Hershey, Pa. -- Calling it a “service that is about saving lives, no matter where, no matter when and no matter how,” Congressman George Gekas (R-17th District) today told his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives that Penn State Hershey Medical Center’s LIFE LION air medical service has made a lasting impact on the health and welfare of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

            The Pennsylvania congressman took to the House floor this morning to comment on the important contributions made by LIFE LION, its pilots, flight nurses, paramedics and staff over the last 15 years.

            “Countless lives have been saved by these skilled and courageous men and women,” said Gekas to the House Representatives. “Courage is not a term I use lightly to describe the crews of the LIFE LION service. The crews will fly in weather and conditions that many other emergency care flights will not fly including lightning, icing and heavy cloud cover. When lives are at stake, the men and women of LIFE LION are willing to put their own lives on the line to come to the aid of those in need of emergency care.”

            The congressman’s comments today will become part of the permanent Congressional Record and available for review by members of the public at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

            LIFE LION’s medical director expressed gratitude to Gekas for acknowledging the hard-working men and women of the program in such a high-profile manner.

            “The dedicated and talented individuals who serve Central Pennsylvania through LIFE LION are absolutely vital to our ability to provide world class emergency care and to serve the community as a Level One Trauma Center, “ said Kym Salness, M.D., chair, Department of Emergency Medicine. “For the congressman to recognize their significant contributions to public health in this way is an honor. All of us associated with LIFE LION are grateful.” 

            Salness said the recognition is something LIFE LION shares with many other people outside the Medical Center’s employment.

            “LIFE LION is part of a team that extends beyond Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Pre-hospital groups throughout the community such as emergency medical services, firefighters, police and others are all an important part of the equation.”

            Since its inception in 1986, LIFE LION has logged 13,635 flights, transporting critical care patients within a 100-mile radius of the Medical Center and carrying donor organs for transplantation.

            The program contains three medically equipped, twin-engine helicopters. At least one helicopter is staffed and ready for emergency deployment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each helicopter is designed to carry two patients and a highly specialized medical flight team usually comprised of one flight nurse, one paramedic and one pilot. On specialty transports such as organ transplant or neonatal cases, a physician or medical specialty team will accompany the flight crew.

            Each year, flight team members complete advanced training in resuscitation techniques, airborne transportation and the care of the critically ill and trauma patients.

            LIFE LION’s helicopters, American Eurocopter Dauphins, are instrument flight certified and cruise up to 180 miles per hour and have a flight range of over 400 miles.

            Supporting LIFE LION is a computerized Communication Center staffed 24 hours a day by specially trained air medical communications and dispatch specialists.

*GEKAS*

Contacts: 
Sean Young (717) 531-8606 email: syoung@psu.edu    
Kent Wissinger (202) 225-4315 Office of Congressman George Gekas