In the Spotlight: Ronald Morehead

While Ronald Morehead has been an occupational health nurse at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) since 2021, he has been in the healthcare field more than 40 years.

He was a Navy medic from 1983 to 1993 and followed that by working as a paramedic at the Blue Grass (Kentucky) and Anniston (Alabama) Chemical Demilitarization facilities for 16 years.  He then worked at the CDP as an instructor for a short time before taking time off to earn his associate degree in nursing, which he received from nearby Gadsden State.

After earning his degree, Morehead worked in several emergency rooms and cardiac units before deciding to rejoin the CDP.

As an occupational health nurse, Morehead screens prospective students for any medical conditions which might limit or prevent them from training at the center. He also performs annual readiness physicals for employees who are involved in the CDP’s respiratory protection program.

“This job combines so much of what I’ve done throughout my career, like nerve agents, occupational health and physical exams,” Morehead said, adding that his favorite part of the job is interacting with the students and instructors.

“First responders and medical support services are a family. They are both a kind of brotherhood or sisterhood,” he said.