MedEvac
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN)–MedEvac is proud to provide air and ground transportation for critically ill and injured people in northeast Pennsylvania.
Based in the Lehigh Valley, we provide patients access to LVHN’s premier Level 1 trauma center, Level 2 pediatric trauma center, Pennsylvania’s first Comprehensive Stroke Center and the region’s only American Burn Association (ABA)-verified Burn Center.
Efficient communications and advanced technologies allow our team to respond quickly and safely to critical situations. We are specially trained for critical care medical transport and keep ambulances, aircraft and equipment ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Experience is our greatest asset.
Our History – Decades of innovation and service
Since 1981, MedEvac has cared for more than 90,000 patients. We were the second air medical transport service in Pennsylvania and the first in northeast Pennsylvania. In 2013, we launched our critical care ground transport service. Today, all MedEvac vehicles are staffed by experienced critical care professionals capable of administering care beyond the scope of advance life support (ALS) ambulances.
Fleet size and coverage area
MedEvac operates four helicopters and one ambulance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A second ambulance is on duty 12 hours a day. Both our air and ground transport programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).
The geographical coverage area for MedEvac includes eastern Pennsylvania and southeastern New York.
Clinical capabilities
Our teams transport adult, pediatric and neonatal patients who need care for everything from traumatic injuries to emergency cardiac and respiratory care. This includes:
- Acute cardiac disease or illness
- Burns
- Critical care (medical emergencies requiring specialized care)
- Emergencies threatening life or limb
- Gastrointestinal emergencies
- Neurological illnesses
- Pediatric emergencies
- Perinatal emergencies
- Respiratory illnesses
- Traumatic injuries
- Vascular emergencies
Our clinical capabilities include advanced airway and ventilator management, life support medications and the ability to transport cardiac assist devices including ventricular assist devices, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and intra-aortic balloon pumps. All our vehicles carry whole blood to treat life-threatening bleeding.
Equipment on board includes:
- Critical care transport patient monitors
- IV pumps
- Video laryngoscopes
- Point of care ultrasound
- Mechanical ventilators
Safety culture
MedEvac promotes a culture of safety throughout our organization. We do this through ongoing training, a crew-led safety council and partnering with outside agencies to stay current with industry standards.
Landing zone safety
Visit the Air Methods website for detailed information about selecting and setting up a safe landing zone.
Training and education
The nature of our roles necessitates ongoing education, so the MedEvac clinical care transport crew members are continually engaged in educational activities. Each year they complete skills day, rotations with our medical directors, safety education and simulation lab sessions. Quarterly they learn about advanced airway competencies.
Follow us online
Follow us on Facebook at LVHN Medevac and Instagram @lvhn_medevac_official.
Our leadership team
- Bryan Evans, Director, MedEvac/Critical Care/Emergency Transport
- Adam Garger, Manager, MedEvac/Critical Care Transport Operations
- Joseph Rycek, Chief Flight Nurse
- Jeffrey Kuklinski, DO, Medical Director/Chief, Division of EMS
- Zach Matuzsan, DO, Associate Medical Director
- Amy Lindmark, DO, Associate Medical Director-Pediatrics
- Brian Francis, Program Area Manager (Air Methods)
- Matt Doddy, Program Lead Mechanic
Team Leaders
- Matt Feller, CFRN, Communications, Transfer Center and Aviation
- Richard Becker, FP-C, IT/Systems
- Matthew Meade, CFRN, Clinical Operations
- James Kish, CFRN, Fleet/Ground Operations
- Mark Diubaldo, CFRN, Clinical data and quality
- Mariah Palmer, CFRN, Education coordinator
- Jen Cervenka, Supplies and Fleet Maintenance
