Life Flight Network, which is based at Aurora State Airport and is the nation’s largest non-profit air ambulance provider, was named Program of the Year by the Air Medical Services Association.

Among the 350 programs eligible for the award worldwide, Life Flight Network was selected as the best aerial medical program.

The award recognizes an emergency medical transport service that has demonstrated a superior level of patient care, management prowess, high quality leadership, customer service, safety awareness, marketing ingenuity, community service and a commitment to the medical transport community as a whole.

Sponsored by Airbus, the award is considered the most prestigious award available to airline medical providers.

“We are delighted to have been chosen for this prestigious award”, Ben Clayton, Interim CEO of Life Flight, said in a press release.

Clayton called the honor “a testament to the hard work and dedication of our highly trained clinicians, airmen, maintenance personnel, communications specialists, operational control specialists and administrative staff.”

“They are the best in the business,” he said. “Their constant focus on patient care, safety, quality and customer service is the reason we are able to provide access to life-saving care in the communities we serve. “

Life Flight has been in existence for over 43 years and employs approximately 750 people. In Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana, the company has 25 rotary-wing bases, nine fixed-wing bases, two neonatal and pediatric bases, and operates 30 ground ambulances.

This is the second time that Life Flight has been recognized as AAMS Program of the Year, but Life Flight Regional Vice President Dominic said it was particularly meaningful now, after a particularly difficult 18 months during the pandemic.

“Quality, safety, customer service, clinical and aeronautical excellence are the hallmarks of what Life Flight Network stands for,” said Pomponio. “All of our employees are committed to the same mission: saving lives through state-of-the-art care and transportation. “

Life Flight will be officially recognized at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Fort Worth, Texas on November 1.