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North Mississippi Medical Center's medical helicopter crew is kicking off its 20th anniversary celebration with the arrival of a new helicopter.

NMMC's Aeromedical Service flew its first medical mission on Dec. 4, 1986. Since then, the service has logged more than 8,500 flights transporting patients from area hospitals and accident scenes to the medical center as well as from NMMC to other hospitals in the region.

Earlier this year, NMMC employees and physicians were invited to participate in a Name the New Helicopter Contest. More than 1,000 names were submitted for consideration. "CareFlight was selected because we thought it was the best fit," said Wanda Della-Calce, RN, director of NMMC's Emergency Services Department. "The new name reflected the caring service provided by our flight crew."

For submitting the winning entry, Bob Ray, NMMC safety director, received a $100 prize and will be taken on a tour of the NMMC campus and surrounding area aboard the new helicopter.

Giving commemorative pins to the patients transported by NMMC's helicopter service is a long-held tradition. In celebration of the 20th anniversary and to introduce the service's new name, specially designed pins marking these two milestones will be introduced in December.

The flight crew includes Rebecca Abel, Sherry Beard, Brian Conn, Mary Ann Sanderson, Mary Ann Shaffer, Jim Spruiell, Wanda Vancil and Teresa Wilbanks. Pilots are Bob Caldwell, Marc Fitts, Larry Pittman and Dave Young. John Acord is the helicopter mechanic.


February 2007

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