holidays

Santa Visits UPMC Children’s Hospital in Harrisburg

STAT MedEvac is lucky enough to have Santa’s direct phone line, and we called him into work last week! Santa made a special visit to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Harrisburg, continuing a heartwarming tradition we started together years ago. We’re honored to help keep this joyful tradition going for many years to come. You can find the full article on TheBurgNews.com at Santa arrives to visit children at UPMC via MedEvac chopper – TheBurg.

Also thank you to FOX43 News for this coverage of Santa and his elf visiting the children. Santa brings holiday cheer to pediatric patients with helicopter visit.

Santa Visits UPMC Children’s Hospital in Harrisburg2025-12-22T10:59:10-05:00

National Wright Brothers Day

Wednesday, December 17th, is National Wright Brothers Day. Established in 1963 by Congress through a joint resolution, “Wright Brothers Day” is used to honor the brothers’ first successful powered flight that changed the history of aviation as we know it.

Orville and Wilbur Wright were American aviation pioneers credited with inventing and flying the world’s first successful airplane. Orville’s first flight was made on December 17, 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It lasted 12 seconds and 120 feet around the site of the Wright Brothers National Memorial in the Outer Banks.

While the brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, they were the first to invent aircraft controls. Their breakthrough invention was their creation of a three-axis control system, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and maintain its equilibrium. Their system of aircraft controls made fix-wing […]

National Wright Brothers Day2025-12-17T13:13:52-05:00

Blackout Wednesday

The holiday season is often seen as a time for gratitude, family traditions, and taking a break from the fast pace of daily life, but in recent years, a growing trend has cast a shadow over the start of the holidays with the night before Thanksgiving, now widely known as Blackout Wednesday.

As families prepare their holiday feasts and traditions, college students and young adults returning home for the holidays gather at packed bars to reconnect over a night of drinking. Gathering or having a drink isn’t the issue on its own, it is when the behavior is paired with binge drinking and driving under the influence, the risks escalate quickly.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). These numbers rise even more […]

Blackout Wednesday2025-11-10T11:00:37-05:00

National Aviation Day August 19th

Tuesday, August 19th, is National Aviation Day. Established in 1939 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who issued a presidential proclamation to recognize the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday.

Orville and Wilbur Wright were American aviation pioneers credited with inventing and flying the world’s first successful airplane. Orville’s first flight was made on December 17, 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It lasted 12 seconds and 120 feet around the site of the Wright Brothers National Memorial in the Outer Banks.

While the brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, they were the first to invent aircraft controls. Their breakthrough invention was their creation of a three-axis control system, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and maintain its equilibrium. Their system of aircraft controls made fix-wing powered flight possible and remains standard on airplanes of all kinds.

We’re thankful for […]

National Aviation Day August 19th2025-07-29T08:20:06-04:00

National Wellness Month

 

Every August we celebrate National Wellness Month. Established in 2018, National Wellness Month emphasizes self-care and promotes well-being. The initiative aims to make wellness a priority, encouraging individuals to focus on physical, mental and emotional health through various practices and habits. There are three types of wellness: 

  1. Physical Wellness: Taking care of your body through exercise, proper nutrition, and regular medical check-ups. It’s about feeling good in your body and maintaining energy levels. 
  2. Emotional Wellness: Recognizing and managing your emotions effectively. Emotional wellness involves building resilience, fostering positive relationships, and finding healthy ways to cope with stress. 
  3. Mental Wellness: This pertains to cognitive health and includes aspects such as intellectual growth, creativity, and critical thinking. Engaging in activities that stimulate your mind, like reading or solving puzzles, can enhance mental wellness.

Remember to take a little time for yourself every […]

National Wellness Month2025-07-29T08:12:41-04:00

National Donate Life Month

In April we recognize National Donate Life Month. Every nine minutes someone joins the national transplant waiting list in the United States. Unfortunately, every day we lose 17 people on that list as they pass away waiting for an organ. It’s truly a sad statistic, but there is hope, thanks to organ donors.

Living donation is a transplant option that can reduce wait times on the transplant waiting list and save lives with those who are in end-stage liver or kidney failure. The liver has the unique ability to regrow in just a few months, giving both the donor and the recipient a fully functioning liver. In addition, we may be born with two kidneys, but our body is capable of living with only one, giving a fighting chance to a patient in need.

One final statistic, on average, […]

National Donate Life Month2025-04-09T14:18:58-04:00

National Cancer Prevention Month

February is observed as National Cancer Prevention Month. This month aims to raise awareness about cancer prevention and encourage individuals to take proactive steps to educate and reduce their risks when it comes to cancer.

Nearly 1.9 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do about hereditary risks that are not controllable, but there are steps that you can take to better your odds. By attending annual doctor appointments and talking to your doctor about your risk factors, you can learn more about the preventative steps that you would need to take in order to help avoid a cancer diagnosis.

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 40 percent of all cancer diagnoses can be linked to a preventable cause .While we can’t stop all forms of cancer, we can […]

National Cancer Prevention Month2025-02-26T10:43:09-05:00

National Donor Day

While February 14th is most known as Valentine’s Day, it’s also the day that we recognize National Donor Day, a day to raise awareness for the life-saving benefits of donation.

Started in 1998, National Donor Day was created by the Saturn Corporation and its partner, the United Auto Workers. It’s supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as many health groups. This day is not only about organ donation, but also the need for tissue, marrow, platelet and blood.

According to the Organ Donation Alliance, every 10 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list, consisting of more than 113,000 people, while 22 people die everyday waiting for an organ transplant. In addition, one in seven people entering a hospital require a blood transfusion.

Regardless of age or medical history, anyone can be a donor. […]

National Donor Day2025-02-11T10:24:17-05:00

National Cat Week: Cruiser the Stat Cat

When it comes to fire responders, they come in all shapes and sizes… Including the feline form! For National Cat Day, we wanted to feature an “employee” who is not only an employee favorite at Jefferson County 911, but a major morale booster. Allow us to introduce you to Cruiser!  

A Q/A with Cruiser the Cat: 

Stat: How long have you been working for Jefferson County 911? 

Cruiser: Since June of 2020. I  hold the title as youngest employee.  Deputy Director and 911 Coordinator, Chris Clark’s family cat had a litter of kittens and only one was left. The pandemic was in full swing, and Chris brought me to the 911 center to interact with the staff. They loved me so much that I have been here ever since.  

 

Stat: How did you get your name? 

Cruiser: I […]

National Cat Week: Cruiser the Stat Cat2024-10-22T14:15:58-04:00

National Preparedness Month

 

September is National Preparedness Month. This is an annual reminder to have a family plan in place for natural disasters and emergencies. While you may not be located in a region that has experienced extreme weather events, it’s important that you always have a plan in place and necessary supplies in your home in case something occurs. 

Some tips that are helpful to make sure you’re prepared: 

  • Check on your first aid kit and be sure that it’s fully stocked with supplies. 
  • Make sure at least one member of your family knows how to provide CPR.
  • Have a family communication plan in place.
  • Research and make sure your insurance covers hazards and natural disasters.
  • Make sure you have at least a three day supply of food and water in your home.
  • Have an emergency kit in your car.
  • Ensure that […]
National Preparedness Month2024-09-27T10:52:26-04:00
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