Flourishing on the Frontline: exploring what helps paramedics thrive

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Paramedics are no strangers to trauma. But one Royal Roads student wanted to understand something different: why some paramedics thrive despite it.

For Paige Mason, that question sparked a journey of research, leadership and transformation. Driven by curiosity and a desire to create change, she enrolled in Royal Roads University’s Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program.

“I loved the idea of interdisciplinary studies because I have a lot of interests and I'm very curious about a lot of things. I found being able to choose courses from different areas and create my own kind of degree was really beneficial to me.”

Mason’s thesis, Paramedic Flourishing at Work: A Way Forward, explored what helps paramedics stay healthy and inspired in one of the most challenging professions. Instead of focusing solely on burnout and PTSD, she examined strength-based factors like workplace connection, opportunities for growth and organizational support.

"While we're witness to a lot of tragedy and really difficult circumstances, I found myself feeling a lot of joy and meaning from my job. I was curious why. We know some paramedics are thriving—what keeps them there? What helps them flourish?"

One key takeaway from her thesis was the importance of connection.

"Being part of a team, having a sense of mattering in the community and finding roles that aligned with their identity as paramedics—those were critical to flourishing."

Mason completed a large mixed-methods research project, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

"It was quite a challenge," she says. "But I’m so happy I took the time to do the project that I did and to share these meaningful stories."

Royal Roads’ flexible, blended learning model allowed Mason to continue working full time as a frontline paramedic with the City of Ottawa while completing her degree. Mason describes a pivotal two-week residency in Health Leadership, where many of her classmates were leading provincial COVID-19 responses.

“We’d come together to work on group projects,” she says, “and they would talk about the massive challenges they faced, while I was sharing the challenges of being a frontline paramedic. It gave me a really interesting perspective and I learned a lot about leadership.”

That experience helped Mason develop her own leadership philosophy, one she continues to follow today.

“Leadership is really about learning—about ourselves, about others and about our capacity to grow,” she says. "I’ve always tried to model the way. Research and learning are powerful ways to make change from the frontline."

As a member of the Tyendinaga Mohawk First Nation, Mason says she’s proud to add her voice to the field.

“More Indigenous representation in paramedics and in research is always needed,” she says. “I hope it’s empowering for those around me to see and I look forward to exploring more research and possibly more education.”

Mason’s research is already reaching a global audience, with her findings presented at major conferences in Canada and abroad, including an international event in Ireland. The impact of her work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In October 2024, Mason received an unexpected honour when she was awarded the Victoria Foundation's Rachel and Ernest Fox Legacy Award, a $25,000 prize that honours Royal Roads graduates who demonstrate courage and a vision for transformation.

"I had just come back from a run when I saw the email," Mason says. "I was shaking, calling my family and my husband. It was such a surprise—and it really validated all the work and effort that went into my research."

For Mason, the award was a powerful affirmation of her work.

"This award bolstered my pride in the work," she says. "It gives me the chance to share the stories of paramedics who are thriving, and to offer a picture of hope for the future of paramedicine."

Looking ahead, Mason plans to continue expanding her paramedic scope of practice, sharing her research and pursuing further graduate studies in occupational well-being.

"A lot of people think research isn’t for them—that it’s for academics," she says. "But paramedic research should be done by paramedics. We need to make research more accessible to frontline staff so they feel empowered to ask questions and lead change."

When asked what advice she would give to future students, Mason says, "Ask yourself what gives you life—and find more of that. Learn from those around you. Never stop asking questions."

That spirit of curiosity and growth is exactly what the Victoria Foundation's Rachel and Ernest Fox Legacy Award is designed to support.

Rachel and Ernest Fox were lifelong learners who believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives. When they left their estate to the Victoria Foundation, they asked that it be used to support post-secondary students through interest-free loans—an innovative idea at the time. In 2009, the Victoria Foundation partnered with Royal Roads to launch the Rachel and Ernest Fox Loan Program, the first of its kind in Canada. The Legacy Award, established later, recognizes graduates who demonstrate the capacity to make a profound impact locally or globally.

“The Victoria Foundation is honoured to carry out Rachel and Ernest Fox’s legacy of dedication to lifelong learning and to see this reflected in the inspiring pursuits of the Legacy Award recipients,” says Sara Neely, senior director of philanthropic services at the Victoria Foundation.

For Mason, receiving the Legacy Award is helping to amplify her message far beyond her original research.

"This opportunity allows me to share research that could make a difference nationally and internationally. Education has a ripple effect—it touches others and can create real change," she says. “There's a lot of other things that I'm curious about, and this award makes that possible.”

At Royal Roads, we’re proud to support graduates like Paige Mason, who embody the courage to transform the world.

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program.