Expanded air medical service strengthens critical care access across southern New Mexico 
ARTESIA, NM – July 24, 2025 – Emergency air medical program Native Air celebrated the opening of its newest base at Artesia General Hospital with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 23. The event welcomed more than 75 guests to recognize the expanded access to lifesaving care the new base brings to Eddy County and surrounding communities.  

“It is an honor to stand here today to celebrate a partnership that truly puts patients first,” said Jim Burt, regional sales director for Air Methods, the parent company of Native Air. “Through the collaboration between Artesia General Hospital and Air Methods, we brought advanced air medical care to the heart of this community, and we’ve done it with a commitment to transparency, advocacy, and accessibility.” 

This new base, Native Air 24, expands the reach of Native Air’s robust critical care ecosystem across southern New Mexico, joining its sister bases in Carlsbad, Roswell, Alamogordo, Las Cruces, Deming, and Silver City.  

“The Native Air guys have always been there for us,” said Artesia General Hospital CEO Dr. Joe Salgado, as he reflected on the longstanding relationship with Native Air, which has been transporting patients to and from the hospital for two decades from its Carlsbad base. “We want to thank you guys for all the care that you bring. It’s all about quality and who provides the best care. We’ll always stand with that, and we have it with Air Methods and Native Air.” 

Native Air 24 allows for faster response times to emergency calls across Eddy County, offering 24/7 care for patients suffering from trauma events, heart attacks, strokes, pediatric emergencies, burns, motor vehicle accidents, and more. It also provides critical interfacility transport for patients needing to move between hospitals for specialized care.  Operating a new EC130 T2 helicopter equipped with advanced medical equipment and medications, Native Air 24 functions as a flying ICU. The industry-leading flight nurses and paramedics carry whole blood that they can administer at a trauma scene or in flight, significantly increasing positive outcomes for patients. 

Native Air is part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, which is in-network with most health insurance providers. Air Methods also boasts a patient advocacy program that works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to help ensure the affordability of air medical services. 

“Through this partnership, we’re not just flying patients—we are standing beside them every step of the way. Included in that is our patients’ financial well-being, “said Burt. “Thanks to the federal “No Surprises Act,” [which prohibits patients from being charged more than is outlined in their insurance policies] and our shared commitment to patient advocacy, families no longer have to choose between emergency care and financial peace of mind.”