posted July 11, 2025

Program has transported more than 20,000 patients across Georgia and South Carolina

SPRINGFIELD, GA, July 11, 2025 – LifeStar, the region’s trusted air medical program, recently marked a major milestone: 40 years of providing rapid, life-saving care to critically ill and injured patients throughout Georgia and South Carolina. The celebration brought together hospital partners, former patients, and community members to reflect on the program’s impact over the past four decades.LifeStar flew its first patient on July 1, 1985, fulfilling a need created when Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah became a Level 1 trauma center. Since then, the program has flown more than 20,000 patients and grown to two bases, with LifeStar 1 based in Springfield and LifeStar 2 based in Hinesville.

“Being able to join Memorial Health and the communities that LifeStar has served over the past 40 years is extremely humbling,” said Air Methods Senior Account Executive Patrick Lamontagne. “Our clinicians, pilots, and mechanics are truly the best in the industry, and we are extremely honored to be able to continue to serve the Georgia and South Carolina communities when they need us most.”

The festivities began on July 1 as LifeStar and Memorial University hosted a special ceremony to commemorate the program’s first flight. Leadership from Air Methods, the parent company of LifeStar, and HCA Memorial Health were in attendance, including Dr. Carl Boyd, who established the hospital’s trauma center and played a pivotal role in creating the LifeStar program.

“LifeStar went into service on July 1, 1985, thinking that maybe in a day or two, we would get a flight,” said Dr. Boyd. “Thirty minutes later, we made our first flight. Since the inception of Lifestar, more than 20,000 patients who have benefited from rapid transport and excellent care provided by nurses, paramedics, and brave pilots.”

Both LifeStar also hosted community celebrations the following week.

On July 8, LifeStar 1 in Springfield welcomed former patient Loy Graham and his wife. LifeStar 1 transported Graham in December 2020 after he fell off a tractor and was run over by the machine, resulting in severe injury to his back and pelvis. After waiting an hour for someone to hear his calls for help, LifeStar 1 was brought to the scene in Effingham County and provided blood in flight while transporting him to Memorial University in Savannah.

“I would say that LifeStar is the reason I am here today,” said Graham. “LifeStar is the best program available as far as I’m concerned.”

In Hinesville, LifeStar 2 received a visit from two-year-old Levi Pabon who was flown in March with severe burns after stepping on a pile of ash in the family’s yard. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where doctors and nurses were able to provide him with the initial care he needed but it was quickly determined that he would need LifeStar’s help to get to a burn center. After suffering second-degree burns on his left foot and third-degree burns on his right foot, Levi underwent multiple surgeries before reuniting with the crew.

“Leaving your child in the care of strangers is never an easy thing to do, especially during a time of tragedy, but the LifeStar crew eased our burden,” said Levi’s father Geraldo Pabon. “They gave us hope and showed immense care for us and our son. LifeStar meant the world to us when minutes mattered the most.”

LifeStar offers comprehensive critical care across all ages, from infants to seniors, encompassing cardiac, trauma, high-risk obstetrics, and various other serious medical conditions. They can also accommodate requests for intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) and Impella cardiac devices, as well as administer warm, humidified oxygen to address specific pulmonary complications necessitating advanced mechanical ventilation support. Both LifeStar 1 and LifeStar 2 carry and administer whole blood onboard every flight, which has been studied and proven to provide better outcomes for trauma patients.

Air Methods, LifeStar’s parent company, remains dedicated to serving the communities across Georgia, South Carolina, and beyond. All patients are protected by the No Surprises Act, which ensures patients don’t face unexpected out-of-network bills. Additionally, the Air Methods patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance status, to help ensure the affordability of air medical services.