REMSA Health appoints Joseph Drago as Executive Director of Care Flight

Care Flight, a service of REMSA Health, has appointed Joseph Drago to the role of Executive Director. Drago brings more than two decades of air medical operations, clinical leadership and strategic development to Care Flight, the only nonprofit air ambulance provider in the Nevada and California region.

In this role, Drago will oversee all components of the Care Flight division, including clinical performance, patient and crew safety, customer service, business development, transport operations, regulatory tracking, and team member development.

“I am excited to welcome Joe to the Care Flight team,” said Adam Heinz, Chief Operating Officer at REMSA Health. “His dedication to emergency medical services and air medical operations is an ideal addition to Care Flight – Nevada’s first and longest-serving air ambulance program. Joe’s focus on patient-centered care, solution-based customer service, and provider wellness and safety will ensure Care Flight continues to be the region’s premier critical care transport provider.”

Drago comes to the organization from Sacramento, California, where he worked with REACH as its air ambulance Program Director and a base manager. Prior to that, he held positions with Air Methods, PHI Air Medical Services, and Riggs Ambulance Service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University and an associate degree in Fire Science from Modesto Junior College. Drago is a nationally registered paramedic, and holds a flight paramedic certification as well as a variety of trauma and pediatric advanced life support certifications. He has served as a board member on the Sacramento Emergency Medical Advisory Group and the Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Care Committee.

Care Flight recently secured a US$3.25 million conditional pledge from the William N Pennington Foundation toward the purchase of a new helicopter.