posted April 04, 2026

CAMDEN, SC – April 3, 2026 – Just over one year ago, Steve Melton and his family didn’t know if he would survive the night but thanks to the crew of LifeNet of South Carolina 2 in Camden, S.C., he was able to get to the right level of care. On March 31, Melton was able to visit LifeNet 2’s base at Woodward Field in Camden and thank the flight nurse and pilot that got him to Columbia.

With his wife, daughter, and two granddaughters at his side, Melton met with lead pilot Brendon Gari and flight nurse Mary Beth Dockery, as well as the on-duty crew, for a period of hugs, stories, and laughter. In appreciation of their actions that day, Melton presented the crew with custom travel mugs featuring a photo of the LifeNet 2 aircraft.

“It’s a humbling experience to have somebody like Steve come back and say thank you,” said Gari. “We don’t usually get the chance to see patients after the transport, so this just solidifies why we do what we do.”

On March 29, 2025, Melton found himself at the emergency room with a severe stomach infection that required immediate transport to MUSC Columbia and that is when LifeNet 2 came to the rescue. While it was just an everyday transport for the medical crew, it meant the world to Melton and his family.

“They will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Melton. “Without them, I don’t think I could have made it.”

Once in Columbia, Melton was on life support for three days, followed by three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit and another five weeks in the hospital before he was able to head home. Now retired, he spends his days on his tractor and pontoon boat just enjoying life.

While Melton said that money means nothing to him when it comes to being around for him family, he made sure to thank LifeNet of South Carolina’s parent company Air Methods as well. After working with the Patient Business Services, his account was covered in full, allowing him to focus on his recovery instead of trying to figure out how to pay for his care.

“I just can’t thank y’all enough,” added Melton.

As an in-network provider for most of the major national and state of South Carolina insurance providers, Air Methods has four aircraft in the state of South Carolina with several more in neighboring North Carolina and Georgia. Their Patient Advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to make sure that any out-of-pocket costs are affordable to them and do not require any memberships as part of this advocacy.