Salter's Journey in EMS and nursing
San Jacinto College nursing alumnus Shawn Salter has spent decades serving his community, saving lives, and mentoring future professionals.
Born and raised in Texas, Salter traces his passion for health care back to a family tragedy. While he was in high school, his mother was involved in a severe vehicle collision that left her with life-threatening injuries. Watching her recover and witnessing the care she received from medical professionals ignited his desire to help others.
"Seeing her try to rehab after that and receiving such dedicated care led me to want to help others," Salter said. "My passion now is helping people, no matter the circumstances."
In 1998, Salter enrolled in San Jac’s nursing program, drawn to its affordability, high success rates, and flexible schedule. At the time, he was already working as a flight paramedic with Memorial Hermann Life Flight, providing critical care to high-risk patients. Salter credits the College's small class sizes and approachable faculty for helping him succeed.
"Our nursing faculty and science professors were second to none," he said. "The individual attention made all the difference."
Salter graduated in May 2000, marking the start of a rewarding career combining nursing and emergency medical services. While at San Jac, he was honored with the prestigious Fondren Award, which recognized his excellence as a nursing student. The award, accompanied by a scholarship, helped him complete his education and launch his career.
"I never found out which of the nursing faculty nominated me for that award, but I'd like to give them a big shout-out," Salter said. "I value it greatly."
After graduation, Salter transitioned from flight paramedic to flight nurse, eventually rising to leadership roles. He served as the chief flight nurse and later the chief operating officer of San Antonio AirLIFE, a nonprofit air medical service. His expertise led to his appointment as chief executive officer before the program transitioned to private ownership.
Today, Salter is the chief administrative officer for CHRISTUS EMS, overseeing operations for ground ambulances and the CHRISTUS Flight for Life air medical program. His work involves managing teams that deliver critical care to patients across eight counties, providing state-of-the-art medical interventions in some of the most challenging scenarios.
Salter's contributions to emergency medicine extend beyond his professional roles. In 2024, he was appointed to the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council, where he uses his experience to help shape policies and improve care across Texas. He is a member of the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association and the International College of Advanced Practice Paramedics.
Additionally, Salter is a former committee member of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council and former Region 4 board member of the Association of Air Medical Services.
"The EMS and Trauma Advisory Council is made up of 17 individuals with varied expertise, from fire chiefs and stroke specialists to trauma program directors," he said. "Representing Texans and sharing insights on air medical transport is a tremendous honor."
Throughout his career, Salter has never lost sight of the human element in medicine.
Not every patient survives, but even in tragedy, we have the opportunity to bring light to families and provide compassion during their darkest moments.
Looking back, Salter fondly remembers his time at San Jac. Whether it was grabbing a cheap lunch at Mr. Gatti's pizza buffet before studying for exams or learning in clinical rotations at Houston's top hospitals, he credits the College with laying the foundation for his career.
"San Jac was the perfect fit for me," Salter said. "It gave me the tools and confidence to succeed."
Learn more about the San Jac nursing programs
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s.
