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So far STAT MedEvac Staff has created 206 blog entries.

Congratulations Jeffrey Pesarick

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, […]

Congratulations Jeffrey Pesarick2026-06-02T18:41:21-04:00

CPR & AED Awareness Week

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.

  • Each year, more than 350,000 EMS-assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur nationwide.
  • According to the American Heart Association, nearly 90% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital don’t survive.
  • Immediate CPR and rapid use of an AED can double or even triple the patient’s chance of survival. Even hands-only CPR can significantly improve outcomes.

The importance of CPR & AED Awareness […]

CPR & AED Awareness Week2026-06-02T13:11:53-04:00

PEMF Wants Your Uncommon or Unique Patient Care Experiences

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 […]

PEMF Wants Your Uncommon or Unique Patient Care Experiences2026-06-01T22:21:49-04:00

National EMS Week

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 […]

National EMS Week2026-05-12T17:35:43-04:00

3rd Annual Western PA Legends of EMS

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 […]

3rd Annual Western PA Legends of EMS2026-05-15T08:56:11-04:00

STAT AirPOD – Planning for the NFL Draft/Marathon

STAT AirPod Dr Lenny Weiss NFL Draft

Dr. Lenny Weiss, STAT MedEvc’s Assistant Medical Director, joins the podcast to recap the planning of 2 large back-to-back events.  The 2026 NFL Draft and the Pittsburgh Marathon were recent large events that required intensive multi-agency planning.

STAT AirPOD – Planning for the NFL Draft/Marathon2026-05-11T22:36:22-04:00

A Legacy in the Skies: How a Father Inspired His Son’s Path to STAT MedEvac

Some careers are planned. Others take flight through inspiration. For Ian Cieslak, that inspiration came from watching his father, David, build a life in aviation.

David has spent the past eleven years working as an Aviation Records Coordinator at STAT MedEvac, but his connection to aviation goes back much further. A lifelong aviation enthusiast who earned his private pilot certificate in 2011, David turned his passion into a career after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in 2002. Over the years, he’s worked as an airline mechanic and remained deeply connected to the field he always loved.

Growing up, Ian had the benefit of seeing firsthand what his father did for a living and was no stranger to aviation, but it wasn’t always the path he imagined for himself. “I always enjoyed flying,” Ian said, “But it wasn’t necessarily something I had any career interest in.”
While that exposure didn’t immediately spark […]

A Legacy in the Skies: How a Father Inspired His Son’s Path to STAT MedEvac2026-04-30T08:16:25-04:00

Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. A time to become a little more educated, show support, and celebrate the differences that make people unique. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and included. STAT MedEvac acknowledges the importance of supporting one another in the air and on the ground. This month is a great reminder that small actions can make a big impact when it comes to understanding and acceptance.

Wear Blue, Show Support

Throughout April, our team members are welcome to wear a blue shirt under their flight suit to help raise awareness. It’s a simple way to show support and maybe even start a conversation about the importance of honoring the month. Blue is the most associated with autism awareness. It represents calmness, understanding, and acceptance, and an easy way to show that we support inclusion and neurodiversity.

Autism Awareness Month […]

Autism Awareness Month2026-04-17T00:14:16-04:00

Welcome our new Hires April 2026

As we spring into a new season, we’re excited to introduce the new members of the STAT MedEvac staff.

Back Row – David Jackson Jr, Flight Medic ME 19 – Colt Coffman, Flight Medic ME 19 – Mark McAlpine, CCGU/Flight Medic – Thomas Snodgrass, Flight Nurse ME 19 = Scott Coulter CCGU/ Flight Nurse

Front Row – Andie Rabe, Flight Paramedic ME 19 – Dominic Bianchi, Flight Medic ME 14 – Kelly Wiggins, Flight Nurse – Hannah Temple, Flight Nurse ME 19 – Savannah Henderson, Flight Medic ME 14

Welcome our new Hires April 20262026-04-01T12:29:33-04:00
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