National EMS Pilot Association (NEMSPA) today announced the winner of the 2015 Pilot of the Year Award – Ann Lowell of Air Methods, currently serving the Haiti Air Ambulance program in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Each year, NEMSPA accepts nominations for this award from the nationwide emergency air medical community to recognize an individual who stands out in terms of professional achievements and contributions to the safety of air medical operations.

“Air Methods is proud of Ann and the great accomplishments she has achieved serving Haiti Air Ambulance,” said Raj Helweg, chief pilot of Air Methods. “She is a proven leader and continues to bring our safety culture and operational quality to Haiti.”

Ann attended flight school near Portland. At the onset of her flying career, Ann established herself as a chief flight instructor for a flight school located in Sacramento, Calif. Ann was then contracted by the United States Fire Service to fight wildfires in the western United States. Later, she worked for a Las Vegas, Nev. helicopter tour operator enjoying the natural wonders of the Grand Canyon.  Ann deliberately tracked her path to the Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) industry. After reaching the necessary requirements, Ann began her HAA career with OmniFlight Helicopters, now part of Air Methods.

After serving the EMS community for the past 19 years in various locations in the United States – from California to the Carolinas – Ann continues to share her expertise and compassion in the most challenging location of her career, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

“Few pilots are as worthy of this distinction as Ann Lowell,” said Ralph McDaniel, Haiti Air Ambulance executive director. “As our lead pilot, she flies patients under some of the most challenging circumstances, yet maintains grace under pressure. She is also an inspiring leader who exudes a positive, safety-first attitude followed by all on the base.”

For Ann, Air Methods, and the Haiti Ambulance Program, safety is the number one priority. Ann is a strong advocate of the continuous improvement of the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety management system (SMS) and contributes to a sound safety culture at Air Methods. Air Methods was the first air medical provider and helicopter operator to enter the FAAs voluntary Safety Management System (SMS) program.

Air Methods Corporation (http://www.airmethods.com) is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services in the United States. The United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. The Tourism Division is comprised of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which provides helicopter tours and charter flights in the Las Vegas/Grand Canyon region and Hawaii, respectively. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.