Northwest MedStar

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Northwest MedStar was a non-profit medical transport company headquartered in Spokane, Washington with bases in Spokane and the Tri-Cities, Washington area. The company serviced the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana, transporting critical-care patients using its fleet of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ambulances.

Contents

History

Northwest Medstar Eurocopter EC135 over Spokane Medstar Eurocopter EC135 20070621.jpg
Northwest Medstar Eurocopter EC135 over Spokane

In 1994 Providence Health Care merged with Empire Health Services, creating Inland Northwest Health Services. [1] [2] Through this merger, the companies air ambulance services were also merged, creating Northwest MedStar. [1] [2] Also in 1994, the company partnered with Metro Aviation for operation services. [2] [3]

In 1996, Northwest MedStar became accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). [3]

In October 2009, Northwest MedStar took over management of AirLink Critical Care Transport, owned by Cascade Healthcare Community. [2] In 2009, Eveline Bisson, a director at the company, was named Program Director of the Year by the national Association of Air Medical Services. [2]

In 2012, the company earned the air medical industry's Program of the Year award. [3] [4] [5] Also that year, Northwest MedStar earned the Communicator of the Year Award for the work of Stephen Thompson. [5]

In September 2015, the company hired Matt Albright as its new director. [6] In 2016, Life Flight Network purchased the company from Inland. [1]

MedStar offered a membership program allowing families to cover any emergency flights during the year for one price. [2]

Locations

Northwest MedStar operated multiple bases in:

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Alexander, Rachel (16 March 2016). "Oregon-based Life Flight to take over Northwest MedStar | The Spokesman-Review". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Crompton, Kim (11 February 2010). "NW MedStar maintains steady climb > Spokane Journal of Business". Spokane Journal of Business. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "New Air Medical Helicopter Arrives At Northwest MedStar". KHQ Right Now. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  4. "Northwest MedStar to Open Base in Brewster | The Quad City Herald". Quad City Herald. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  5. 1 2 "Business Beat | The Spokesman-Review". The Spokesman Review. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  6. "Northwest MedStar hires new director". Poughkeepsie Journal. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 2020-09-01.