The board of directors of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) recently elected Gerald M. Pagano, ATP, CFI, CFII, ASPM, past CMTE of Delray Beach, Fla., to serve a one-year term as Chair of the Board following AAMS’ 2012-2014 elections.

He replaces Timothy Pickering, JD, EMT-P, CMTE of Air-Evac EMS in O’Fallon, Mo. Pagano was elected during the Air Medical Transport Conference, held Oct. 22-24, in Seattle, Wash.

Pagano is currently the Director of Medical Transport & Aeromedical Facilities for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, an FAA Certificated Air Ambulance Service based in West Palm Beach, Fla. He is an aviation executive with 38 years of experience including military training, combat flight assignments, and ratings in fixed and rotor wing aircraft. He holds or has held positions as Director of Operations, Check Airman, Chief Pilot, Air Traffic Controller, Emergency Medical Technician, and is an Aviation Consultant.

“It is a great honor and privilege for me to serve the Association of Air Medical Services. I am humbled at being selected to Chair its Board of Directors as we work together with the President, Staff, and member volunteers to continue the great work the association does each and every day in support of our membership as they provide air and ground critical care transportation throughout the world to patients in need of those services,” says Pagano.

Pagano has served as the Region VI Director on the AAMS board of directors since October 2006, chair of the AAMS Safety Committee since 2007 and has also served as president of the Florida AeroMedical Association. He is a current member of the National EMS Pilots Association and the Florida EMS Pilots Association.

Elected officers also included vice chair Eveline Bisson, RN, BSN, CMTE, program director, Northwest MedStar, Spokane, Wash.; treasurer Martin F. Arkus, CMTE, VP of Business Development, Med-Trans Corporation, Tucson, Ariz; and secretary Betsy Sullivan Casanave, MHA, RN, CMTE, EMT, director and chief, Mobile Critical Care Services, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Raleigh, N.C.

“I look forward to working with such a distinguished and dedicated group of industry leaders who are so clearly committed to providing safe and effective medical transportation for the most critically ill and injured patients worldwide,” said Rick Sherlock, AAMS President & CEO.

About AAMS
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the only international trade association serving the entire air and ground medical transport community. AAMS strives to enhance the medical transport industry by promoting the highest level of industry safety; promoting quality patient care; inspiring commitment to the industry’s work, causes, and viability; and providing superior service to its members.