Med-Trans, part of the Global Medical Response (GMR) family of companies, has purchased the assets of Hospital Wing, a premier air medical provider in Memphis, Tennessee and the US mid-south. Kim Montgomery, COO for Med-Trans, said the acquisition was finalised on Friday 1 October.

“Med-Trans is honoured to work with the team at Hospital Wing,” Montgomery remarks. “For 35 years, Hospital Wing has been an outstanding partner to its local communities, patients and citizens in the mid-south and surrounding areas. Hospital Wing shares many of our organisational values, placing focus on quality patient care and safety, and will be an incredible extension of the Med-Trans family.”

Hospital Wing CEO John Butora adds: “We are very excited to enter the next chapter of Hospital Wing's history with Med-Trans. Both organisations share an extreme devotion to providing the highest standard of care to our patients in the safest environment possible. It has been a privilege to serve Memphis and the mid-south for 35 years, and we look forward to serving our communities as part of the Med-Trans family for years to come.”

Josh Steele, previously the Hospital Wing director of clinical operations, is joining Med-Trans as a regional director.

“Hospital Wing was formed in 1986 through a consortium effort with four healthcare systems,” Steele says. “Today there are five air medical bases with locations in Memphis, Brownsville and Selmer, Tennessee, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Oxford, Mississippi. All locations fly the EC 130, and each crew consists of a highly skilled pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic.”

In addition, the Memphis programme features a helicopter for adult scene flights or interfacility transfers and a helicopter for paediatric flights - Pedi-Flite LeBonheur Children's Hospital.

Individual memberships will transfer to the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), an alliance of Global Medical Response companies including Air Evac Lifeteam, Guardian Flight, Med-Trans Corporation and REACH Air Medical Services, representing America’s largest air ambulance membership network. Keith Hovey, vice president of AMCN, said no action is required for Hospital Wing members.

“Individual members will automatically receive the AMCN membership benefits at no additional cost for their current membership term.” Hovey comments. “Members will receive a renewal notice approximately 45 days prior to their annual renewal date.”

AMCN members are covered by 320 participating air medical locations across 38 states. Members have no out-of-pocket expenses in connection with all life or limb-threatening transports provided by Air Evac Lifeteam, Guardian Flight, Med-Trans Corporation and REACH Air Medical Services. An AMCN membership covers everyone who lives with the member at his or her primary residence.

“An AirMedCare Network membership provides financial peace of mind, and we welcome Hospital Wing members to the AMCN family,” Hovey concludes.