Northwest MedStar

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Northwest MedStar was a non-profit medical transport company headquartered in Spokane, Washington with bases in Spokane and the Tri-Cities, Washington area. The company serviced the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana, transporting critical-care patients using its fleet of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ambulances.

## History

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Northwest Medstar Eurocopter EC135 over Spokane

In 1994 Providence Health Care merged with Empire Health Services, creating Inland Northwest Health Services.[1][2] Through this merger, the companies air ambulance services were also merged, creating Northwest MedStar.[1][2] Also in 1994, the company partnered with Metro Aviation for operation services.[2][3]

In 1996, Northwest MedStar became accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).[3]

In October 2009, Northwest MedStar took over management of AirLink Critical Care Transport, owned by Cascade Healthcare Community.[2] In 2009, Eveline Bisson, a director at the company, was named Program Director of the Year by the national Association of Air Medical Services.[2]

In 2012, the company earned the air medical industry's Program of the Year award.[3][4][5] Also that year, Northwest MedStar earned the Communicator of the Year Award for the work of Stephen Thompson.[5]

In September 2015, the company hired Matt Albright as its new director.[6] In 2016, Life Flight Network purchased the company from Inland.[1]

MedStar offered a membership program allowing families to cover any emergency flights during the year for one price.[2]

## Locations

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Northwest MedStar operated multiple bases in:

* Spokane[1][3]
* Pullman, WA[1][3]
* Moses Lake[1][3]
* Richland, WA[1][3]
* Brewster, WA[1][3]
* Missoula, MT[1][3]

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Alexander, Rachel (16 March 2016). "Oregon-based Life Flight to take over Northwest MedStar | The Spokesman-Review". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
2. ^ a b c d e f Crompton, Kim (11 February 2010). "NW MedStar maintains steady climb > Spokane Journal of Business". Spokane Journal of Business. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "New Air Medical Helicopter Arrives At Northwest MedStar". KHQ Right Now. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
4. ^ "Northwest MedStar to Open Base in Brewster | The Quad City Herald". Quad City Herald. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
5. ^ a b "Business Beat | The Spokesman-Review". The Spokesman Review. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
6. ^ "Northwest MedStar hires new director". Poughkeepsie Journal. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 2020-09-01.

## External links

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* Inland Northwest Health Services: Northwest Medstar
* Life Flight