Webmaster’s note: I am in the midst of cleaning out the inbox and posting some previously overlooked press releases.
Press release from Parkview Hospital, dated November 18, 2010, see note below:
Parkview Samaritan celebrates 20 years of service
Mayor proclaims today as “Parkview Samaritan Day”(November 18, 2009) – Today marks the 20-year anniversary for the Parkview Samaritan flight program.
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today visited Parkview Hospital to proclaim “Parkview Samaritan Day” in the City of Fort Wayne. Mayor Henry visited with Parkview Samaritan crew members and thanked them for their service to the community.Since November 1989, the Samaritan crew has provided life-saving medical care and transportation to more than 16,000 area residents during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
“This is a special day for the Parkview Samaritan program as we recognize a terrific team that makes a positive difference in the communities we serve,” said Sue Ehinger, chief operating officer, Parkview Hospital. “Parkview is a leader in medical flight services, and through the years, we have heard stories from patients and their families about the compassionate care given by our Samaritan crew.”
Samaritan 1, based in Fort Wayne, began transporting severely ill and injured patients on Nov. 18, 1989. A decade later, Samaritan 2 began flying from its base in Rochester, Ind.
Samaritan aircraft are twin-engine Dauphin AS 365 N-2 helicopters. Both helicopters serve a 100-mile radius from Fort Wayne and Rochester, covering the northern half of Indiana, southern Michigan and northwestern Ohio. When the crew receives a call, Samaritan leaves the helipad within an average of 5.6 minutes and cruises at an average of 180 mph to its destination.
“We have a great crew that is committed to providing excellent patient care,” said Cathy Harris, director of flight and EMS, Parkview Hospital. “The 20-year anniversary is a great accomplishment and it speaks volumes to the dedication of our flight nurses, flight paramedics, pilots, and dispatchers.”
As a leader in medical flight services, Parkview has the only Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) certified program in Indiana. With IFR, helicopters can fly by instrument guides in certain types of weather that may not be possible by visual flight rules. In addition, the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) specialty team performs several flights each year to provide medical care to newborn patients.
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