New Helicopter Services Made Available for Prowers Medical Center

Care Connect Copter on Display at PMC

Prowers Medical Center hospital staff and the general public were given a view of the new helicopter being used by PMC and several other southeast Colorado hospitals under the Care Connect program. Care Connect is a division of REACH Air Medical Services which will provide air ambulance service to rural areas in this part of Colorado.

PMC CEO, Craig Loveless

Craig Loveless, Chief Executive Officer of PMC, welcomed the gathering and introduced two principals of the new service, Gary Feldman, Director of Development and Professional Relations and Chuck Milhollin, Air Care Program Manager.

Gary Feldman and Chuck Milhollin

The helicopter and response team of a nurse, paramedic and pilot is based in La Junta and operated by REACH Air Medical Services. The program, according to Feldman, was a collaboration between REACH and Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo.

PMC Staff at Hospital

Milhollin told the gathering that the service will be available to rural hospitals, “Service will be set up here in Lamar, as well as to hospitals in Eads, Trinidad, Walsenburg and Raton, New Mexico, as well as La Junta.” He added that the central location will cut back on a lengthy response time to have a helicopter visit each of those communities at need.

Ephron Brent and Jennifer Merino, Paramedic and RN

The helicopter, one of the newest available for medical air service, carries three personnel as well as one patient. Ephron Brent was the attending paramedic for this past Wednesday with RN Jennifer Merino and various pilots who work on rotation. Brent said he and Merino have been employed by the service since this past April and had undergone training that was specific to delivering medical care inside the confined spaces of a helicopter.

By Russ Baldwin