Since then, the northern Colorado air ambulance
service has flown more than 30,000 missions without incident and has been
nationally recognized for its safety record and dedication to the communities
they serve.
With helicopters stationed in Greeley, Boulder and Akron, Med
Evac – known as AirLife of Greeley in its earlier days -- provides
around-the-clock emergency response and medical transport of adult and
pediatric patients in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas.
Over the years, the air ambulance service has saved trauma
patients injured by auto accidents, snow-mobile turnovers and oil-well explosions
as well as those experiencing heart attacks and strokes in remote locations.
With helicopters that can go as fast as 150 miles an hour,
stocked with equipment such as ventilators, cardiac monitors, medical oxygen,
IV pumps and medications, Med Evac nurses and paramedics can provide
life-saving care when seconds count.
“Providing a safe, rapid and high-quality response is key to
helping those patients in need,’’ said Joe Darmofal, program director. “And in
remote, rural areas where medical facilities can be several hours away by car,
we provide an essential alternative. It’s been an honor for us to provide
excellent medical care and transport from our bases in northern Colorado.
Also, Med Evac’s team of
specially trained nurses and paramedics has helped deliver and care for high-risk
mothers and their newborns. Med Evac has flown transplant patients to receive
life-saving organ donations and delivered COVID-19 patients to hospitals that
had beds for them.
“Yes, we do it all,’’ says Chip Brownlee, a paramedic who has
been with Med Evac since 1987. Brownlee remembers one time where he spent the
night camped out on a mountain with a young accident victim who couldn’t be
moved until the next day.
“It’s an incredible feeling helping people like that. I guess
that’s why I’m still here after all these years.’’
JoAnn Gilliland of Sterling, Colo., knows firsthand of Med
Evac’s professionalism and compassion. In 2018, the air ambulance service
airlifted her son to a hospital after he suffered massive injuries in an auto
accident. Their quick work helped limit his damages, allowing him to recover
after being in a coma. But Med Evac didn’t stop there. A year later, Pam Rice,
flight paramedic, reached out to the family and offered them a non-emergency
ride on a copter.
“They were so great to us. Their fast response was the first
step in Bryce’s recovery,’’ Gilliland said. “I can never thank them enough.’’
Note to media: Interviews with Chip Brownlee and Joann Gilliland
are available. Please contact [email protected].
To celebrate, Med Evac will hold an anniversary party
Saturday Aug. 13 at Island Grove Regional Park. Fun begins at 11 a.m. All are
welcome. The party is being hosted by Med-Trans Corporation.
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health
care systems in the country. In addition to 30 acute-care hospitals, Banner
also has an academic division, Banner – University Medicine, and a partnership
with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, Banner MD Anderson Cancer
Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health-insurance division,
employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations,
home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers,
physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research
division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of
Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits, and Banner operates a
free 24/7 nurse line for health questions or concerns. Patients may also
reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online
with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also
has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more
information, visit bannerhealth.com.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]