James “Jim” Houser, along with his expansive team of amazing critical care providers, puts the “care” in critical care air ambulance service at STAT Medevac. STAT MedEvac is a critical care transport system and is the clinical arm of the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania (CEM). It has evolved into one of the largest single operated and dispatched air-medical transport systems in the United States with its operation of eighteen helicopter base sites and critical care ground base in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
On Nov. 1, 2020, Houser stepped into his role as UPMC’s president and CEO of CEM, and the opportunities have taken flight since then from the evolution of being a volunteer EMT/firefighter out of high school to his life calling as a leader at CEM.
Houser’s journey throughout the public safety sector has soared through opportunities and challenges and ignited through his efforts as a volunteer firefighter/EMT first, and he eventually landed a job in the communication center at STAT MedEvac. From there he held several positions with STAT MedEvac and also with MedFlight (Columbus, Ohio), another leader in critical care transport. He rejoined CEM in 2016 as senior director, medical operations, and chief clinical officer. Before jumping aboard, he served as a vice president at MedFlight.
“Witnessing a STAT MedEvac helicopter crew when I was a volunteer EMT was an important step to getting where I am today,” says Houser. He focused on becoming a paramedic (later becoming an RN and then Nurse Practitioner). “Next thing you know, I was working in the communications center, which gave me my first opportunity with STAT MedEvac.”
With his new role as CEO, new opportunities have emerged at a slightly different capacity. Houser says, “I am fortunate enough for the opportunity to serve in this role and do some pretty cool things with great people.”
With the help of great influencers at STAT MedEvac, his new role continues to inspire in the public safety industry from direct care to the patient to the comradery of fellow coworkers. Houser says, “It’s such a unique opportunity to care for people as a critical care transport provider, and there’s a sense of comradery that translates to every part of the organization. We are all here to be the best at what we do- take care of the critical ill and injured.”
The team synergy of life-changing care helps to propel the entire force at STAT Medevac. In life’s most vulnerable and critical moments, STAT MedEvac helps to make a difference and change lives every day.
“The patient is someone’s mom, dad, aunt, uncle, son, or any family member for that matter. We make an impact by giving them the best care on their worst day,” says Houser. “With that responsibility and care creates magic that can hopefully bring that person back to their grandchildren for a holiday or to see their daughter’s wedding.”
Putting the “care” in critical care air ambulance service is a life calling that others achieve together throughout the emergency care network and along the leadership of its newest STAT MedEvac CEO James “Jim” Houser.