Video: CareFlight Launches Starkville Base

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PRESS RELEASE

STARKVILLE, Miss.—North Mississippi Medical Center and Air Methods have expanded its air medical services, with the recent opening of a base at Oktibbeha Airport, 320 Airport Road, Starkville.

The CareFlight helicopter in the Golden Triangle area will be supported by two additional helicopters stationed at bases at Tupelo Regional Airport and Winona/Montgomery County Airport.

A CareFlight helicopter is located at each base of operations, with pilots provided by Air Methods and staffed by a critical care nurse and a paramedic with specialized equipment and training to transport critical patients. All locations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CareFlight is available for scene flights and inter-hospital transfers.

“We’re pleased to expand air medical services to the Starkville area, where we can provide access to top-quality care and keep the patients closer to home,” said Joe Johnsey, NMMC CareFlight’s medical director.  “Our staff realizes the critical importance of rapidly responding to medical needs. Whether it is trauma related or medical events like strokes or heart attacks, expeditious connection to critical care improves outcomes. With the expansion of our air medical critical care teams, we are able to provide that care even closer to home and ensure the patients in north Mississippi get the best care possible en route to facilities and health care providers that will help them survive and recover from such serious health events.

NMMC is designated as a Level II trauma center by the Mississippi State Department of Health. To receive this designation, facilities must offer a full range of trauma capabilities, including an Emergency Department, a full service surgical suite, intensive care unit and diagnostic imaging, as well as make a commitment to consistently meet national guidelines or standards in caring for trauma patients.

Air Methods, based in Englewood, Colo., is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features more than 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.