FALL // 2013
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
FOR FRIENDS OF HEALTHNET
AEROMEDICAL SERVICES, INC.
Safety, Quality & Experience Count
Investments For Life
By Clinton Burley
HealthNet Aeromedical Services President/CEO
IN THIS ISSUE:
n Investments for Life
n New Director of
Business Development Named
n Making A Difference
n Partnership Aircraft Heading to AMTC
n HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Inc., Shined at 2013 National Scout
Jamboree
1.877.940.8820
Through nearly three decades of service, HealthNet Aeromedical Services has developed a reputation for
excellence. Desiring to remain the undisputed regional leader in critical care transport medicine, we continue
to invest substantial dollars in infrastructure which support our mission. I am pleased to report that these
investments continue.
In July we successfully converted the Beckley, W. Va., base to the instrument flight rules (IFR) operational
model. HealthNet Aeromedical Base 5 joins our Morgantown operation in achieving IFR status. This effectively
anchors our northern and southern service areas with helicopter platforms that can safely operate in more
limited visibility and in a manner more closely associated with commercial airline operations. Simply put, IFR operations allow us
to serve patients who previously we could not reach. Undoubtedly, lives will be saved through this operational change.
As you may recall, in the first quarter HealthNet Aeromedical Services took delivery of four brand-new Eurocopter EC-130B4
air medical helicopters. This investment is being supplemented with a recent order for two additional new aircraft. These
aircraft, when delivered in 2014, will replace older aircraft now in service at HealthNet Aeromedical Services bases in Ripley and
Buckhannon, W. Va. When the new aircraft are placed into service the average age of our helicopter fleet will be 2.5 years. This is
among the best in the nation for programs our size. We expect nothing less.
The new Ripley and Buckhannon aircraft will join others in our fleet equipped with a cockpit suite that far exceeds the minimum
required by the Federal Aviation Administration. Our approach and commitment to safety is reflected in the fact that the minimum
is just not acceptable to HealthNet Aeromedical Services, our Board of Directors and member hospitals.
Through the years cutting edge clinical and operational services have been among the hallmarks of this program. We are
immensely proud of this legacy and the tens of thousands of lives we have touched. Be assured that we will continue to look to
find what comes next. We appreciate your trust and support of our teams that allow us to do just that.
Making A Difference
By Jason Spears
Director of Business Development
Partners
West Virginia State
Police and HealthNet
Aeromedical Services
Following the August 2012 death of two state
troopers, HealthNet Aeromedical Services Safety Flight Team Leader Jeremy Higginbotham
Officer Jeff White approached the West Virginia works with a police cadet on management
of gun shot wounds.
State Police,to offer their officers a basic first aid
class, at no cost. Initially our educators presented
a Trauma First Response class. After the first session, the team realized that it contained
too much clinical information for police officers. It was decided to take the basic content and
customize it for the law enforcement community. Flight Team Leaders Jeremy Higginbotham
and Veronica Neale developed Power Point presentations based on our experience at the
academy and have presented three courses. HealthNet Aeromedical Services educators
are preparing to present the fourth class, with the fifth session slated for November 2013.
The course has grown from a one-day session to two full days with the addition of handson scenarios, American Heart Association CPR training, bath salts/methamphetamine
information, and an abbreviated landing zone safety lecture followed by skills experience
working around an aircraft. Educators focus on four basic topics in the course; CPR, bleeding
control methods, appropriate use of Quik Clot, and attention to detail. HealthNet Aeromedical
Services presents this course to teach law enforcement officers to save themselves and
those who walk alongside them on the thin blue line.
As the program begins, the team presents a brief introduction, and then Dr. Michael
Peterson, HealthNet Aeromedical Services Medical Director, tells his story. Mike was a
law enforcement motorcycle officer who nearly lost his life in a line of duty accident. His
experience with the emergency services system spurred him to pursue a second career as
a physician specializing in emergency medicine. It is such a moving story for these officers.
But Dr. Peterson’s story also reinforces why we are there. HealthNet Aeromedical Services
partners with the West Virginia State Police for a critically important reason; we know that
bad things that can happen to good officers, and we want each one of them to be able to help
themselves first.
For the fourth class, HealthNet Aeromedical Services has built first aid bags for all fortyeight of the new officers. The bag contains a 50 gram package of Quik Clot, a keychain CPR
face shield, scissors, 4 X 4s, gauze, and related items. We hope to continue to provide this
lifesaving equipment for all future academy classes.
The partnership between the West Virginia State Police and HealthNet Aeromedical
Services is a one for life. And we are proud to work alongside these dedicated public servants.
Cooperation between law enforcement and healthcare providers is critical. If you would
like to partner with your local officers and HealthNet Aeromedical Services to sponsor an
Officer Life Safety course in your region, call Sean McManus at 304-340-8000.
In healthcare and emergency services, we tend to see people at the worst times of their lives. From
tragic accidents to critical medical issues, it’s easy to say that the fine people that we serve would
probably rather be someone else at that time. As care providers and professionals in this field we tend
to take care of the patient from one call, and then pull up our boot straps and get ready for the next
one. We see it as “doing our job.” I encourage you to look at it beyond that. Let’s take a scene call for
example.
An accident occurs, and someone’s world gets turned upside down. A simple trip to the grocery
store becomes the turning point in someone’s life. Every person from the 911 communicator, EMS
personnel on the ground, firefighter, police officer, flight teams, to the hospital staff are now some of
the most important people in this person’s life. Not many people think that they will end up in the back
of the squad, in a helicopter, or lying in a trauma center. Without this chain of heroes, many would not
be with us today.
It’s a team effort, and your impact as healthcare providers goes well beyond the call. We couldn’t
serve the people we do without you. So remember, even on the worst call, you are making a difference.
You may be the best thing that happened on the worst day of their life. Thank you for all that you do.
HealthNet Aeromedical Services
Names New Director of Business Development
Jason M. Spears, Esq., a native of Wayne County, W.Va., has been named
HealthNet Aeromedical Services’ new Director of Business Development. In
this role, Spears will be responsible for identifying and maintaining business
relationships among HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Inc.’s eight bases and
their various hospital, EMS, police, fire and rescue partners.
Spears earned his doctor of jurisprudence degree at Florida Coastal School
of Law in Jacksonville, Fla. Prior to moving south for his law degree, Spears
was recognized as the first graduate of Marshall University’s Community and
Technical College’s Paramedic Science associate’s degree program and later
received a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University.
Spears began his emergency service career with Cabell County EMS, in Huntington, W.Va. He
entered the air medical field with TraumaOne at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida during
his law school years. Upon graduation, Spears was appointed the regional director of the Southeast
United States for CJ Systems Aviation Group, a provider of medical aviation and clinical services. He
assumed the directorship of special projects and governmental affairs following the CJ acquisition by
Air Methods Corporation. In addition to Air Methods, Spears was also an area manager and program
director with Air Medical Group Holdings.
Maintaining his certifications as a critical care paramedic, Spears is a graduate of Association for Air
Medical Services Medical Transport Leadership Institute and is a Certified Medical Transport Executive.
Supporting his passion for the law, Spears retains an appointment as an assistant prosecuting
attorney for Cabell County, W.Va., and has been in private practice since 2006. He is also a sworn
special deputy United States Marshal.
HealthNet Aeromedical Services
National Scout Jamboree
From July 15-24, 2013, HealthNet Aeromedical
Services was on site at the Summit Bechtel
Reserve to provide transport services to the
nearly 40,000 scouts, leaders and staff attending
the National Scout Jamboree. We were a small
part of a larger system which included 800
healthcare professionals from all over the country
who volunteered their time to provide quality
medical care during the event. Our flight crews
transported multiple patients by air and ground
to tertiary hospitals during the 10 day period. We
were also able to assist in the Jamboree Health
Lodge and provide first response care to medical
calls within the site.
Despite long hours, overwhelming heat, mud
By Kay Eliason
Flight Team Leader
Base 5, Beckley, W. Va.
and unfamiliar processes, our team came
together and integrated into the larger medical
system. We saw first hand the magic of the
Jamboree, made many new friends and traded
a lot of patches!
Special thanks to Chad Cox, Flight
Paramedic from Base 5 who spent 24 hours
a day for 13 days on site at the Jamboree
as the Air Ops Coordinator. His extensive
experience and integration on site were
invaluable. We also appreciate all of the
behind-the-scenes support that made this
such a success. HealthNet Aeromedical
Services Administration, Charleston MedBase
and Beckley Regional Command, Air Methods
aviation and maintenance, and fellow flight
Scouts attending the National Jamboree get an up-close look at a state-of-the-art air medical helicopter.
team members from surrounding bases were
all integral in the success of this venture.
I would like to thank everyone that worked
so hard to make this a success as it truly
was a team approach. I received numerous
positive comments from Jamboree staff about
the professionalism of HealthNet Aeromedical
Services crews, the high quality equipment we
operate, and most of all the positive attitudes
that displayed during this 10-day period.
It was truly an experience that will never be
forgotten.
Looking forward to 2017!
A HealthNet Aeromedical Services aircraft flies over the
custom designed Summit Bechtel Reserve wind sock.
On approach to the National Scout Jamboree helipad.
HEALTHNET AEROMEDICAL SERVICES, INC.
110 WYOMING STREET, SUITE 101
CHARLESTON, WV 25302
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
ASHLAND, KY
PERMIT NO. 102
More Info
Would you like to receive
correspondence from HealthNet
Aeromedical services via email? To
sign up, please visit the website at
www.healthnetaeromedical.com
1.877.940.8820
Send questions,
comments and story ideas to:
Shop HealthNet Aeromedical Services
ONLINE
Dryblend Crewneck
Embroidered with Logo
$18.38 + S&H
Item # HN7955-22
HealthNet Aeromedical Services is proud
to offer its online store for your shopping
convenience.
Snap a pic with your smartphone’s
QR reader to go directly to the store!
See the latest HealthNet Aeromedical Services gear and place
your order in a matter of minutes!
Visit us at www.healthnetaeromedical.com/store.html.
Have a suggestion for something you would like to see sold in our store?
Drop us an email at jason.spears@HealthNetCCT.com.
Mail In Your Order
INFLIGHT
Mock Turtleneck
Embroidered with Logo
$22.44 + S&H
Item # HN7955-23
c/o HealthNet Aeromedical Services
110 Wyoming Street, Suite 101
Charleston, WV 25302
OR email
jason.spears@HealthNetCCT.com
HealthNet Aeromedical Services is a shared service of:
Stainless Steel Mug
Imprinted with Logo
$4.00 + S&H
Item # HN8134-02
Or visit our web store at healthnetaeromedical.com/
store for new merchandise!
!
Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Item #:___________________________________Description:__________________________________________________________Size:__________________ Qty:__________________ Cost each:________________Total:______________________
Item #:___________________________________Description:__________________________________________________________Size:__________________ Qty:__________________ Cost each:________________Total:______________________
Item #:___________________________________Description:__________________________________________________________Size:__________________ Qty:__________________ Cost each:________________Total:______________________
(Shipping = $0-25 - $4.50; $26-75 - $7; $75+ - $9) + S&H:_________________________________
Make checks payable to: HealthNet Aeromedical Services
TOTAL:_____________________________
Mail form to: 110 Wyoming Street, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25302
HealthNet Aeromedical Services is fully accredited by:
Air transportation provided by: