Winter 2021: Air Methods

by fcepadmin | Jan 27, 2021

To kick off FCEP’s 50th anniversary year, we asked our most dedicated partners — FCEP/EMLRC Annual Corporate Sponsors, who donate $10,000 or more each year — why they choose to invest in educating and supporting the emergency medicine industry. Read on to learn not only how these companies can support you and your practice, but why they love to do so.

Air medical transport is the lifeline that delivers patients to the healthcare facility they need most in emergency situations – particularly in rural America. Every year, Air Methods delivers lifesaving care to more than 70,000 people through its fleet of more than 450 aircraft and prehospital flight crews.

“The pandemic has affected all of us at Air Methods on a very visceral and personal level,” says CEO JaeLynn Williams. “It has amplified our core values. Our flight crews – the nurses, paramedics, and pilots – are on the frontlines of this crisis every day. They are putting on full personal protective equipment (PPE) for every single flight. In some places, at the height of summer, the temperature hovered around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. And they did it, because it is the essence of who they are.”

Air medical services help strengthen the rural safety net for more than 60 million Americans by extending the capabilities of rural hospitals. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that Americans have timely access to care, and that this care is adequately covered by the payer. As a preferred partner for hospitals, Air Methods helps ensure adequate coverage along with safe and timely transport between trauma and specialty centers.

Cultivating strong relationships between EMS agencies and hospital systems is something Air Methods and the EMLRC both understand and value. “We support members of (FCEP) because the EMLRC supports the growth and development of EMS within the state,” says Williams. “The EMLRC strives to advocate for the customers we support in our air medical operations. They (also) work to improve overall relationships between prehospital providers and physicians within the medical facilities through (their) education and advocacy.” ■

Learn More:

Company size: 5,000+
Located in: HQ in Greenwood Village, CO; provide access to air medical service in 49 states
Function: Emergency air medical service
Founded: 1980
CEO: JaeLynn Williams
Did you know? With over 450 aircrafts, Air Methods has the largest commercial fleet of rotorcraft under one certificate in the U.S., and is basically considered an airline by the FAA.
Website: airmethods.com

This article is part of the following sections:

  • This article is published in EMpulse Winter 2021. See the full version of the print magazine online here.

Samantha manages fcep.org and publishes all content. Some articles may not be written by her. If you have questions about authorship or find an error, please email her directly.