Business Development and Public Relations
News Releases

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb 19, 2008
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Bailey, MBA, CMTE, Director of Business Development, Ph: 614-734-8027

MEDFLIGHT ANNOUNCES NEW BASE DIRECTOR IN NEW PHILADELPHIA

Tom Allenstein, RN, CMTE, Chief Clinical Officer of MedFlight of Ohio announces the appointment of James R. Houser, RN, EMT-P, CMTE as Base Director of MF8 in New Philadelphia overseeing MedFlight’s operations in eastern Ohio.

MedFlight of Ohio opened their eighth full time 24/7 helicopter base at Harry Clever Field in August 2008. MedFlight is a not-for profit air and ground critical care transport service based in Columbus, Ohio owned and operated by The Ohio State University, Ohio Health (Grant/Riverside Methodist Hospitals), and Akron General Medical Center in Akron, Ohio.

Houser comes to MedFlight from STAT MedEvac of Pennsylvania were he worked for the past seven years. He began working at STAT as an air medical communications specialist in STAT Comm in 2001. He then became a flight paramedic at the age of 22. Most recently, he worked as a business development coordinator and flight paramedic for STAT.

Jim has been in EMS for the last ten years, beginning his career as a volunteer in Jefferson County, Ohio. In 2007, he graduated from Belmont Technical College with his Associate Degree in Nursing and is a licensed Registered Nurse, and is presently earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University. He earned his certification as a Certified Medical Transport Executive from the Association of Air Medical Services in 2006 as well.

Jim and his wife Sarah, live in Steubenville with their children Madison and Marshal. Jim can be reached at the New Philadelphia base @ 877-633-9825 or by email at jhouser@medflight.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 6, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rod Crane, President/CEO, Ph: 614-734-8001

MEDFLIGHT OF OHIO ADDS MOBILE ICU BASE AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL EAST

MedFlight will have a new presence in the Downtown area through its official Mobile ICU base at The Ohio State University Hospital East. The service will begin Monday, September 10, with hours of operation from Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.  Requests for service will go through the MedFlight Communications Center and the service will be based in Hawthorne House at the OSU East Campus. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rod Crane, President/CEO, Ph: 614-734-8001

MEDFLIGHT OF OHIO & SMITH AMBULANCE ANNOUNCE PERMANENT HELICOPTER BY AUGUST 2007

Smith Ambulance President Robert L. Smith has worked with MedFlight of Ohio President Rod Crane since February, to permanently position a medical helicopter in New Philadelphia. By August 2007, MedFlight’s eighth 24-hour medical helicopter will be based at the New Philadelphia airport to serve the community and surrounding counties.

“We are extremely pleased to continue working with MedFlight to provide needed, life saving air medical transportation to the community. Having the resources of a helicopter and highly trained flight crew located in the area assures a rapid transport of critically injured and ill patients to trauma centers and specialty facilities” said Smith. “MedFlight is a highly respected company and we look forward to securing a permanent partnership that will assure quality air medical services to the area for many years to come. Our communities in Tuscarawas County are blessed with quality emergency medical services, outstanding hospitals and now a permanently based medical helicopter is another tremendous asset” said Smith.

Rod Crane, of MedFlight said “We have been honored to work with Smith Ambulance for the past four months to serve the trauma and critical care helicopter needs in this region.  Traditionally, we have served the region with MedFlight 4 from Coshocton for more than a decade. 

MedFlight of Ohio has been in business since 1995 and has helicopter bases in Columbus, Coshocton, Lodi, Allen Center, Wellston, McConnelsville, and recently in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Mike Mossor, Director of Operations at Smith Ambulance, will continue to work with MedFlight personnel, local 911 communications centers, and regional fire and EMS agencies to educate the community about this life saving medical resource. Furthermore, the agencies will team-up to offer safety based landing zone and value based pre-hospital education to the region.

Smith Ambulance Service has served the area since 1983 and operates stations in Dover, New Philadelphia, and Uhrichsville. Smith also owns Smith Ambulance of North East Ohio with stations in Wooster and Millersburg.

MedFlight’s Coshocton Ohio based helicopter will continue to provide alternate day basing at the New Philadelphia Airport until the new permanent helicopter arrives.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 4, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rod Crane, President/CEO, Ph: 614-734-8001

MEDFLIGHT OF OHIO FILLS VOID LEFT BY STAT MEDEVAC

Smith Ambulance President Robert L. Smith is announcing that an agreement has been made with MedFlight of Ohio to temporarily position a medical helicopter in New Philadelphia. A partnership agreement between STAT MedEvac of Pittsburgh and Smith Ambulance was terminated on December 23, 2006 by Stat MedEvac and talks began immediately with several other air medical providers.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with MedFlight to provide needed, life saving air medical transportation to the community. Having the resources of a helicopter and highly trained flight crew located in the area assures a rapid transport of critically injured and ill patients to trauma centers and specialty facilities” said Smith. “MedFlight is a highly respected company and we look forward to securing a permanent partnership that will assure quality air medical services to the area for many years to come. Our communities in Tuscarawas County are blessed with quality emergency medical services and outstanding hospitals and a locally based medical helicopter is another tremendous asset” said Smith.

Rod Crane, CEO of MedFlight states “It is an honor to work in partnership with Smith Ambulance to serve the trauma and critical care helicopter needs in this region.  We have served the region with MedFlight 4 from Coshocton for more than a decade.  We will now share MedFlight 4 while we evaluate the viability of placing a full time helicopter in New Philadelphia.”

MedFlight of Ohio has been in business since 1995 and has helicopter bases in Columbus, Coshocton, Lodi, Allen Center, Wellston, McConnelsville, and Portsmouth.

Mike Mossor, Director of Operations at Smith Ambulance, will be working closely with MedFlight personnel and the local 911 communications center to establish a quality communications system with all local emergency agencies. The immediate plan is to rotate the aircraft and crew every other day between the New Philadelphia base the Coshocton base until a permanent crew is assigned to New Philadelphia.

Smith Ambulance Service has served the area since 1983 and operates stations in Dover, New Philadelphia, and Uhrichsville. Smith also owns Smith Ambulance of North East Ohio with stations in Wooster and Millersburg.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Bailey: Ph: 614-734-8027

MEDICAL HELICOPTER DEDICATED AT LIFE

Two non-profit air medical services, HealthNet Aeromedical Services and MedFlight of Ohio, dedicated a new Eurocopter AS-350-B2 air medical helicopter at Life Ambulance's helicopter base on Union Street Friday.

With this dedication, both MedFlight and HealthNet will jointly support the new helicopter base in partnership with Life Ambulance to supply emergency medical air transports to regional hospitals using the HealthNet 4/MedFlight 7 helicopter.

This new partnership makes the nation's first jointly sponsored air medical helicopter, the companies announced at the dedication.

“On behalf of the citizens of Portsmouth and Scioto County, I'd like to welcome HealthNet and MedFlight to Portsmouth. It's a service that we're glad to have around here,” said Portsmouth Mayor James Kalb.

The new helicopter completed its first flight on Oct. 14. Before that date, MedFlight and HealthNet had been repositioning existing helicopters to the Portsmouth area on a rotating basis since June. “This is an exciting day for us,” said Clinton Burley, base manager of HealthNet's Huntington, W.Va, operation. “It's a culmination of a tremendous amount of work to bring air service to Scioto County, and the entire region.”

One of the key benefits of having this new helicopter, according to a statement released by HealthNet and MedFlight on Wednesday, is that it will provide rapid response to previously under- served counties - such as Scioto, Adams, Brown, and Highland counties in Ohio, as well as Lewis, Mason, and western Greenup counties in Kentucky.

A press release said that these counties have traditionally had to wait longer for emergency medical air services.

Located in the Portsmouth area, this new air medical service will be ideally placed to serve hospitals around the entire tri-state area, and of course, Southern Ohio Medical Center. “Today marks the culmination of a lot of work and effort of all the parties here and future work of this wonderful crew,” said Claudia Burchett, chief nursing officer and vice president of SOMC. “On behalf of Southern Ohio Medical Center, we are delighted to be a part of this, and to help be a part of bringing this service to our community.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Bailey: Ph: 614-734-8027; Clinton Burley: Ph: 304-526-2324. Mike Pistole: Ph: 740-354-5433

NEW AIR MEDICAL HELICOPTER SLATED FOR PORTSMOUTH, OHIO

Portsmouth, OHIO - An agreement has been reached between two non-profit air medical services and a regional ground ambulance provider to initiate 24-hour medical helicopter services in Portsmouth, Ohio. MedFlight of Ohio and HealthNet Aeromedical Services will jointly support the new helicopter base in partnership with Life Ambulance Service.

“This type of joint agreement is unprecedented in the air medical industry,” said Chip Sovick, HealthNet’s President and CEO. “The two air medical partner entities have a strong history of safety, quality and exceptional customer service. By combining efforts for the Portsmouth base with an established, communityfocused ambulance service we will be providing cost effective critical care transport services to the residents of southern Ohio, northeastern Kentucky and West Virginia.”

Rod Crane, President and CEO of MedFlight of Ohio, said, “By joining with HealthNet and Life, we can now offer additional services to the region. Both air medical organizations are strong non-profit entities that have a community focused mission that directly goes toward transporting patients. Our ambulance partner has a strong history of growth and active involvement in the communities they serve. he continued. “We search for new and innovative ways to meet our customers’ needs. This is an excellent example of the spirit that the partners share.”

A new AS350-B2 “A-Star” aircraft will be based in Scioto County by September 2006. However, improved access to air service in the Portsmouth area will come much sooner. “Beginning in June, MedFlight and HealthNet will temporarily re-position helicopters to the Portsmouth area on a rotating basis,” Crane said. “Both flight programs want to solidify our partnership with the surrounding community.”

Aviation services for the venture will be provided by Air Methods Corporation of Denver, Colorado. All aircraft pilots and mechanics will be employees of Air Methods. “The partners pride themselves on the recruitment and retention of high quality aviation professionals,” Sovick said. “The pilots all have thousands of hours of experience in helicopters and are afforded extensive initial and recurrent training. Safety in flight operations is our top priority.”

“This project is an estimated annual investment of $2 million in the community,” said Clinton Burley, Base Manager of HealthNet’s Huntington, W.Va., operation. “This makes a strong, regional economic impact.” HealthNet Aeromedical Services was formed in 1986 and has safely completed more than 45,000 patient missions. Headquartered in Charleston, W.Va., HealthNet operates four helicopter bases throughout West Virginia. Sponsor hospitals of the HealthNet system include Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston and West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown. HealthNet is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).

MedFlight of Ohio was formed in 1995 and operates six helicopters, five mobile ICU ambulances and two medically-configured airplanes. The company is governed by a consortium of hospitals including OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, and Akron General Medical Center. MedFlight is also the preferred provider of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. MedFlight of Ohio completes approximately 10,000 combined patient transports a year and is CAMTS accredited.

Life Ambulance Service was formed in 1985 and operates 76 ambulances and three Mobile Intensive Care Units. The privately held corporation is based in Portsmouth, Ohio, and operates emergency vehicles in Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia.

[QUESTION AND ANSWER GUIDE]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2005
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Bailey: Ph: 614-734-8027

MEDFLIGHT HELICOPTER BASE HOSTS COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

Allen Center, OHIO – MedFlight of Ohio, which currently provides critical care helicopter transportation services to the region, is hosting a Community Open House to celebrate their new hanger on Saturday, October 1 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Allen Center Base ( 22758 Wilbur Road , Marysville , Ohio ) to celebrate the opening of their hanger.

The surrounding community, including the general public, fire, EMS, and hospital professionals are invited to attend. The agenda will include a welcome from MedFlight, food and beverages, fun give-a-ways for children, base tours, and random raffle drawings as part of the activities. In addition, special MedFlight Commemorative wrist bands will be given to attendees on a first come, first serve basis. An RSVP is not required, but appreciated by calling Sam Kennedy at 614-734-8026

The new hanger will protect the helicopter so that it can respond faster to emergencies after adverse weather, and was made possible by community leaders in partnership with MedFlight. This helicopter serves the regional needs of physicians, their hospitals, regional EMS, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies for many years. MedFlight’s medical helicopters complete over 4,000 safe patient transports per year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2004
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Perkins PH: (740) 622-4294, Todd Bailey PH: 614-791-4400

COSHOCTON COUNTY EMS ASSISTS KATRINA STICKEN REGION

Coshocton , OHIO – Coshocton County EMS (CCEMS), has served the emergency medical response needs of Coshocton and surrounding counties for many years. Since Hurricane Katrina has struck, CCEMS has provided 911 coverage to Louisiana

On Sunday, September 4, three CCEMS partners lead by program director, Mike Perkins, departed to Louisiana to assist the region by providing pre-hospital care to patients in need of medical care. Today, three additional CCEMS crew members have departed to the region as part of a multi response effort. Additional teams will be provided based on future needs in Louisiana . 

All CCEMS partners who are part of the relief effort have received vaccinations, including Tetanus shots to protect the crews from conditions in the region.  Dr. Gwinn, CCEMS Medical Director and Coshocton County Hospital physician, is looking after the crew’s medical needs.   Hepatitis "A" shots were administered on arrival at the Louisiana command center along with an ID badge for security reasons.

According to Mike Perkins, “I can’t stress enough how much I appreciate what everyone is doing to help.  This deployment is not just about 15 CCEMS partners who have committed to go to Louisiana .  Every single CCEMS partner has offered to help in their own way and I truly appreciate what they are doing.” 

In addition to the relief effort, some partners are picking-up extra shifts, picking-up supplies, making phone calls, or just offering encouraging words to make sure current CCEMS services continue to operate normally in Coshocton County.

According to Perkins, “the situation is improving, but is still very grim.  Assisting the medical needs of people who have lost everything, reminds us of why we are here.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2005
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Bailey: Ph: 614-734-8027

MEDFLIGHT HELICOPTER BASE HOSTS COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

McConnelsville , OHIO – MedFlight of Ohio, which currently provides critical care air transportation services to the region, is hosting a Community Open House on Sunday, August 14 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Morgan County Regional Airport ( 975 E. Airport Road , McConnelsville , Ohio ) to celebrate the opening of the new Southeast Ohio community air medical helicopter.

The surrounding community, including the general public, fire, EMS , and hospital professionals are invited to attend. The agenda will include a welcome from Rod Crane (President and CEO of MedFlight), food and beverages, fun and games for children, base tours, and random raffle drawings for MedGear and helicopter rides will be included as part of the activities. In addition, special MedFlight Commemorative wrist bands will be given to attendees on a first come, first serve basis. An RSVP is not required, but appreciated by calling Sam Kennedy at 614-734-8026

For more than a decade, MedFlight has served Ohio with strategically located medical helicopters throughout the state. These helicopter bases have served the regional needs of physicians, their hospitals, regional EMS, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies for many years. The medical helicopters complete over 4,000 safe patient transports per year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2005
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Bailey: Ph: 614-734-8027

MEDFLIGHT MOBILE ICU BASE HOSTS COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

Valley View, OHIO – MedFlight of Ohio, which currently provides critical care air and ground transportation services to the region, is hosting a Community Open House on Wednesday, August 3 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at 5425 Warner Road , Valley View, Ohio to celebrate the opening of MedFlight’s new Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) base. This is the second MedFlight MICU base in Cleveland .

The surrounding community, including the general public, fire, EMS , and hospital professionals are invited to attend. The agenda will include a welcome from Rod Crane (President and CEO of MedFlight), food and beverages, fun and games for children, helicopter and MICU vehicle tours, and random raffle drawings for MedGear clothing and a helicopter ride will be included as part of the activities. In addition, special MedFlight Commemorative wrist bands will be given to attendees on a first come, first serve basis. An RSVP is not required, but appreciated, by calling Sam Kennedy at 614-734-8026

For more than a decade, MedFlight has served Ohio with strategically located medical helicopters, airplanes and MICU’s throughout the state. These MICU bases serve the regional needs of hospitals and their critical patients. The MICU’s complete approximately 3,700 safe patient transports per year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2004
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Bailey: Ph: 614-734-8027

MEDFLIGHT ESTABLISHES HELICOPTER BASE AT McCONNELSVILLE AIRPORT

McConnelsville , OHIO – MedFlight of Ohio, which currently provides critical care air and ground transportation services to the region, is selecting the Morgan County Regional Airport to be the new home of MedFlight’s 6th helicopter. MedFlight’s medical helicopter should be fully operational by the upcoming spring of 2005.

For more than a decade, MedFlight has served Ohio with 5 strategically located medical helicopters throughout the state. These helicopter bases have served the regional needs of physicians, their hospitals, regional EMS , fire departments, and law enforcement agencies for many years. The helicopters currently complete approximately 4,000 patient transports per year from existing bases.

Due to the increase in requests for patient transports by Southeast Ohio healthcare professionals, and MedFlight’s long standing commitment to these communities, MedFlight feels that it is time to offer them and their citizens a dedicated medical helicopter.

According to MedFlight President and CEO Rod Crane, “Our mission is simple, ‘to transport the critically ill.’ Southeastern Ohio has always been a strong partner in utilizing our services to do that. Increased helicopter requests for patient transport by the region over the last few years, provides a new avenue for us to respond to the community.”

Employees for the helicopter will be nurses and paramedics from the region, along with current MedFlight employees that are selected to work at this base. MedFlight is partnering with local businesses and agencies to create the new base. Some recent initiatives include the purchase of a building from the Morgan Local School District that will be located at the airport, and many additional services and products that will be purchased locally.

According to MedFlight’s Medical Director, Howard Werman, MD, “By locating the helicopter in the area, we will be closer to the patient and requestor, which will remove precious life saving minutes for trauma victims and a variety of other time critical medical conditions.”

MedFlight will continue to visit various hospitals and fire departments to provide ongoing education and increase local involvement. According to Malta & McConnelsville Fire Chief, Gary Woodward , "the value-added benefit is that this helicopter will help save lives in our community… we are extremely fortunate to have MedFlight 6 in McConnelsville.

MedFlight of Ohio is a not-for-profit, critical care transportation company jointly-owned by Grant/Riverside Methodist Hospitals and The Ohio State University Medical Center.  Akron General Medical Center is a sponsor member of MedFlight.

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