Assistant Professor Kimberly A. Altavesta M.Ed., NRP, BHSE, NCEE
It is with deep and profound sorrow that we share the sudden passing of Kimberly “Kim” Altavesta of Woburn, MA during the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the young age of 38.
Kim was born January 14th, 1982 in Winchester, MA to Judy Altavesta. Kim was the first curly-haired joy in Judy's life, adding plenty of sarcasm, passion, courage, strength and character in everything she put her mind to.
Born in Winchester, Kim was raised in Woburn. She attended Arlington Catholic High School, graduating in 2000 at the top of her class. While in high school, Kim simultaneously attended Northeastern University’s EMT program where she became a certified EMT. She continued her education at Brandeis University where she attained a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. She found the time to simultaneously attend Northeastern University, where she attained her Paramedic certification. During Kim’s time at Brandeis she worked as an EMT with their campus emergency services, BEMCo. Kim was also a Resident Assistant in campus housing while a student at Brandeis. After graduating from Brandeis in 2005, she began working as a paramedic at Cataldo Ambulance Service. There, she touched many lives, both patients and coworkers. She trained new EMTs and Paramedics ensuring that they knew the importance of their role in healthcare and how to do it safely, effectively, and with honor. In 2011, after years of field experience as a paramedic, she started her journey as an educator, accepting a position at Mass Bay Community College as an Associate Professor. She quickly climbed the ranks and earned the title of Department Chair of the Paramedicine Program. Kim was able to transform the program and obtain accreditation, making it the well-respected program it is today. Kim poured herself into her work and was always trying to better the Mass Bay Paramedicine program and the field of emergency medicine. She has been known to work relentlessly, all hours of the day and night, for the program and her students. Kim spoke at national conferences throughout the country. Kim was the future of emergency medicine, helping educate and prepare new EMTs and Paramedics for the real world. She prided herself on her accomplishment of revolutionizing patient simulation and the use of technology that could apply in real practice. She studied the science of simulation in the classroom and achieved challenging certifications in simulation subject matter. In 2013, Kim Graduated from Framingham State University with her Master of Education and was about to begin a Doctoral program.
Her impact on the world was vast and not limited to family and friends. She was a woman of integrity and kindness, who accomplished so much in her short life. Her tact, wit, and incredible command of English had her assisting all of her friends and family with writing projects, and proof-reading of anything that was going to be published. Her spirit animal was the owl, which is symbolic of her wisdom and independence.
As a paramedic, Kim brought incredible skill, passion, and knowledge to every patient she cared for. She excelled as a highly respected educator, and her incredible talents were present in every student she taught. She challenged new providers revealing their hidden strengths and mentored them to become the best. She also challenged herself and continued her education at every opportunity. She was successful in everything that she started and poured her soul into her academics and her career. She was innovative with her lesson plans and introduced many new techniques to EMS education which were accepted, adopted, and recognized throughout the country. She presented at many conferences bringing new teaching styles into curriculums of programs coast to coast.
Kim loved to travel. A favorite destination was Walt Disney World where she spent many family vacations. She enjoyed the company of close friends and family and would always be ready to drop what she was doing to share memories with them. Kim was the proud “mother” to a beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever, Abby. Kim and Abby were inseparable and were two of a kind. She also loved her two cats, Chimera and Jake, and loved babysitting her sister’s two dogs, Rocco and Barney. She loved her uncle’s German Shephard, Heineken, as well, and spoke so fondly of all her “fur babies”.
Family was a very important part of Kim’s life, and she greatly enjoyed her family traditions. She absolutely loved her niece, Daniella, and while out shopping would never overlook children’s sections of stores to bring something home for her. She would share photos of her niece with everyone she knew and was so proud of her. She was proud of her Italian heritage and would share her homecooked recipes and traditions with her friends. Kim loved her mother, sister, niece, uncle, godmother and late grandmother, as well as her extended family and vast community of friends.
Kim is survived her mother, Judy, of Woburn, a sister, Christina Benoit and her husband Matthew, of Woburn. She is further survived by her cherished niece, Daniella Benoit, her dear uncle, Leonard “Lennie” Sortino, of Woburn, and her devoted yellow Labrador, “Abby”, who has been by her side for the last 14 years. Kim will always be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.
In light of the current restrictions due to COVID-19, funeral services are strictly private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kim’s memory may be made to the MassBay Community College Foundation Scholarship Fund in her name to continue her mission of helping paramedicine students achieve success. Tax deductible donations in her name can be made online at www.massbay.edu/give or a check made payable to the MassBay Foundation can be mailed to MassBay Community College Foundation, 50 Oakland St, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.
Kim’s name will be honored at the National EMS Memorial in Washington, DC out of respect for her dedication and service to the EMS community. Many other tributes honoring her are planned in her memory.