That’s because HealthNet Aeromedical Services – the not-for-profit critical care transport system cooperatively owned and operated by Marshall Health Network, Vandalia Health and WVU Medicine – is celebrating four decades of providing high-quality aeromedical services across Central Appalachia.
“Our commitment is to provide compassionate, high-quality care,” said Clinton Burley, president and CEO of HealthNet Aeromedical Services. “Safety is our top priority and the focus of everything we do. That focus hasn’t changed over the past four decades. But many things certainly have. It’s an incredible story of collaboration, dedication and innovation.”
Before 1985, the West Virginia State Police operated medical helicopters out of the Charleston and Morgantown regions. However, the state-funded service operated only during daylight hours and a lack of funding threatened its existence altogether.
West Virginia’s hospital systems stepped in, taking inspiration from St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver – where, years earlier, in a bid to host the 1972 Olympic Games, a hospital-based air medical helicopter system launched to ensure injured Olympians could quickly reach area medical centers. Ironically, Denver didn’t host the Olympics – but they had created a quality, hospital-sponsored flight program that worked very well.
The Mountain State’s hospitals worked cooperatively, providing air transport for all of West Virginia. That cooperative nature is reflected in HealthNet Aeromedical Services’ “snowflake” logo, with lines extending to all parts of the state.
“Their vision turned into the incredible system we have today,” Burley said. “Each could have operated their own transport systems, but they decided to work together, doing the best thing for West Virginia and her people.”
HealthNet Aeromedical Services’ dedication in 1986 took place at Charleston Area Medical Center, where West Virginia native and renowned NASA astronaut the late John McBride spoke.
Its first two bases were in Charleston and Morgantown, and Huntington’s base began operating in 1987. Today, HealthNet Aeromedical Services’ eight bases include operations in Beckley, Buckhannon, Huntington, Lewisburg, Martinsburg, Millwood, Morgantown and Moundsville.
“Our story is one of challenges and opportunities,” Burley said. “It’s one of success. And I’m proud that it’s a story of firsts, and a story of countless lives saved.”
HealthNet Aeromedical Services was the first program east of the Mississippi River to utilize night vision goggles in all phases of operation, allowing pilots to more safely navigate the state’s hills and hollows.
It was one of the earliest programs to have blood and plasma on all flights.
“HealthNet Aeromedical Services employs the latest technology in both safety and clinical operations,” Burley said. “The program is dedicated to leveraging technology to improve service delivery.”
In 2019, HealthNet Aeromedical Services was named Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Program of the Year.
Today, the fleet of 10 aircraft includes eight helicopters with twin engines and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) equipment. “An IFR-equipped aircraft can fly in and above the clouds and allow us to reach many patients that other helicopters simply cannot,” Burley said. “That means we save lives every day.”
