The Medical Transport Leadership Institute (MTLI) has graduated its 12^th class of Certified Medical Transport Executives (CMTEs). The class of 2010 included 60 new CMTE designees, bringing the total of currently certified air-transport executives to approximately 360.

“As founding organization of the MTLI program, AAMS is proud to honor these graduates with CMTE status,” said Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) President Daniel Hankins, MD, FACEP. “The leadership and management training provided by MTLI is a key component of AAMS’ overall mission, and is one of the ways in which the association meets its goal of promoting a safety-based culture within the air-medical industry.”

MTLI participants develop leadership and management skills specific to medical transport through formal education programs emphasizing both management theory and its direct practical application. To become certified, applicants must participate in a rigorous educational program over the course of two years, pass a comprehensive written examination and satisfactorily complete a team project related to a timely industry challenge.

First-year MTLI focus areas include marketing/public relations, human resources management, leadership and administration, financial operations, corporate compliance, program development and asset management. Second-year courses focus on appropriate-utilization management; information systems for medical transport services; mergers, acquisitions and alliances; advanced leadership and human resources principles; managing change and redesigning work; and case studies exercises.

Among the attendees at this year’s MTLI program were the program’s 2009 and 2010 scholarship recipients, Michael Frakes, CMTE, APRN, CCNS, CFRN, CCRN, EMTP, and Allen Wolfe Jr., RN, MSN, CFRN, CCRN, respectively. Frakes, clinical nurse specialist, Boston MedFlight, was selected for the award based on his extensive experience in the critical care transport community, dedication to multiple professional organizations and research-literature contributions. Wolfe Jr., clinical specialist/chief flight nurse, MedSTAR Transport, meantime, has been instrumental in training nurses, and medics for extended scope-of-practice and is and is a respected international lecturer within the air-medical community.

“The information from the first year of MTLI has already improved my performance at MedFlight, especially in thinking strategically about operations and finances,” said Frakes of his certification training. “I have also taken great advantage of the network of talented people who came together for the meeting.”

The MTLI was launched in 1998 by AAMS to provide management training for individuals in the emergency medical transport field. Among medical transport executives, the “CMTE” designation is an indication of demonstrated skill in leadership and expertise in medical-transport management. Certification last for three years, and re-certification is established through 30 earned MEUs (Management Education Units). For details about MTLI, see http://www.aams.org/ or call 703-836-8732.

The MTLI Scholarship, supported by MedEvac Foundation International, is made possible by a generous gift from Metro Aviation, Inc. The scholarship is awarded based on active involvement, industry achievement level and commitment to critical care transport services. Applications for the 2011 scholarship will be available in October at http://www.medevacfoundation.org/.

About AAMS – The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the trade association serving the entire air and critical care ground medical transport community. AAMS, together with its charitable arm, MedEvac Foundation International, 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. For details, see http://www.aams.org/.

About MedEvac Foundation International – The MedEvac Foundation International operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Formerly known as FARE (Foundation for Air-Medical Research and Education), the Foundation supports research, education, outreach, and charitable services to advance medical transport worldwide.