PHI to operate Valley Health air ambulance
Valley Health System, a healthcare provider based in the US state of Virginia, has announced a partnership with PHI Air Medical to provide air ambulance services to its region
Helicopter operations were launched this month under the arrangement, using a Eurocopter EC135. PHI will provide clinical, aviation, and maintenance personnel for the helicopter, while the aircraft itself has been updated with new clinical and communications equipment.
The service will complement Valley Health’s existing ground transport services, operated under the Valley Medical Transport brand, which serves over 21,000 patients per year.
“This new aircraft, and the collaboration with the region’s leading medevac provider will allow us to reach patients who need care even faster,” said Mark Nantz, President and CEO, Valley Health. “Although Valley Health and PHI have worked together in the past, this enhanced partnership will strengthen our communication and, ultimately, the service we provide to patients. I am proud of our caregivers who are always ready to provide expert care to people of this region in their time of need.”
Rick Cohen, Program Director, PHI Air Medical, added: “We’re excited to elevate our service to the northern Shenandoah Valley and the Eastern Panhandle community.”
PHI Air Medical operates services on behalf of a number of US hospital systems, including Nicklaus Children's Hospital, the subject of AirMed&Rescue’s October 2022 Provider Profile.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.