With the goal of better serving southern and central Utah regions, University of Utah Health Care’s AirMed and Mountain View Hospital welcomed guests today to celebrate AirMed’s new 24-hour aircraft base at Mountain View Hospital in Payson.

The new base in Payson was a strategic move for AirMed, as the crew relocated to Mountain View Hospital from Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem. Operations at the new base officially began on Dec. 1.

“We are pleased to have a 24/7 helicopter service through this partnership with AirMed on our campus,” says Kevin Johnson, chief executive officer at Mountain View Hospital. “Having AirMed here in South Utah County will allow for more timely access to care for patients needing transport services in surrounding communities.”

Established in 1972 as the eighth air medical transport program in the nation, AirMed, U of U Health Care’s distinguished air ambulance program, serves as a lifeline to the U’s expert critical care team and facilities. AirMed provides service to the largest geographical region in the country, which includes Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and parts of Nevada and Colorado. The crew’s exceptional service earned them the International Program of the Year award in 2006 from the Association of Air Medical Services.

“By implementing a permanent presence in southern Utah County, the goal is to better connect patients in Utah’s more rural communities to the specialized, life-saving critical care available at University of Utah Health Care,” says David Entwistle, chief executive officer for University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics. “That said, I’d like to extend my sincerest appreciation to our colleagues at Timpanogos Regional Hospital for the wonderful partnership we’ve enjoyed thus far.”

AirMed transports approximately 2,500 patients a year and partners with University of Utah Hospital’s critical care team to provide specialized, life-saving care for all types of emergencies, including neurological trauma or illness, severe burn trauma, comprehensive care for all heart conditions, and a dedicated, high-risk OB team for transporting expectant moms and their babies. The program has four rotor- and two fixed-wing aircraft with bases in Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden, Rock Springs, Wyo., and now in Payson.

For more information about AirMed, visit http://www.healthcare.utah.edu/airmed.