Tom Williams gave thanks to those who helped him beat the clock
Seneca Falls, NY. – August 21, 2026 – After surviving a cardiac arrest while competing in the Musselman Half Triathlon in Geneva, N.Y., Tom Williams, an EMS Director from Queensbury, N.Y., had a special reunion on Thursday with the LifeNet air medical crew who helped save his life.
On July 9, 2023, while competing in the Musselman Half Ironman triathlon in Geneva, N.Y., Tom Williams of Queensbury, N.Y., suffered a cardiac arrest. His wife, Hillary, immediately began CPR with the help of another bystander until fellow racers and EMS crews arrived. Because of the severity of his condition, the LifeNet of New York team transported Tom to a critical care hospital for advanced care.
“I’m just grateful that LifeNet got me to the hospital really quickly,” Williams said. “That’s why I am able to continue to still be doing things. I got really good on scene care and really rapid transport. That’s really huge when you’re talking about issues like mine.”
LifeNet 7-12 is based in Seneca Falls, a short distance from Geneva, where the triathlon was taking place. He was rapidly transported by ambulance to the waiting helicopter for the flight to Rochester. LifeNet’s helicopter functions like a flying ICU, carrying best-in-class flight nurses and paramedics equipped with the medications and tools needed to provide hospital-level care in the air for victims of cardiac, stroke, trauma, and other medical emergencies. LifeNet is part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading emergency air medical service provider.
“With bases strategically located across the state, LifeNet of New York is able to quickly bring advanced care to patients facing emergencies like Tom’s,” said LifeNet of New York Account Executive Amber Hontz. “Seeing Tom thriving today is a powerful reminder of the difference our crews make when every second counts.”
In this type of heart attack, every second counts. The rapid response of Williams’ wife and bystanders to provide CPR, to the paramedics, to the rapid transport from the LifeNet Team helped not only save Williams’s life, but also contributed to his exceptional recovery. He was eager to bring his wife and young son to thank them for the role they played in his positive outcome.
“Being able to actually come back and meet [the crew] who were taking care of me and that I was alive to get to the hospital was a really gratifying experience,” said Williams. “Being able to talk to them and thank them and meet them and see who they are is a great experience.”
Williams’s visit to the base was very meaningful to the crew members who rarely get to hear how their patients recover after being delivered to the hospital. Seeing how well he is doing and celebrating her recovery helped them see firsthand the difference they make to the community. And with his connection to the medical community, being an EMS Director in Eastern New York, he knew that he quality of care he received.
“I work with LifeNet providers on a professional basis and I know the quality they bring to every call and having them to look over me as I was being transported to the hospital was amazing,” said Williams. “You know that you’re in good hands when you’re being taken care of by the LifeNet providers.”
Incidents like this can cause concerns about medical expenses, but thanks to the No Surprises Act, which went into effect in 2022, insured patients are protected from unexpected bills. They cannot be charged more than their copay, coinsurance, deductible, or maximum out-of-pocket expenditure—including for emergency air medical transport. The Air Methods patient advocacy program works directly with patients to navigate financial assistance options, regardless of insurance coverage.
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About Air Methods:
Life Net is part of Air Methods (airmethods.com), the nation’s leading air medical service, delivering lifesaving care to approximately 100,000 people every year. With over 45 years of experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. Air Methods Ascend is the company’s clinical education program, allowing critical care nurses and paramedics best-in-class training opportunities using high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality, and cadaver labs.
When our crew is dispatched to an extremely rural location, they find a patient who has fallen from an A-frame ladder and been impaled in the chest by a large piece of rebar. With impalements, any movement or removal of the object can create serious complications, so the team must carefully transport him to a setting where removal and treatment can occur safely. Listen in as our crew coordinates with first responders, prepares their equipment, and communicates precisely to ensure the best outcome. In this unusual case, the patient is both very unlucky and extraordinarily lucky. We’re joined by Jennifer A. Beckett NREMT-P AAS, Cole Diercks BSN, RN, CFRN, and Steven Johnson NREMT-P.
Interested in obtaining CE credit for this episode? Visit OnlineAscend.com to learn more. Listeners can purchase individual episode credits or subscribe to the Critical Care Review Bundle and gain access to all episode CE Credits.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-61-mise-en-place-staging-the-chaos. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
Our crew was dispatched to a high-energy rollover MVC with a patient ejection, a situation that typically demands aggressive trauma protocols. But what happens when the patient is equipped with a HeartMate II, a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) that pumps blood for failing hearts? The irony is that this extremely sophisticated medical device, which keeps the patient alive, also prevents our team from gathering traditional vital signs like a palpable pulse or standard blood pressure measurements. How does the team manage a trauma resuscitation when the patient’s circulation is continuous flow rather than a heartbeat? The answer lies in going back to the basics of trauma care. We’re joined by Chelsea Putman, FP-C, and Robert Steele, RN.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-60-no-pulse-no-problem. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
When Flight Paramedic Daniel Sanders joined the AirLife 12 fixed wing team in Pensacola, FL, he never imagined he’d one day fly his own father. However, on July 18, 2025, 70-year-old Kenneth Sanders needed to be transported from the Panama City, Florida HCA hospital to Orlando Regional Medical Center due to complications from a rare form of genetic pancreatitis. With severe abdominal pain, weakness, and the need for a feeding tube to be placed, doctors didn’t think Sanders would tolerate the six-hour drive, so they called AirLife 12 for a one-and-a-half-hour plane flight to Orlando.
“I always talked to my dad about my job, but I don’t think he truly understood all the logistics and how it comes together until he saw it as a patient,” said Daniel Sanders, who helped arrange the flight and was onboard as a third rider.
It was the first time Kenneth Sanders had been in a plane since 1979, when a flight through severe turbulence kept him firmly on the ground for the next 46 years.
“I wasn’t going to fly without Daniel, but it was a good experience,” said Kenneth Sanders. “It was a smoother flight and a smoother landing than I expected. I enjoyed looking out the window, and it gave me comfort to have Dan on the flight with me.”
Fixed wing air medical planes are an important part of the Air Methods fleet. They are able to fly longer distances and in a wider variety of weather conditions than our helicopters. They can frequently carry more weight, allowing for more or larger pieces of medical equipment, as well as family members, to be on board. Air Methods has both a fixed wing and a rotor wing aircraft based in Pensacola, highlighting the value of both assets.
While admitted to Orlando Regional Medical Center for 15 days, Kenneth Sanders was able to see an advanced gastroenterologist, have a feeding tube placed, and receive more comprehensive pain management, none of which were available in Panama City.
“Although it is a genetic condition, his pancreatitis did not appear until three years ago. However, it is likely to cause issues again in the future,” said Daniel Sanders. “Because this flight went so smoothly, I am thankful that he is willing to be transported by the fixed wing again if he ever needs it.”
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AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-59-scales-of-uncertainty. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
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AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-58-the-muck-and-the-mechanism. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
In an incredible twist of irony, this month’s case focuses on our flight crew loading into their helicopter to be dispatched to… a patient who has fallen out of a helicopter. From a height of approximately 40 feet and at a speed of 30 knots, our patient has an abundance of injuries, which requires our team to remember their axiom: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” This episode also introduces an important question: How do we intervene in different kinds of shock? Our patient had three different kinds: Hemorrhagic, neurogenic, and obstructive shock. Listen in as our guest, along with our panel, deconstructs one of the rarest cases in AMPED history. We’re joined by Matthew Habbe NREMT-P.
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A common aphorism in the medical community comes from Dr. Theodore Woodward who said in the 1940s, “When you hear hoofbeats behind you, think of horses, not zebras.” It’s a way of reminding medical practitioners that the most common explanation is usually correct. In other words, Occam’s Razor is usually correct. But what happens when the most common explanation isn’t correct? What happens when you turn around and find a zebra looking at you? In this month’s episode, our team finds a pediatric patient who seems to have had a stroke. Stroke is very uncommon in children, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. Listen in as our team starts with the basics, analyzes the feedback, and arrives at their conclusion. We’re joined by Maria Milagros Galardi and William McCray, RN.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-56-the-zebra-call. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
Extreme weather once again plays an important factor in this month’s case where our team comes upon a car accident victim who has a litany of injuries that make care extremely challenging, even in optimal conditions. Featuring a pilot for the first time ever in AMPED history, we hear from our clinicians about how to give our patient the best shot at survival, and from our pilot about the many considerations he has to make in order to expedite his arrival at a care facility. Hear these unique insights in this fascinating episode of AMPED. We’re joined by Danica Mainridge RN, BSN, CEN, CPEN, CCRN, CFRN; Megan Thompson, RN, MSN, MBA, CEN, CFRN, TCRN, TNS, CES-A; and Mikaele Kerner, Helicopter Pilot.
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Stormy skies or sunny days, Air Methods is always ready to respond. Inclement weather can complicate patient transport, but with our deep expertise, diverse resources, and commitment to safety, we work tirelessly to get all patients the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.
If weather conditions prevent aircraft from flying, our work does not stop. Call us anytime, and our team will walk through available options with you to guide the best next step. When necessary, we coordinate ground transport to ensure every patient still receives timely, critical care.
We understand how important it is to stay informed during patient transport. That is why our team provides:
Our FAA-recognized Safety Management System reflects a strong safety culture that guides every decision we make. Advanced protocols allow us to protect both our patients and our crews, ensuring that no matter the challenge, safety remains our top priority.
Together, the highly trained teams in our Operational Control Center and AirCom dispatch play an essential role in our operations, our safety infrastructure, and in helping find the right transport solution.
Our Operational Control Center uses a range of advanced technologies to predict and track weather conditions. This enables crews to plan ahead and remain prepared even when the forecast changes unexpectedly.
When weather rolls in, we work to find solutions.
No two transport situations are the same, which is why our diverse fleet is designed to handle a variety of scenarios.
Day or night, rain or shine, Air Methods is committed to supporting all communities with rapid response and exceptional patient care every day of the year. When weather strikes, we are a partner you can trust to help navigate the next steps and keep every patient moving safely. To learn more about our safety technologies and programs, visit our safety page here.
A car accident on the highway sees the vehicle rollover nine times and ejects our patient out of the vehicle with a multitude of life threatening injuries. Our team refers to our patient as the sickest trauma patient any of them had ever seen. The outlook is very bleak, but our team perseveres and gives every effort to help increase the patient’s odds of survival. While not ultimately successful, this episode provides critical insight and valuable lessons learned from our team about how important providing the very best care is, even when the cause appears lost. We’re joined by Mark Fowler NRP, FP-C.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-53-beyond-the-protocol-a-trauma-teams-enduring-final-commitment. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.