How important is it to have a good LZ brief? Should it be long? Should it be brief? Are strobe lights helpful or not helpful when it comes to night vision goggles? Thanks to David McWilliams, Chief, Richland V.F.D and STAT MedEvac Pilot, Robert Paugh for the LZ discussion. Make sure you contact Cindy Snyder to get your department’s LZ class.
Pictured: Charlene Malecki, Hollee Russell, Marion Jones, Jim Houser
This month, Marion Jones was honored with the Jim Flaherty Excellence of Service Award.
The Jim Flaherty Excellence of Service Award recognizes a STAT MedEvac medical crew member who demonstrates exceptional service, innovation, leadership, and dedication to the organization, community, and profession.
Nominees:
Marion consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing the mission of STAT MedEvac. Through her forward-thinking approach, she improves operational efficiency, enhances patient care processes, and supports safe, high-quality care across the organization. She works tirelessly to balance the needs of leadership and frontline […]
STAT MedEvac is proud to expand access to advanced critical care transport throughout Northcentral Pennsylvania with the official launch of helicopter operations at UPMC Muncy.
On June 1, STAT MedEvac and UPMC leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of STAT MedEvac 19, a new helicopter base that will enhance emergency response capabilities for patients across Lycoming County and the surrounding region.
The addition of STAT MedEvac 19 strengthens our commitment to delivering rapid, high-quality critical care to patients when and where it is needed most. Staffed by a pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic, the aircraft is equipped to begin advanced medical treatment as soon as the crew reaches a patient. The service supports both scene responses and interfacility transports, helping connect patients more quickly to trauma centers, stroke care, cardiac services, and other specialized treatment resources.
“Today’s launch is an important milestone for emergency care in Northcentral Pennsylvania,” […]
Recently, EMS pioneer Ed Marasco was honored by the Western Pennsylvania EMS Legends organization for his remarkable 45-year career in emergency medical services and healthcare leadership. But Ed’s impact reaches far beyond Western Pennsylvania. As one of the visionary healthcare executives who helped launch STAT MedEvac more than four decades ago, his influence has helped shape the delivery of critical care medicine and air medical transport across the region and beyond. Join us as we celebrate Ed’s career, reflect on the early days of STAT MedEvac, and hear firsthand stories from a leader whose dedication has left a lasting mark on EMS and healthcare.
Recently, STAT MedEvac had the opportunity to recognize one of our team members for his heroic actions while off duty. While shopping with his family at Walmart, Michael Bedner responded to a medical emergency by performing CPR and helping save a life. We are grateful for his dedication to serving the public both on and off duty.
Pictured: Justin Renda from Outreach, Michael Bedner, ME1, and Jim Houser, CEM
We are thrilled to recognize Jeffrey Pesarick, a dedicated Flight Paramedic with STAT MedEvac ME5 Fayette County, on his recent achievement of earning a PhD in Epidemiology.
Jeffrey’s commitment to advancing his education while continuing to serve patients and communities through critical care transport is a true reflection of the passion, professionalism, and dedication embodied by our crews every day. His accomplishment not only represents years of hard work and perseverance but also highlights the important connection between frontline patient care and the ongoing advancement of public health and medical research.
Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services shared a touching tribute to Jeffrey’s accomplishments that we wanted to share: “We wish to extend our profound congratulations and heartfelt appreciation to Jeffrey Pesarsick, a truly exceptional individual whose dedication has left an indelible mark on our community and nation.
Jeffrey’s commitment to service is a cornerstone of his remarkable career. For many years, […]
As first responders and critical care healthcare providers, we understand the importance of early CPR and the use of AEDs. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding CPR and AED use is that only healthcare professionals or first responders should intervene during a cardiac emergency. As we all know, bystander intervention is often the deciding factor in whether someone survives.
CPR & AED Awareness Week serves as an important reminder that anyone, regardless of medical background, can make a life-saving difference by learning CPR and how to use an AED.
The importance of CPR & AED Awareness […]
STAT MedEvac is a proud supporter of the Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation. We have also been recipients of research grants over the years. Given that, we are and is eager to share the current EMS Case Report Grant Program that PEMF is currently working promoting.
The EMS Case Report Grant Program is designed to support and encourage prehospital clinicians, in Western Pennsylvania, to participate in research. The program aims to empower EMTs, paramedics, flight nurses, flight paramedics, and other EMS professionals to document and share unique or uncommon patient care experiences through peer-reviewed case reports.
Eligible applicants may have cared for patients with rare conditions, provided treatment in unusual environments, or encountered atypical responses to standard care that required specialized skills, equipment, or protocols. Through the program, clinicians partner with a local emergency physician to gather medical records, draft a manuscript, and submit their case report to a scientific journal. Submissions are […]
Emergency Medical Service professionals are the steady hands in chaos, the calm voices in crisis, and the lifeline when every second matters. During National EMS Week (May 17–23), we pause to recognize the dedication, resilience, and life-saving impact of EMS providers across the country. While their work deserves appreciation every single day, the path to building today’s EMS system is more recent and more remarkable than many realize.
Rewind to the 1950s, when the rise of highway travel brought a surge in serious car accidents. Emergency care outside the hospital was limited, and the system simply wasn’t equipped to handle the growing need. Physicians were stretched thin, often forced to juggle hospital responsibilities with emergency response. To fill the gap, funeral home workers, equipped with hearses and basic first aid knowledge, were called in to transport the injured.
The turning point came during the era of the Vietnam War, where military medics […]
On Thursday, May 7, the region gathered for the 3rd Annual Western PA Legends of EMS event to honor five distinguished leaders whose decades of service have helped shape emergency medical care across the region. Among those recognized was Edward R. Marasco, whose leadership played a key role in launching the STAT MedEvac program.
With more than 45 years of leadership and innovation in EMS and air medical services, Ed was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field. He began his career at just 16 years old as a volunteer with the White Oak Rescue Squad in 1978. From there, he quickly advanced, earning his EMT and Paramedic credentials, serving as Assistant Chief at McKeesport EMS, and helping launch STAT MedEvac through his early work with American Ambulance and the Center for Emergency Medicine.
Throughout his career, Ed held several major leadership positions at UPMC, where he served as Clinical Administrator […]
