ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996 TAG: 9607190008
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
Terry Lovell, Jeff McKinney and Patsy Stovall are only three of the people who make up the larger Life-Guard 10 crew. In many ways, these crew members are like a family or combat unit, drawn close by the remarkable pressures of their work.
In 1995, 60 percent of the 502 patients they transported were trauma cases. They treated another seven patients who died on the ground before they could be transported.
It's a group that has to work on its own. In the sky, there isn't an army of doctors and nurses and other support people to lend a helping hand.
``They've got only the resources on the helicopter,'' says Dr. Carol Gilbert, the program's medical director from Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. ``So, they learn to rely on each other.''
Life-Guard is one of 194 medical helicopter programs operating in the United States, according to the Association of Air Medical Services.
It covers a territory stretching 60 miles around Roanoke, from Lexington to Lynchburg to Martinsville to Wytheville, and portions of West Virginia. It is based out of Roanoke Memorial because it is the only hospital in the region with a Level One trauma center.
The program was started in 1981 by 10 doctors at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem. Thus, the moniker. In 1982, the program was bought by Roanoke Memorial and moved to the hangar between McClanahan Street and the River's Edge Sports Complex, near the hospital. The hangar includes offices and living quarters for the crew that's on duty.
In some ways, Gilbert downplays Life-Guard's significance, emphasizing that its role is only part of a group effort involving a variety of people, from local rescue workers to members of the hospital trauma team.
But she also acknowledges Life-Guard's unique value in terms of sheer speed, and the level of care the Life-Guard crew can offer by having both a nurse and a paramedic on board. Few ground ambulances can make that claim.
The program is staffed around the clock.
Lovell, 45, is one of four pilots at Life-Guard. The other pilots are Ed Coleman, Mike Fields and Carl Rosapepe. Combined, they have nearly 100 years of experience as helicopter pilots, and 36 years with Life-Guard.
McKinney, 32, is one of six paramedics. The others are Kerry Armentrout, Drew Slemp, Eddie Chitwood, Mike Unroe and Jeff Lawson. Together, they have more than 50 years of experience as paramedics; 20 years with Life-Guard.
Stovall is one of five flight nurses along with Carl Cline, Dennis Cotellese, Lynn Kiser and Dave Linkous. Among them, they have 60 years of nursing experience; 35 with Life-Guard. Stovall joined Life-Guard in 1985.
The program also is supported by a department secretary, Rosanne Hix; two mechanics, Mark Hannon and Cavin Atkins; and an administrative director, Rick McCraw.
Perhaps the most telling testimony about Life-Guard comes from the rescue workers in the counties that surround Roanoke. They view the Life-Guard crew much like rescue all-stars, even celebrities of sorts.
Down the line, they all say the same thing.
If they were seriously hurt, they would want Life-Guard.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Life-Guard 10 pilot Terry lovell takes the crew to theby CNBaccident scene. color. ERIC BRADY STAFF