AIRHeart, Sacred Heart Health System’s air ambulance service, has been awarded the Igor Sikorsky Award for Humanitarian Service for its role in airlifting critically ill patients and exhausted staff from New Orleans hospitals after Hurricane Katrina.

The award is given yearly by Helicopter Association persons and organizations which best demonstrate the value of helicopters in saving lives, protecting property and aiding those in distress.

AIRHeart was recognized for its participation in relief efforts for New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina this past fall. AIRHeart crew members aided in the evacuation of patients and staff from Tulane University Medical Center and transported them to hospitals in Pensacola and Lafayette, La.

Participating crew members included Tim Keohane, RN; Dave Dunlap, paramedic; Dan McDonald, pilot; Karen Tayes, RN; Chuck Jeter, paramedic; and Chuck Lancaster, pilot.

Following the hurricane, AirHeart, Coast Guard and other civilian helicopters landed on rooftops and parking garages to evacuate medical facilities that were flooded and without power. Helicopters also were instrumental in airlifting food, water, supplies and emergency responders to the flooded city.

“I am very proud of the AIRHeart Program and the men and women who give so much back to their communities and to their program,” said Ron Mosley, regional transport program manager for Sacred Heart Health System. “We also have the support from administrative staff including Bill McLaughlin, Debbie Bostic, Joana Adams and the entire Sacred Heart Health System that provides us with the means to help so many people.”

AIRHeart is dedicated to transporting critically ill or injured patients to health care facilities throughout Northwest Florida, with two helicopters based in Walton County and Marianna, Florida.

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