06/04/09
DENVER, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:
AIRM), the largest air medical transportation company in the world, announced
today an agreement with Saint Francis Health System and St. John Health System
in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to assume full operation of the Tulsa Life Flight air
medical program. This represents the first expansion of Air Methods'
community-based model in the state of Oklahoma.
Effective June 1, 2009, Tulsa Life Flight expanded its services in Eastern
Oklahoma with eventual placement of three helicopters within a 50-mile radius
of Saint Francis Hospital and St. John Medical Center, extending air ambulance
service to more communities in the area. Air Methods will operate a Eurocopter
AS350 single-engine aircraft based in Pryor, Oklahoma, and a BK-117
twin-engine helicopter based in Keefton, Oklahoma. A third operating base
location is being finalized. Under the new agreement, Air Methods will
continue to supply the helicopters, pilots and maintenance of the aircraft,
and now also employ the medical personnel. Air Methods and its subsidiary have
worked in partnership with Saint Francis Health System and St. John Health
System to operate Tulsa Life Flight as a hospital-based program since 1979.
Aaron Todd, CEO, stated, "We know these services are vital to Eastern
Oklahoma communities and we are pleased to have finalized the expansion
initiatives. Tulsa Life Flight has been a vital part of the community since
1979 and we look forward to continuing to provide a high level of safe,
quality patient care to the citizens."
Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is a leader in emergency air
medical transportation and medical services. The Hospital-Based Services
Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for
hospitals. The Community-Based Services Division is the largest
community-based provider of air medical services. The Products Division
specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace
technology. The Company's fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft
features over 300 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain
forward-looking statements, which are subject to various risks and
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently
anticipated due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the size,
structure and growth of the Company's air medical services and products
markets; the collection rates for patient transports; the continuation and/or
renewal of air medical service contracts; the acquisition of profitable
Products Division contracts and other flight service operations; the
successful expansion of the community-based operations; and other matters set
forth in the Company's public filings.
CONTACTS: Aaron D. Todd, Chief Executive Officer, (303) 792-7413. Please
contact Christine Clarke at (303) 792-7579 to be included on the Company's fax
and/or mailing list.
SOURCE Air Methods Corporation
-0- 06/04/2009
/CONTACT: Aaron D. Todd, Chief Executive Officer, +1-303-792-7413; or
Christine Clarke, +1-303-792-7579, both of Air Methods Corporation/
/Web Site: http://www.airmethods.com /
(AIRM)
CO: Air Methods Corporation; Saint Francis Health System; St. John Health
System
ST: Colorado, Oklahoma
IN: AIR HEA MEQ MTC TRN
SU:
PR
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0923 06/04/2009 13:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com