posted June 20, 2024

Community joined current and past crew members and partners in celebration  

OMAHA, NE, June 20, 2024 – For 45 years, LifeNet of the Heartland has served Omaha and the surrounding area with life-saving care. In recognition of that milestone, many of those who have had a hand in the success of LifeNet 1-1 joined together in celebration at Falconwood Park on June 15.

“Among the first civil air medical programs in the country, LifeNet of the Heartland has shown unwavering commitment to this community,” said Derek Strohman, account executive for Air Methods, the parent company of LifeNet of the Heartland. “For 45 years, everyone from our nurses and paramedics to our pilots and mechanics have shown an unparalleled dedication to this program and we are so happy to help them celebrate this anniversary.”

Guests enjoyed a taco buffet and dessert while past and present crew members reminisced about the last 45 years. A selection of photos from nearly half a century, as along with a display of flight suits from over the years, highlighted the evolution of the base and the LifeNet program.

“It’s wonderful being able to celebrate the 45th anniversary of LifeNet 1-1 with the people who have made this program so successful,” said Air Methods Area Manager Mikele Wissing. “It also means a lot that this community has entrusted us to provide critical care when it’s needed the most. It shows how tied we are to the people of the Heartland.”

LifeNet 1-1 offers comprehensive critical care across all ages, from infants to seniors, encompassing cardiac, trauma, high-risk obstetrics, and various other serious medical conditions. Our specialized team can 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. Earlier this year, all LifeNet bases in Omaha began carrying whole blood, ensuring access to crucial components like red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and clotting factors for patients facing trauma or hemorrhagic shock.

“It is a privilege and honor to represent those who walked before us, those who set a solid foundation for the air medical industry to grow here in Omaha,” said Flight Nurse Jeremy Moore. “Being able to celebrate and pay homage to past and present teammates, and those who made and continue to make a difference by being ready to respond, makes us proud.”

Originally known as Life Flight, the program was founded in 1979 by Creighton University Medical Center as the ninth air medical program in the United States. The program merged with University of Nebraska Medical Center’s SkyMed in 1997 and in 2000, changed its name to LifeNet. Acquired by Air Methods in 2003, the program has grown to include bases in Norfolk, Columbus, Crete, Kearney, and North Platte.