Operation Life Marks 30th Anniversary With Banquet

April 23, 2005

April 23, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - A number of DePauw University alumni are cited and quoted in a story in Greencastle's Banner-Graphic previewing tonight's 30th anniversary dinner for Operation Life, the non-profit ambulance/paramedic service for Putnam County. The newspaper states, "The formation of Operation Life in 1974 was due to a group of DePauw students that expanded to a community effort and led to the current organization."

Kraig Kinner, the executive director of Operation Life and 1992 graduate of DePauw University, tells the paper, "It is really amazing that so many people keep in touch with a former employer. We have over 300 former employees that we track and have current information on. It really shows the passion for Operation Life that our former members share."

The article notes that at least 14 physicians began their careers at OL. David Allaben, a physicians assistant and 1982 DePauw graduate, says, "In addition to my career development, I am accountable to Operation Life for teaching me to be a compassionate healthcare provider and for exposing the rewards obtained from serving your community. Operation Life was influential in my personal growth as well. It helped shape my value system, impacting my role as a parent, my relationship with my friends and family, and my current involvement in society. I am grateful to have been part of Putnam County Operation Life and to those who were important in shaping who I am today."

Now an emergency physician in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1992 DePauw alumna Dr. Sara (Ratliff) Brown says Operation Life "changed my life in many ways. Most importantly, PCOL gave me a passion for medicine and changed my career plans."

More DePauw alumni are quoted in the story, which can be accessed in its entirety at the newspaper's Web site.

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