Step inside the world of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) with our special edition of Vertical Valor. This issue is packed with powerful stories from the frontlines of airborne critical care — from the cockpit to the cabin, and everywhere in between.
Inside this issue:
- The Rising Cost of Care – As expenses soar and reimbursements stall, HEMS operators fight to keep aircraft flying in the rural communities that rely on them most.
- From Combat to Care – Veterans across the U.S. are bringing battlefield grit and experience to lifesaving HEMS missions.
- Finding a New Life – How refurbishment companies breathe new life into aging airframes, ensuring they remain vital assets in the skies.
- Good Samaritans in Flight – From Dauphins to AW169s, Parkview Samaritan evolves with the times while staying true to its critical-care mission.
- Muscle Memory in Motion – AeroMed Dynamics unveils a first-of-its-kind crew simulator, giving nurses and HEMS teams a realistic way to hone lifesaving skills on the ground.
Plus:
- Jana Williams of AAMS shares her perspective on rising costs, workforce gaps, and why unity across the industry matters now more than ever.
- Veronica Marzonie of ECHO highlights the growing focus on mental health, evolving training demands, and how clinicians can be better prepared for the realities of aircrew life.
- Tech experts explain how portable ventilators in HEMS now provide ICU-level modes, advanced monitoring, and adaptability across patient populations.
- Pilots Who Ask Why Jop Dingemans and Janine Lythe share how emergencies test not only patient care and safety in the moment, but also a pilot’s ability to defend those decisions long after the mission ends.
- Future operators of the Airbus H140 share why they believe the new type will set a higher standard for air medical transport.
Good Samaritans in Flight
From Dauphins to AW169s, Parkview Samaritan evolves while staying true to lifesaving care.
By Frederic Lert
The Rising Cost of Care
HEMS providers struggle with soaring costs and lagging reimbursements.
By Jen Boyer
Airbus’s New Lifeline
The Airbus H140 delivers a new standard for air medical transport.
By Treena Hein
From Combat to Care
Veterans bring military skills and adaptability to civilian helicopter air ambulance operations.
By Gerrard Cowan
Finding a New Life
From tip to tail, refurbished airframes are ready for lifesaving air medical missions.
By Lisa Gordon
Keeping Airways Clear
Portable ventilators in HEMS now deliver ICU-level modes, monitoring, and adaptability.
By Gerrard Cowan
Muscle Memory in Motion
AeroMed Dynamics’ new simulator helps transport nurses practice critical skills safely.
By Ben Forrest
Elevating the Flight Crew
ECHO is redefining what it means to fly as a team.
Interviewed by Jen Nevans
United for Care
Rising costs and workforce gaps make unity essential for air medical’s future.
Interviewed by Jen Nevans
The Hard Calls
When emergencies strike, critical choices test patient survival, crew safety, and judgment.
By Jop Dingemans & Janine Lythe
