At the time, the idea was fairly new--fly critically injured patients in a helicopter to the area's most comprehensive hospital. Now, 25 years later, AirCare remains a valuable and effective tool for saving lives.

The Air and Mobile Critical Care Service Program was established in early 1979 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. At the time, it was one of the first 12 helicopter transport programs in the U.S.

Now 25 years later, AirCare teams have flown more than 20,000 flights. It's a fast, effective way for Eastern Iowans to get access to critical care when they need it most.

"We have a lot of people who live a long way from any big hospital. There are smaller hospitals that aren't really set up to do major trauma. If there's any way we can get those folks to an area where they can do major trauma, then we've done those people a service," says Andrew Nugent, M.D., assistant professor and medical director of UI Emergency Treatment Center and AirCare.

AirCare in Iowa City combines with a second helicopter in Waterloo to make nearly 1,000 life-saving flights each year.

"The helicopter has touched such a large number of citizens in Iowa, both indirectly or directly, either transporting the patients themselves or a family member," says Jeff Lipcamon, R.N., AirCare staff nurse.

The AirCare team works with nearly 100 emergency medical services, fire, and law programs in the region. It also transports patients from 57 different hospitals.

On an average day, two nurses and a pilot fly to three different accident scenes. The on-board team is specially trained in emergency medicine.

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Andrew Nugent, M.D.