News Releases

Memorial Hermann Life Flight Wins Statewide Service Award

Houston, Texas, January 3, 2005 – The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has once again designated Memorial Hermann Life Flight as the best of the best in awarding its annual Air Medical Service Award. Life Flight also received the Air Medical Service Award in 2001.

Three dozen emergency medical service and healthcare professionals nominated Life Flight for this prestigious award, praising the program’s exemplary service to patients throughout the Southeast Texas region.

DSHS officials presented the award during the recent Texas EMS Conference. A statewide team of medical professionals judged the nominations and selected Life Flight as the top air ambulance program in Texas.

“Emergency personnel respond at all hours of the day and night, in all kinds of weather to help save lives,” said conference coordinator Kelly Harrell. “These awards are one way the state can recognize emergency personnel and thank them for all their wonderful work.”

Serving a 150-mile radius around Houston, Memorial Hermann Life Flight transports more than 3,000 patients annually. Each helicopter is complete with advanced emergency equipment and medication and is staffed by a licensed pilot, a paramedic and a specialized flight nurse. Life Flight participation in medical studies led by organizations such as the University of Texas Medical School-Houston and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration enables essential research to be done.

“We are honored to receive this award, which is a testimony to Life Flight’s top-quality work and community service,” said Tom Flanagan, assistant vice president of emergency services at Memorial Hermann.

Established in 1976 by James “Red” Duke, M.D., Memorial Hermann Life Flight was one of the first emergency air ambulance services in the nation.

For more information, contact Media Relations.