Air Methods Awarded Contract to Provide Services to St. Mary’s Hospital CareFlight

Denver, CO - Air Methods Corporation announces that it was selected as the air medical operator and began service for St. Mary’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center’s CareFlight program in Grand Junction, CO. This contract has significant historical relevance since St. Mary’s was Air Methods’ first-ever air medical program and where the company transported its first patient in 1980.

Under the new agreement which became effective in November, Air Methods operates a Eurocopter AS350 helicopter based at the main hospital campus, and a Beechcraft King Air airplane based at Grand Junction Regional Airport. Air Methods employs the assigned pilots and mechanics and provides communications services for the program through its national communications center. In 1980, the St. Mary’s air medical program went into service with a new Bell 206-L1 helicopter. Roy Morgan, Air Methods’ founder, was the pilot who flew the first St. Mary’s air medical team and Air Methods’ first patient, the same day the program went into service.

“Nearly 32 years ago, Roy began his vision for Air Methods at St. Mary’s, which was the first step toward the company we are today," says Aaron Todd, Air Methods' CEO. "We are honored and pleased to have earned St. Mary’s respect and confidence in once again being selected as their partner in serving the communities of Grand Junction, Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.”

For more information, visit www.airmethods.com.