Poudre Valley Health System announced today that it plans to offer an air ambulance program from Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland beginning mid-March. The program would feature a B3 helicopter designed to safely transfer patients in high-altitude areas.

“We are proud to bring to the community an air ambulance service built around three pillars of excellence: safety, quality and rapid transport,” said Dr. Timothy Hutchison, medical director of the PVHS air ambulance program. Dr. Hutchison is also an ER physician with more than 23 years experience in medical air transport, most recently at the Greeley-based North Colorado Med Evac.

Referencing extreme altitude capabilities, Dr. Hutchison noted that the B3 helicopter was the first to land on Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain.*

“Achieving positive patient outcomes is the primary focus of our new program,” he said. “With quality medical teams on board, helicopters play a pivotal role in getting patients with life-threatening conditions to the care they need as quickly as possible.”

The PVHS aircraft would be equipped with the latest medical transport technology available to support optimal on-flight treatment. Its home base would be Medical Center of the Rockies, a high-tertiary care hospital that features two landing pads, one on the rooftop and one at ground level.

The PVHS flight crews would include experienced nurses and paramedics skilled in high-level trauma and advanced cardiac and critical care.

The program would serve the medical transport needs of northern Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. Program administrators are currently discussing the name of the new program and finalizing contracts.
About Poudre Valley Health System

Poudre Valley Health System is a locally owned, private, nonprofit organization with a strong vision: to provide world-class health care. PVHS is a recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the highest presidential honor for quality and process improvement.

Based in northern Colorado since 1925, PVHS provides evidence-based health care and wellness services in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming, serving more than 50,000 square miles. With more than 5,100 employees, PVHS is a regional medical hub that includes Poudre Valley Hospital and Medical Center of the Rockies, both Magnet Award recipients, and a network of medical and behavioral health clinics as part of Poudre Valley Medical Group.

HeliHub.com editor note – the registration N911LL featured on the artist impression here is currently allocated to a Bell 407