News

Unity Health and Survival Flight Inc. are proud to announce their partnership with the new addition of Survival Flight 6. On March 3, Unity Health's White County Medical Center Campus in Searcy became the official station for Survival Flight 6, a patient transportation helicopter that will be stationed at the hospital 24/7.

According to Unity Health AVP of Medical Services Peggy Turner and Director of Emergency Services Melissa Bauer, Survival Flight 6 will provide the region with an extra layer of service.

"This service is to help assist patients when speed is of the essence," Turner said. "Whether it is at the scene of an accident or it is imperative that a patient be rushed from another facility into surgery, this will help secure that our patients receive the appropriate care in the time needed. We are excited and thankful to be able to provide this new service to the communities we serve."

Bauer said while the helicopter will be staffed with flight paramedics and flight nurses, the helicopter will not take the place of local ambulance services.

"Our local EMT services do a wonderful job," Bauer said. "Survival Flight 6 is here to help assist our medical providers; it will not fly to people's homes or answer normal 911 calls, but it will provide a way for us to avert traffic, decrease transportation times for patients faced with life-threatening cases and aid the community when medical tragedy occurs."

Survival Flight 6 is equipped with state of the art medical equipment, Bell 407 helicopter and staffed by a paramedic, registered nurse and pilot. In addition, the staff will be stationed at the hospital at all times and be able to fly anywhere in the region. Furthermore, Survival Flight helicopters have high weight capacity capabilities, which allow a patient's family member the ability to ride alongside them with them on board the helicopter.

"We are excited about the opening of our new base and the ability to serve the residents of White County and surrounding counties," said Matt McIntosh, Base Clinical Manager for Searcy. "Saving lives is a team effort and we look forward to working hand in hand with Unity Health, local EMS, fire and law enforcement services for any needs they may have."

ABOUT UNITY HEALTH – WHITE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER:

As the leading healthcare provider in an eight-county area, Unity Health and its associates strive to improve the quality of health and well-being for the communities it serves through compassionate care. Unity Health is the largest employer in an eight-county area with more than 2,000 associates. The facility has a combined total of 438 licensed beds and a medical staff of 150 physicians that specialize in various areas of healthcare.

In addition to the White County Medical Center and Specialty Care Campuses, Unity Health in Searcy includes Unity Health – Clarity Health and Wellness, Unity Health – Family Practice Associates, Unity Health – After Hours Clinic, Unity Health – McAfee Medical Clinic, Unity Health - Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Unity Health – Searcy Medical Center and Unity Health – Searcy Medical Center, West, Unity Health – Westside Family Medical Clinic, Unity Health Cardiology Clinic and Unity Health Oncology Clinic.

ABOUT SURVIVAL FLIGHT INC.:

Survival Flight Inc. is an independently owned air medical service operating six bases in three states. Survival Flight Inc. is dedicated to air medical transportation focusing on the quality of care to our patients and their safety with aviation medical transportation. Our mission and purpose is serving our customers with unsurpassed and rapid medical services to save lives. Survival Flight also offers a membership program. Survival Flight members have no out of pocket expenses when transported by Survival Flight in the event of an emergency. Survival Flight memberships cost $50 per year for a family and $45 per year for an individual. For more information on Survival Flight services or membership go to survivalflightinc.com.