posted October 06, 2025

Air Medical Team Reunites with Former Patients, Reflecting on Thousands of Lives Impacted

GETTYSBURG, PA – Oct. 6, 2025 – Air Methods’ WellSpan WellFlight, a trusted air medical provider based in Gettysburg, celebrated five years of lifesaving service on Friday, Oct. 3, with a special anniversary event. Held at the WellFlight base at the Adams County Emergency Services Center, the celebration brought together former patients and their families, community members, and local partners to honor this important milestone.

A highlight of the event was the reunion between former patient Ethan Shank and the flight clinicians, Nurse Melanie Lewis and Paramedic Caitlin Dussler, who provided his critical care after a serious car accident in May. Shank fell asleep at the wheel following a full day of activities, causing him to crash into a ditch and head-on into a tree at nearly 60 MPH. Though he was able to crawl out from the wreckage, he sustained a tear in his small intestine that required immediate intervention. WellFlight provided his rapid transport and ICU-level care on the way to Hershey Hospital, where Shank would spend less than three weeks. By the end of June, he was back to playing soccer and baseball full-time.

“We’re so thankful to not only be here to celebrate WellFlight’s anniversary, but to give thanks to the flight clinicians who provided his critical care that day,” said Matt Shank, Ethan’s father. “We appreciate everything they did for Ethan.”

Five years ago, Air Methods and WellSpan Health, an integrated health system, partnered to provide critical care air medical transport to the communities of central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Since opening, WellFlight has provided critical care to more than 2,000 patients, becoming an indispensable part of the region’s emergency medical system.

“WellFlight has been an outstanding partner in our mission to deliver the highest level of emergency care. Their expertise, speed, and dedication make a real difference when lives are on the line,” said Brian Wheeler, Executive Director and Chief of Adams Regional EMS. “Our partnership ensures that our patients receive exceptional care from the scene to the hospital.”

Serving as a vital link to the region, WellFlight has a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) team that works in tandem with WellSpan York Hospital’s Level 1 Regional Resource Trauma Center and is one of only four Air Methods air medical bases in the Northeast equipped to provide neonatal CPAP. Additionally, they are a balloon pump specialty base.

“With these specialty capabilities, our service area is extensive,” said Jesse Weller, flight paramedic and one of the original team members who helped launch the base. “We routinely fly missions throughout Pennsylvania and neighboring states.”

WellFlight’s ongoing investment in the region continues to make a profound, lifesaving impact. In 2024, the team began carrying and administering whole blood, a gold standard in trauma care. This advancement has proven especially beneficial for moderately to severely injured patients, including those with traumatic brain injuries. Former patients Kyle Hoover and Karen Bowling, both of whom attended the anniversary event, received blood transfusions during transport and are living testaments to WellFlight’s lifesaving impact.

Most recently, WellFlight added the AutoPulse® NXT, an automated CPR device that provides continuous chest compressions during flight, allowing clinicians to perform additional lifesaving interventions. These investments are part of WellFlight’s commitment to partnering with local first responders and hospitals to further improve patient outcomes.

In addition to providing high-quality care, WellFlight in-network with most major insurance providers. Their patient advocacy program also works directly with patients and families, regardless of insurance status, to ensure access to care remains affordable and stress-free. Prepaid memberships are not required with any Air Methods provider.