested him in ways he hadn’t anticipated. “As a student, I was used to thinking critically about difficult problems,” he said. “But doing that in an emergency—under immense pressure and time constraints—is completely different.” The stakes are higher, the clock moves faster, and the decisions matter deeply. Yemin credits the squad for helping him grow into the role. “It required skills I had never needed before and pushed me to strengthen the ones I thought I had mastered. But I was determined to improve, and the members of MEMS supported me every step of the way.” One call, in particular, affirmed that he had made the right choice. “We were paged out like usual, and while we were treating a patient, I had this feeling that the family looked familiar,” he said. A week later, while attending Friday prayer with his father, a man approached him. “He told me his father was doing well, thanks to our efforts that night.” The encounter was brief but powerful. “That moment solidified the impact my work at MEMS could have. It was everything I had hoped for when I joined.”
Outside of EMS, Yemin is a student at Rutgers University studying cell biology and neuroscience. His academic curiosity extends beyond the classroom. He conducts research on traumatic brain injuries in the neurology ward at Hackensack Meridian JFK, exploring potential peptide treatments. Balancing a demanding academic schedule, research responsibilities, and EMS shifts requires discipline. “It can be very challenging,” he admitted. “I’ve had to become extremely intentional with my time. I set aside specific blocks for academics and plan for contingencies so I can stay ahead.” In other words, every hour counts. Yet even with a full plate, Yemin has found ways to give back within MEMS itself. In addition to running shifts, he now works closely with the squad’s cadet program. “I wanted to give back to the organization that has done so much for me,” he said. “Working with the cadets, making sure they have the resources to succeed and grow into EMTs who can serve the community—that’s really meaningful.” For Yemin, MEMS is more than volunteer service. It is a bridge between science and service, between learning and leading, and between intention and impact.
