September 15, 2008
Air Ambulance merger promises improved medevac service for Alaska
YKHC Public Relations Staff
Two of the leading Alaska air ambulance services, Providence's Lifegaurd and YKHC's Aeromed International, are merging on Oct.1, 2008, to create LifeMed Alaska, a private company improving medevac services to the YK-Delta and all of Alaska.
"What makes us different is that we have about 50 percent Registered Nurses and 50 percent paramedics on board," said LifeMed Alaska CEO Don Griffin. "Some companies only use paramedics and we think we provide better quality care using both." Griffin continued.
The combined companies will feature both helicopter and fixed-wing airplane transportation services. Aeromed has been in service for 11 years as a subsidiary of Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation. Lifegaurd was established 22 years ago by Providence Health and Services Alaska. YKHC and Providence will each have half ownership of the new company.
"We are looking forward to expanding our operations. Currently we are based in Anchorage, Soldotna, and Bethel and we want to do everything we can to cover every other city too," said Griffin.
Gene Peltola, CEO of YKHC, Ray Alstrom, Chairman of the YKHC board and YKHC board member Bill Kristovich serve on the LifeMed board.
"Both Aeromed and Lifeguard have unique assets and expertise. By combining the two, LifeMed will be able to serve all Alaskans throughout the state with the best quality and most versatile air ambulance services available," said YKHC President/CEO Gene Peltola.
