Penn State Hershey Life Lion Chief Pilot Doug Turk was recently awarded the Outstanding EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Pilot Award by the National EMS Pilots Association. In presenting the honor, the association released the following statement:
The air medical industry has no lack of exceptional pilots to fly the aircraft that provides a life-saving service to the population of our nation. For this reason, the National EMS Pilots Association desires to recognize those EMS pilots whose commitment to both safety and excellence stand out from the rest.We look for much more than just a high level of flying skills. We expect that all air medical provider programs would insist on a high level of technical experience from each one of their pilots; just as they do for their medical crew members. We look for a pilot who is a mentor and a consistent example of the principals and practices that we all teach in our classes on Air Medical Resource Management. Someone who is concerned with the quality of all aspects of services provided by their organization and not just with what happens in the cockpit. Above all, we look for someone who is committed to advocating for and practicing safety in all flight operations, without exceptions.And so it is with great pleasure that we provide this Outstanding EMS Pilot award to Doug Turk of Life Lion Critical Care Transport Service.