Recent AAMS Press Releases
Regionalization of EMS a Major Focus of AAMS Spring
Legislative Conference (March 9, 2010)
Renowned medical researcher Dr. Arthur Kellerman
to lead discussion
More than 100 air medical services personnel from across the
country will converge on the nation’s capital March 17-19, 2010,
to draw greater attention to emergency medical services (EMS)
regionalization, health care reform, disaster response, EMS helicopter
safety and other issues affecting the emergency medical transport
community. As part of their visit, these air medical services leaders
will meet with key policy- and lawmakers on Capitol Hill on March 18 to
educate them about the need for federal funding to support the
low-altitude aviation infrastructure, the importance of air-medical
services, particularly in rural areas, and other issues related to both
air and critical-care ground transport. Download full release...
Air Medical
Today Episode 10 (March 4, 2010) - News & Information, David
Kearns in First Response regarding the Alaris MedSystem III, and
an Interview of Dr. Daniel Hankins, Medical Director of Mayo
Clinic Medical Transport and current President of the Association of Air
Medical Services and Dawn Mancuso, the Executive Director & CEO of
AAMS. Visit http://www.airmedtoday.com.
Statement by Daniel Hankins, MD, FACEP, President,
Association of Air Medical Services Regarding Research
Revealing Existing Air Ambulances Would Cut in Half the Nearly 50
Percent Of Americans Who Lack Life-Saving One-Hour Access to Stroke
Centers
(March 1, 2010)
Download full statement...
AAMS Offers Tips on Recognizing, Treating Brain Injuries
During National Awareness Month in March (February 24, 2010)
Spring break vacationers advised to exercise caution,
plan ahead in case of medical emergencies
Sound bites available at http://www.radionewssource.com/Scripts/tbiawarenessmonth.htm.
As a reminder: March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. So, as Americans
head off to sunny beaches, snowy ski resorts and other fun-filled
destinations on their spring vacations, the Association of Air Medical
Services (AAMS) advises them to use caution, to recognize the symptoms
of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to check into supplemental
insurance and potential access to medical facilities, particularly if
traveling remotely or abroad. Download full release...
AAMS Encourages Americans to ‘Go Red for
Women’ Via Social Media on Friday, Feb.
5
Public asked to help increase awareness of female
cardiovascular disease during American Heart Month
In observance of American Heart Month in February, the Association of
Air Medical Services (AAMS) is doing its part during “Go Red for
Women Day” on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, by prompting the public to
recognize the often more subtle symptoms of heart attack in women, and
to use social media tools to draw greater attention to this No. One
killer of both women and men in the United States. Download full release...
AAMS Urges Winter Sports Enthusiasts Not to Shirk Safety
on the Slopes (January 15, 2010)
Recent serious injuries sustained by American
Winter Olympics hopefuls illustrate potential dangers
The serious Olympics training-related injuries recently suffered by
American snowboarder Kevin Pearce and downhill skier TJ Lanning, both of
whom were flown by air ambulances, have prompted the Association of Air
Medical Services (AAMS) to remind the public to play it safe when it
comes to engaging in exciting, fast-action winter sports. Download full release...
AAMS International Member Aero Ambulancia Is Providing
Assistance to Haiti Earthquake Victims (January 13, 2010)
AAMS coordinates with U.S.-based air-medical programs
to offer additional medevac services
Aero Ambulancia, an international member of the Association of Air
Medical Services (AAMS), reports it has mobilized its fleet of four
fully medically staffed and equipped helicopters to provide
disaster-relief assistance to the people of Haiti following the 7.0
magnitude earthquake that struck the island last night. Download full release...
AMJA Offers $10,001 Donation to MedEvac Foundation
International (December 18, 2009)
Funds dedicated exclusively to air-medical research
The Air Medical Journal Associates (AMJA) has pledged a $10,001
donation to MedEvac Foundation International, bringing it into the
Foundation’s elite Benefactor circle of $10,000-plus donors.
AMJA’s donation will be dedicated exclusively to supporting
industry research and to encouraging content submission for the Air
Medical Journal, the official publication of the nation’s five
leading air-medical transport associations. Download full release...
Sikorsky Completes $100,000-Plus Pledge of Support to
MedEvac Foundation International (December 14, 2009)
Funds dedicated to advancing medical helicopter
and critical-care ground transport worldwide
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has presented a $35,000 donation to MedEvac
Foundation International, its third in a series, completing its total
$105,000 pledge to the air-medical charitable and research organization
and bringing it into the Foundation’s Chairman’s Circle of
$100,000-plus donors. Download full release...
AAMS and ISAS Forge Landmark
Agreement (November 24, 2009)
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) and the International
Society of Aeromedical Services (Australasia), also known as ISAS, have
signed a ground-breaking agreement to collaborate on international
initiatives that will enhance the provision of air-medical transport
services worldwide. The Memo of Understanding (MOU) was
signed between the U.S.-based AAMS and ISAS, a non-profit
association registered in New South Wales, Australia, during the Air
Medical Transport Conference, held Oct. 26-28, 2009, in San Jose,
Calif. Download full release...
Family Grant Fund Aids Families of Mountain Lifeflight
Air-Ambulance Crash Victims (November 18, 2009)
MedEvac Foundation International is raising money through its newly
established Family Grant Fund to provide immediate assistance to the
families of three crew members who were killed in a medical helicopter
accident along the California/Nevada state border early Saturday, Nov.
14. The Mountain Lifeflight helicopter was returning to its base in
Susanville, Calif., after dropping off a patient at a Reno, Nev.,
hospital when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed after the pilot
issued a brief mayday message at about 2 a.m. Saturday. Download full release...
Association of Air Medical Services Elects Hankins as
President (November 10, 2009)
2009-2012 board members elected during Air Medical Transport
Conference
The board of directors of the Association of Air Medical Services
(AAMS) elected Daniel G. Hankins, MD, FACEP, of Oronoco, Minn., to serve
a one-year term as president of the organization following AAMS’
2009-2012 elections. He replaces Sandra Kinkade, MSN, MBA, CMTE, Kinkade
International, who will continue to serve on the board as immediate past
president. Hankins and other AAMS officers were elected during the Air
Medical Transport Conference, held Oct. 26-28, in San Jose,
Calif. Download full release...
2009 Community Awards Announced at Air Medical Transport
Conference (November 9, 2009)
Each year, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) presents nine
national awards to individuals and organizations that exemplify the best
of the critical-care medical transport community. This
year’s AAMS Community Awards were presented during the Air Medical
Transport Conference (AMTC), held Oct. 26-28, 2009, in San Jose,
Calif. Download full release...
MedEvac Foundation International Awards First
Children’s Scholarship (October 29, 2009)
Newly created award honors children who lost a parent in an
air-medical accident
A pre-med student has been named the first recipient of the MedEvac
Foundation International Children’s Scholarship Award. Joshua
Codding, 19, of Santa Rosa, Calif., was honored with the $2,500 award
during an opening session at the Air Medical Transport Conference
(AMTC), on Oct. 27, 2009. Download full release...
Critical Decisions, Speed of Transport Combine to Rescue
a Rescuer (October 26, 2009)
Recovered patient shares story with Air Medical Transport Conference
attendees
San Jose, CA – There wasn’t a cloud in the sky on the
day that Marin firefighter and paramedic Ruben Martin suddenly became a
victim of the type of injury he used to confront as a first
responder. “In one split second, your life can
change,” he muses, recalling the events of Feb. 11,
2008. Download full release...
First Responders Turned Accident Survivors Tell Their
Stories (October 22, 2009)
Suburban Chicago police officers share support, friendship during long
road to recovery. Download full release...
Media Advisory: AMTC Focuses on Aviation and Medical
Safety Issues, Innovations and Insights (October 22, 2009)
This year’s Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC), the largest
gathering of its kind in the nation, will bring more than 2,000 air
medical transport professionals from across the globe together for
150-plus education sessions covering topics in a variety of disciplines
including safety, core clinical, specialty clinical, management,
aviation, research, and communications. In addition, AMTC features an
annual Scientific Assembly and an exposition hall where more than 150
companies will display products and services related to air and critical
care ground medicine. Download full release...
Air Medical Transport Conference to Feature Human
Patient Simulator Competition (October 20, 2009)
Watch flight teams compete head-to-head in a clinical competition
sponsored by MedEvac Foundation International (formerly the Foundation
for Air-Medical Research & Education – FARE). The Air Medical
Transport Conference (AMTC) emergency patient care competition utilizes
the latest technology in patient simulation provided by Medical
Education Technologies, Inc (METI®). The simulator, also knows as
“STAN,” duplicates real-life patient conditions and
situations, and demands that the competitors respond in real time, with
REAL interventions. Download full release...
World-Renowned Research Grant Recipients to Address
Third Annual MedEvac Foundation International Donor
Reception (October 19, 2009)
Two recent MedEvac Foundation International grant award recipients who
are renowned and respected for their professional achievements and
dedication to the emergency medical transport community worldwide will
serve as special guest speakers at MedEvac Foundation
International’s third annual Donor Reception during the Air
Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) in San Jose, Calif. Download full release...
Click here to download the full Media Kit for
the 2009 AMTC.
AAMS Writes Letter of Complaint Over Inaccurate
Portrayal of Air-Med, EMS on NBC’s Trauma Series; Members Asked to
“Tweet” In Corrections (October 5, 2009)
AAMS President Sandra Kinkade has written a letter to NBC expressing the
association’s displeasure and concern over the portrayal of EMS
and air-medical services on the network’s new series, Trauma.
Members are asked to “tweet” in their corrections and
responses to @traumanbc (using #trauma at the end of the posting) on
Twitter and via status postings on Facebook. See the AAMS Twitter (at www.twitter.com/AAMS) and AAMS
Facebook (at www.facebook.com/AAMSAAMS)
pages for details….
Aviation, Patient Safety to Get Renewed Focus at Air
Medical Transport Conference (September 30, 2009)
In light of the increased occurrence of air-medical helicopter accidents
last year and the subsequent recommendations recently issued by the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), this year’s Air
Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) will put a special focus on safety
in air medicine. Download full release...
Study Identifies Key Predictors of Critical Events That
Occur During Air-Medical Transport (September 25, 2009)
A new medical journal study, the largest of its kind to date, finds that
5 percent of urgent-care patients experience a critical event such as a
major resuscitation, rapid loss of blood pressure, respiratory arrest
and even death during air-medical transport. The findings, by Dr. Jeff
Singh with co-author Dr. Russell MacDonald, University of Toronto,
Canada, were published Sept. 14, 2009, in the Canadian Medical
Association Journal. Download full release...
Nation’s Largest Air Medical Transport Conference
to Focus on Patient Care and Safety (September 21, 2009)
Opportunities for improving medical helicopter safety, traumatic brain
injury (TBI) awareness and support, and a look at regulatory issues
affecting helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are among the
topics of this year’s Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC), the
largest gathering of its kind in the nation. Download full release...
Dawn Mancuso, Executive Director and Chief Operating
Officer, Association of Air Medical Services Media Statement Re: Medical
Helicopter Safety Recommendations Issued by the NTSB (Sept. 1,
2009, hearing)
MedEvac Foundation International Is Established To
Advance Medical Transport Worldwide (September 1, 2009)
Former Foundation for Air-Medical Research and Education (FARE) is
renamed to reflect organization’s increased global involvement and
influence
MedEvac Foundation International formerly the Foundation for
Air-Medical Research and Education (FARE) has undergone a name change to
reflect its growing international focus and donor base. The Foundation
was first established in 2000 by the Association of Air Medical Services
(AAMS) to support charitable endeavors and research and education for
the air-medical and critical-care medical-transport
community. Download full release...
Vision Zero Chair Defends AAMS’ Medical Helicopter
Safety Efforts (Sunday, August 30, 2009)
AAMS member and Vision Zero chair Jonathan Godfrey, who survived a 2005
medical helicopter crash in the Potomac River, has written a letter to the editor of The Washington Post
informing the public of AAMS’ efforts regarding medevac helicopter
safety initiatives. He wrote the letter, which appeared in the Sunday,
Aug, 30, edition, in response to the newspaper’s Aug. 21-23
“Fatal Fights” series. Also featured was a letter from
Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service Director John
Allen.
Statement from AAMS President Sandra Kinkade Regarding
The “Fatal Flights” Investigative Series in The Washington
Post (August 24, 2009)
Regarding the Aug. 21-23 “Fatal Flights” series in The
Washington Post, which outlines medical helicopter safety concerns and
profiles crash victims, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS)
would first like to express its profound condolences and empathy to the
families of the patients and crew members killed in medical helicopter
accidents. In addition, we extend our continuing support to medevac
crash survivors. As a former flight nurse who has lost close colleagues
in air-medical accidents, I understand how painful such a loss can
be.
We would also like to remind the American public, however, of the
valuable, often life-saving role that medevac helicopters continue to
play in our nation’s healthcare system, particularly in rural
areas, where they constitute a vital health-care safety net.
Although our organization was not mentioned in The Post series, we
deem it important to communicate our efforts in this area. Download full release...
‘Vision Zero’ Helicopter Emergency Medical
Services Accident-Avoidance Program Uses Social Networking Tools to
Build a ‘Community Culture of Safety’ (August 21,
2009)
Media outlets, the public and, most importantly, crew members and others
involved in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) can now
participate in activities, updates and conversations regarding the
revitalized “Vision Zero” program via Twitter (www.twitter.com/visionzero)
and Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisionZero).
These social-networking tools are among a host of materials being
developed as part of the reinvigorated program, which will be
highlighted at the annual Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC), Oct.
26-28, in San Jose, Calif. Download full release...
American Eurocopter Appoints 2009 Vision Zero Aviation
Safety Award Blue Ribbon Committee (July 30, 2009)
American Eurocopter announced today that it has appointed the 2009
Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award Blue Ribbon Committee. The members of
this committee will be responsible for evaluating the applications and
determining the winner of the prestigious Vision Zero Aviation Safety
award, which was established by American Eurocopter with the purpose of
promoting a higher level of safety within the air medical industry. As
part of the award, American Eurocopter will contribute up to $10,000 to
the winner of the award to further develop aviation safety initiatives
within their organization. Download full release...
AAMS Medical Transport Leadership Institute Certifies 61
Graduates (May 29, 2009)
The Medical Transport Leadership Institute (MTLI) is pleased to announce
the graduation of the 11th class of Certified Medical Transport
Executives (CMTEs). The class of 2009 included 61new CMTE designees,
bringing the total of currently certified air-transport executives to
more than 300. Download full release...
Vital Role of Air-Medical, Critical-Care Transport
Services In Healthcare Reform Outlined During Town Hall
Meeting (May 15, 2009)
As Congress and the administration hone in on policy options aimed at
expanding healthcare coverage, Association of Air Medical Services
(AAMS) President Sandra Kinkade today urged greater inclusion and
consideration of air-medical and critical-care ground transport services
in evolving reform measures. Download full release ...
AAMS Submits Letter to Editor to The New York
Times (April 27, 2009)
AAMS submitted communication to The New York Times in response
to an article published in the April 23, 2009 issue entitled
“FAA to Propose New Medical Helicopter Safety
Rules.” Download full letter…
AAMS Outlines the Importance of Helicopter Medical
Services at House Subcommittee Hearing, Stresses Need for Funding of
Low-Altitude Infrastructure, Airport Improvements (April 22,
2009)
Testifying before a crowded hearing today on the Oversight of
Helicopter Medical Services, Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS)
President Sandy Kinkade offered an overview of the medevac helicopter
industry and discussed the need for greater funding for airport and
low-altitude infrastructure improvements, among other initiatives
aimed at making patient air transport safer. The hearing was
called by the U.S. House of Representatives Aviation Subcommittee to
better understand and evaluate the complex, overlapping factors that
relate to safe air-medical operations. Download full release...
AAMS to Participate in House Aviation Subcommittee
Hearing (April 21, 2009)
AAMS President Sandy Kinkade has been asked to testify in an
“Oversight of Helicopter Medical Services” hearing being
held by the U.S. House of Representatives Aviation Subcommittee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. The hearing will address oversight
issues, particularly as they relate to the safety of helicopter
emergency medical services (EMS) operations. Download full release...
AAMS Launches Medevac Helicopter Safety Public Education
Campaign (April 20, 2009)
The medical helicopter industry has come under great public scrutiny
recently – particularly regarding safety and appropriate usage
concerns – but also in relation to questions over foreign-travel
access and evacuation-insurance coverage, which have been prompted by
the tragic death of award-winning actress Natasha Richardson from a
traumatic brain injury after a fall on a Canadian ski slope.
To help the public better understand the issues, the Association of
Air Medical Services (AAMS) is conducting a public education campaign
regarding the importance of air medical transport in our nation,
particularly in rural and other underserved areas. Download full release...
"Air-Medical Transport Saves Lives – Speed, Access, Quality of
Care” - AAMS Public Awareness Ad (April 2009) - DOWNLOAD PDF FILE
AAMS Cautions Spring Vacationers to ‘Plan Ahead,
Play It Safe’ In Avoiding Traumatic Brain Injuries, Other Medical
Mishaps
(March 30, 2009)
First came the news of the tragic death of Tony-award-winning actress
Natasha Richardson from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a fall on a
Canadian ski slope. Then came the article about Janice Jackson, of
Cincinnati, who died from a head injury after being thrown off a motor
scooter while vacationing in Cozumel, Mexico.
Their stories are similar in some ways: Both were 45-year-old women
having fun on a foreign vacation with their loved ones until sustaining
ultimately fatal head injuries during a fall – head injuries that
medical experts say they might have recovered from had they been
transported by air to an appropriate specialty-care facility
sooner. Download full release...
Children’s Medical Center of Dallas Transport
Services Honored With AAMS 2009 Excellence in Community Service
Award
(March 18, 2009)
Children’s Medical Center of Dallas Transport Services has been
named the recipient of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS)
2009 Excellence in Community Service Award. The organization, located in
Dallas, Texas, was honored with this distinction for its “Know
Before You Go” program, which takes a proactive role in preventing
accidental injuries by giving parents and other adults who care for
children actionable water-safety tips and strategies designed to prevent
drowning or near-drownings. Download full release...
Sen. Amy Klobuchar Honored With 2009 Public Service
Award by the Association of Air Medical Services
(March 17, 2009)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has been presented with a 2009 Public Service
Award by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) for her
commitment to health care and emergency medical services (EMS), and her
tireless support of air medical transport.
“Senator Klobuchar has proven herself time and time again to be
a political groundbreaker in many ways,” said AAMS President Sandy
Kinkade during a March 12 Capitol Hill ceremony honoring the senator and
other AAMS award recipients. Download full release...
NHTSA EMS Director Drew Dawson Honored With 2009 Public
Service Award by AAMS
(March 17, 2009)
Drew Dawson, director of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), has
been presented with a 2009 Public Service Award by the Association of
Air Medical Services (AAMS). He was presented with this distinguished
award for his long-standing commitment to EMS and his tireless support
of air medical transport.
“Drew Dawson is a dedicated professional who has devoted his
professional life to promoting and advancing emergency medical
services,” said AAMS President Sandy Kinkade during a March 12
Capitol Hill ceremony honoring Dawson and other AAMS
award recipients. Download full release...
Air-Medical Flight Teams Lobby to Improve Low-Altitude
Infrastructure, Protect Patients and Advance Air Ambulance
Safety
(March 16, 2009)
Establishing a congressional air-medical caucus, achieving greater
federal funding levels to support the low-altitude infrastructure,
passing proposed air-medical safety legislation, increasing
air-ambulance Medicare reimbursement rates, and addressing regional
disparities in access to trauma services caused by inadequate Medicaid
reimbursement were some of the many issues that air-medical services
leaders focused on during the Association of Air-Medical Services’
Capitol Hill congressional briefings last week. Download full release...
New Fund Will Aid Families of Fallen Air-Medical
Crewmembers and Patients
(March 11, 2009)
A family grant fund to benefit families of crewmembers and patients
killed or seriously injured in air medical accidents has been
established by the Foundation for Air-Medical Research and Education
(FARE), with lead grants from individual donors totaling more than
$25,000 to date. Download full release...
Air Medical Flight Teams to Converge on Capitol
Hill (March 9, 2009)
Dozens of air medical services personnel from across the country will be
gathering in the nation’s capital March 11-13 to draw greater
attention to issues affecting the emergency medical transport community.
As part of their visit, these air medical services leaders will meet
with key policy- and lawmakers on Capitol Hill on March 12 to educate
them about the need for federal funding to support the low-altitude
aviation infrastructure and other issues related to air medical
services. Download full release...
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